Department of Languages and Literature

ELLEN BARKER

Department of Languages and Literature Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana 70310 985-448-4445 [email protected]

EDUCATION: 1996 Ph. D. Georgia State University, Atlanta Emphasis: Rhetoric/Composition Cognate: Contemporary American Literature

Examination Areas: Composition Theory and Pedagogy; Modern and Ancient Rhetorical Theory (both areas with distinction); Contemporary American Literature; Renaissance Poetry and Prose

1980 M. A. University of Missouri -- Columbia Modern and Contemporary American Literature

1976 B. S. Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana English Education

DISSERTATION: Stage Directions as Narrative: A Rhetorical Analysis of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie Committee: George Pullman, Director Matthew Roudane, Lynee Gaillet

My dissertation advances Wayne Booth’s argument that fiction is a form of rhetoric by applying many of his principles to drama, using Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie as a case study. Working with both Booth and theories presented by theatre semiotician Michael Issachoroff, I assert that stage directions are a vital tool for the dramatist as “implied author” (Booth) or as “rhetor” because they are carefully orchestrated rhetorical devices used to gain control of and manipulate an audience’s response to drama. In tandem with dialogue, they are part of the dramatist’s “writerly agency” to control the text and to produce a desired effect upon an audience, and as such, they function in much the same way as narration in fiction.

RELEVANT GRADUATE COURSE WORK: Rhetoric and Composition: Rhetorical Theory and the Teaching of English; Ancient Rhetoric: History and Application; Doctoral Colloquium, Contemporary Rhetorical Theory; Directed Reading, Kenneth Burke and Wayne Booth; Special Readings, Assessment of Scholarship and Professional Journals in Rhetoric and Composition Theory; Bakhtin Seminar

American Literature: Modern/Contemporary Novel; Modern/Contemporary Drama; American Romanticism, poetry and prose; Faulkner seminar; American folklore

RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS: Modern composition theory and pedagogy; minority rhetoric; feminist rhetoric and theory; women’s literature; ethnic literatures; post-modern American literature ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE: July 1, 2010 Acting Department Chair, Department of Languages and Literature, Nicholls State University

Fall 2004-2008 Writing Program Administrator, Texas A&M International University Responsible for training and evaluation of adjunct faculty and TA’s; redesigned curriculum for First Year Writing Program; created minor in rhetoric and composition; introduced and developed curriculum for thirteen writing courses at the upper division; developed a certificate program in writing; developed an MA in rhetoric and composition; maintained QEP guidelines for SACS

Fall 2006-2008 Site Director, South Texas Writing Project, Texas A & M International University This is an affiliate site of the National Writing Project, the largest professional development network in the U. S. Responsible for operating the Summer Institute, Advanced Institutes, New Teacher Institutes, the Fall Conference, all staff development, in-service, afternoon and weekend programs

Fall 2007-2008 Writing Across the Curriculum Coordinator, Texas A & M International University Responsible for delivering workshops about writing to faculty across the disciplines; organizing capstone courses in other disciplines and integrating writing assignments; maintained QEP guidelines for SACS

Spring 2004 Interim Associate Department Chair, Humanities, Georgia Perimeter College

1995-1999 Associate Department Chair, Humanities, Georgia Perimeter College Responsible for between fifty-five and sixty-five adjunct instructors per semester in English, reading, journalism, communications, and philosophy. Interviewed, hired, completed paperwork, observed, evaluated, and had conferences with contingent faculty; each faculty member was observed and evaluated yearly. Handled student complaints and concerns. Conducted workshops for adjunct faculty on a variety of pedagogical issues. Led intensive training sessions for new and returning faculty.

1980-1984 Administrative Intern to Department Chair, Ball State University

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Fall 2008 Professor, Belle and Leonard Toups, Endowed Chair in English/Writing Full Professor Nicholls State University

Duties of Holder of Endowed Chair:  Advising department head in Languages and Literature, dean, faculty and administration: programs, activities, courses to develop effective writing among students  Developing communication, programs, activities with area schools, faculty, to improve writing skills  Providing leadership in the development of graduate and undergraduate concentrations or degrees in writing  Providing leadership in the development of collegial and effective pedagogies and assessments related to student writing  Conducting three seminars per semester for faculty members devoted to current research in the teaching of composition and on designing writing assignments appropriate for undergraduate students  Enhancing University’s Writing Across the Curriculum program  Conducting research in the teaching of writing and literature to undergraduates and to make that research public in an appropriate manner  Assisting in the development of a web page containing resources available for teachers of writing and literature  Establishing formal relationships with all regional educational institutions that teach writing/literature  Teaching six hours per semester.

Course Summary: 101 Freshman Composition 102 Freshman Composition 210 Ethnic Women Writers, web-based 210 Native American Literature 210 African Literature, web-based 264 Advanced Grammar 266 Creative Nonfiction 366 Advanced Writing 368 Technical Writing, web-based 465 Current Trends in Rhetoric and Composition Theory, web-based 507 Rhetorical Theory and the Teaching of Writing

2004-2008: Associate Professor, Texas A&M International University

Course Summary: 1301 First Semester of the First Year Writing Program 1302 Second Semester of the First Year Writing Program 3300 Advanced Composition 3301 Writing Across the Disciplines 3302 Nonfiction Prose Writing 3361 Rhetorical Theory and the Teaching of Composition 4395 Current Trends in Rhetoric and Composition Theory 4465 Ethnic Identities: Native American Literature 5365 Seminar in Rhetoric AP English/Writing Coordinator for Junior Level English, United School District

1992-2004: Associate Professor, Georgia Perimeter College

Composition: Literature: Course Summary: Developmental Studies Composition, I & II Survey of American Literature, I & II Freshmen Expository Writing Women’s Literature Freshmen Composition for ESL Students Native American Literature Freshmen Writing and Literature Survey of World Literature, I & II CAI Composition Regents’ Preparation for ESL Students Regents’ Preparation Composition

2000-2004: Shorter College, Adjunct, Writing Specialist, Adult Education Program Course Summary: 1110 Written Communication for Adults 1120 Written Communication and Literary Analysis 3310 American-Business Culture in Novels and Film 3360 Professional Communication and Business Writing 5250 Seminar in Executive Communication, Business and Technical Writing 5251 Seminar in Power Writing for Business

Teaching Experience as Full-time Contract Faculty: 1987-1992: State University of West Georgia, Carrollton 1985-1987: Eastern Oregon State University, LaGrande 1984-1985: University of Tennessee, Knoxville 1980-1984: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Cumulative Course Summary as Full-time Contract Faculty: Basic Writing Survey of American Literature, I & II Freshmen Composition Survey of British Literature, I & II Intermediate Prose Writing Introduction to Literature Literature and Composition Technical Writing Research Writing Composition for the Non-Traditional Student

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Fall 2010 Quality Matters Certification, creating on-line courses

Fall 2010 Freshman Composition Symposium with Bruce Ballenger, Nicholls State University

Fall 2008 South Texas Writing Project Fall Conference, organized conference and arranged for Bruce Ballenger as keynote speaker

Fall 2007 South Texas Writing Project Fall Conference, organized conference and arranged for Sheridan Blau, past NCTE president, as keynote speaker

Fall 2006 South Texas Writing Project Fall Conference, organized conference and arranged for Carlos Flores, Our House on Hueco Street, as keynote speaker

Fall 2006 SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), Member of Reaffirmation Team and Quality Enhancement Plan Consultant for a college in Florida

Fall 2006 Early College High School/TAMIU Curriculum Committee and Consultant, Bill Gates Foundation School, responsible for curriculum alignment and development for writing and literature courses

GRANTS AND AWARDS: Spring 2010 Pearson/Longman Travel Grant for CCCC’s, $1200.00

Fall 2008 Belle and Leonard Toups, Endowed Chair in Writing and English, Nicholls State University

Spring 2007 South Texas Writing Project, Continuation Grant for $42,000.00

Fall 2006 Ford Grant, Smithsonian Project, South Texas Writing Project for $1,000.00

Fall 2006 Nominated: Minnie Stevens Piper Award for Excellence in Teaching

Spring 2006 South Texas Writing Project, Continuation Grant for $42,000.00

Spring 2004-06 Nominated for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers

Summer 2000 State of Georgia Chancellor’s Award, Cuba Language, Culture, and Educational Study

Summer 1998 Fulbright Grant, Tunisia College Composition Programs; Literature Programs; Effects of Modernization on Women in Education in Muslim Culture

1990.1995 SGA Academic Affairs and Honor Society Council Achievement Award, Georgia State University

CURRENT ACADEMIC SERVICE: Chair, Ad Hoc Committee to Conduct Feasibility Study for an M. A. in English Master Advisor

CURRENT COMMUNITY SERVICE: the Porch, 7th Ward Cultural Center, New Orleans, board member

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Modern Language Society National Council for Teachers of English Rhetoric Society of America

TEACHING ABROAD: Summer 2000, 1999 Survey of British Literature I & II; Literary Landscapes of England University of Surrey at Roehampton

Summer 1986 Expository Writing; Introduction to Literature Community College of Micronesia, Moen, Truk

WRITING CENTER EXPERIENCE: 1985-1987: Co-Director of Writing Center, Eastern Oregon State University Co-wrote Writing Center Grant; Assisted in Developing and Coordinating Center; Trained Peer and Faculty Tutors; Faculty Tutor

1980-1984: Faculty Writing Center Tutor, Ball State University

CONTINUING EDUCATION: 1984.1987 Selected Topics in Writing Religion and Modern Fiction Eastern Oregon State University, LaGrande

Winter 1987 Grant Writing Composition Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Warm Springs, Oregon

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE: T. J. Elder Junior High School, Sandersville, Georgia English Teacher for grades nine and ten Reading Coordinator

REFERENCES: John Micheal Crafton, Interim Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Clayton State University, Atlanta (678) 466-4100, [email protected]

Deborah Preston, Dean for Fine, Performing, and Visual Arts, Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland, (240) 567-5031, [email protected]

Nasser Momayezi, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Clayton State University, Atlanta (678) 466-4700, [email protected] (formerly at Texas A & M International)

Jeffrey Cass, Dean of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisiana, Monroe (318) 342-1750, [email protected] (formerly at Texas A & M International) Kim McDonald, Instructor, English Department, University of New Orleans, Louisiana (504) 280-6275, [email protected]

Stuart Noel, Department Chair, Humanities Department, Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta (678) 891-3986, [email protected]

Michael Hall, Associate Department Chair, Humanities Department, Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta (678) 891-3979, [email protected]

Wanda Creaser, Department of Language and Literature, Texas A&M International University, Laredo (956) 326-2660, [email protected]

Mary Trevino, Associate Vice-president for Academic Affairs, Texas A & M International University, Laredo (956) 326-2275, [email protected]

Veronica Martinez, Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Texas A & M International University, Laredo (956) 326-2323, [email protected]

MATERIALS PRODUCED FOR FIRST YEAR WRITING PROGRAM, Texas A & M International University: First Year Writing Program Student Handbook, spring 2008.

The Mercury Reader, editor for anthology of professional essays, Pearson/Longman, 2006 and 2008.

First Year Writing Program E-Book of Student Writing, editor for collection of writing samples, Pearson/Longman, 2006.

First Year Writing Program Faculty Handbook, 2006, revised annually.

First Year Writing Program Portfolio, 2006 and 2008.

Rubric, First Year Writing Program

MATERIALS PRODUCED FOR WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM, Nicholls State University: Nicholls State University Writing Connections Web Page Texas A & M International University: Faculty Handbook: Writing Intensive Senior Capstone Course

Faculty Handbook: Writing Across the Curriculum

Rubric, Writing Across the Curriculum

MATERIALS PRODUCED FOR MASTERS PROGRAM Nicholls State University: “Letter of Intent,” approved by Board of Supervisors, 2009.

MATERIALS PRODUCED FOR WRITING WORKSHOPS Nicholls State University and Area Schools: “Advice on Grading,” 2010

“How to Handle the Paperload,” 2010

“Writing the Community Profile,” 2010

“Creating the Model Syllabus for Freshman Composition,” 2010 “Grading Models,” 2010

“Writing Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences,” 2010

“Why the Conclusion Matters,” 2010

“Brief Survey of Writing Programs Nationally,” 2009.

“Quick Guide for Best Practices in the Teaching of Writing,” 2009.

“Adding Details to Writing,” 2009.

“Using Popular Magazines to Teach Thesis Statements,” 2009.

“Creating a Comprehensive Writing Program,” 2008.

“Making a Case for the Common Course Syllabus,” 2008.

PUBLICATIONS: “The Position of Women’s Magazines and the Perpetuation of the Myth: ‘A Woman’s Place Is in the Home.’” Exploring Communities. Eds. Gloria Mason Henderson and Sandra Stevenson Waller. New York: McGraw-Hill, expected publication date, spring 2011.

“Teaching Literacy and Empathy: Students ‘Reading’ Katrina.” English in Texas. Spring/Summer 2009.

“A Tennessee Farmer.” Louisiana English Journal. Spring 2009.

“What’s Behind a Cover?: A Method to Teach Critical Analysis to Students of Writing.” English in Texas. Spring/Summer 2007.

“’Mothering the Mind’: The Relationship Between Celie and Shug in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Critical Essays on Alice Walker. New Haven: Greenwood Press, 1999. 55-65.

“Art of Discovery: Experiencing Kate Chopin’s ‘The Storm.’” Studies in the Social Sciences. 31 (1993): 61-71.

“The When, Where, How, and Why of Conferencing: A Summary and Interpretation of a Teacher Survey.” Resources in Education. March 1988. (ERIC Reports, ED 297 327)

“’Queen of the House’ and ‘Bringing Up Hubby’: The Current Position of Women’s Magazines on the Changing Roles of Women.” Journal of American Culture. 11.4 (1988): 1-5.

PRESENTATIONS: “Creating a Feminist Rhetoric on the Border: One Hundred Years After La Cronica.” Conference On College Composition and Communication, Louisville, March 17-20, 2010.

“What Is Writing Across the Curriculum?” Nicholls State University Faculty Institute, Thibodaux, January 14, 2010.

“’Designing’ a Feminist Rhetoric in Laredo: La Cronica, Moving from Definition to Self-Definition.” College English Association, Pittsburgh, March 26-29, 2009.

“Writing Across the Curriculum: Linking Programs and Assessment.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, New Orleans, April 2-5, 2008.

“After the Storm: Students in Texas ‘Cleaning Up’ through Proposal Writing.” College English Association, April 12-14, 2007.

“Building Thesis Statements Using Magazine Covers.” South Texas Writing Project Fall Conference, December 2, 2006.

“Empowering Hispanic Students for Success in Writing.” Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Conference, October 28-31, 2006.

“Observing Colleagues in Crisis: A New Definition of Distance Learning.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, Chicago, March 23-26, 2006.

“Talking Writing: Peer Editing Approaches for Dual Language Writers.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Francisco, March 16-19, 2005.

“Where Do We Begin: Providing Constructive Evaluations and Comments for Writers Facing Multiple Challenges.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Antonio, March 24-27, 2004.

“What IS the Place of Grammar in the Composition Classroom?” South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Atlanta, November 15, 2003.

“The Current State of Native American Literature: ‘Motion of Fire and Form.’” Lecture. Wesley College, Dover, Delaware, November 9, 2000.

“Learning Global Issues in the Composition Classroom: A ‘Burkean’ Analysis of Nadine Gordimer’s ‘The Moment Before the Gun Went Off.’” African Literature Association. Fez, Morocco, March 10-13, 1999.

“Creating New Stories for a New Generation: The Role of the Native American Autobiography.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Atlanta, November 5-7, 1998.

“Are We Doing Our Students a Favor by Teaching CAI Courses?” Conference on College Composition and Communication, Phoenix, March 12-15, 1997.

“An Argument For/Against Using Computers in the Composition Classroom.” Debate for South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Atlanta, November 8-10, 1996.

“Learning to Transcend the Boundaries We Impose on Our Multicultural Classrooms.” Conference on College Composition, Milwaukee, March 27-30, 1996.

“Using Movies to Teach the Research Paper.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Atlanta, November 3-5, 1995.

“Emergency Writing.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Atlanta, November 4-6, 1993.

“Problems of Dialect Interference and the Problems We Create in Trying to Correct Them.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Diego, March 31- April 3, 1993.

“Guarding the Tower of Literacy: A Georgia Case Study.” National Association of Developmental English, Washington D. C., March 24-27, 1993.

“A Wayne Booth Reading of Sam Shepard’s True West.” National Popular/American Culture Association Conference, San Antonio, March 27-30, 1991. “When Dreams Confront Reality: Strindberg’s Dream Play. International Conference on Representing the Revolution in Literature and the Visual Arts, October 27-29, 1989.

“Student Perception of Audience: ‘Audience Addressed-Audience Invoked.” Penn State Conference of Rhetoric and Composition, July 12-15, 1989.

“Product and Process: In-Class Writing Strategies.” National Council of Teacher’s of English, Charleston, April 6-8, 1989.

“The Real-Imagined vs. the Real Experienced Audience: Students Writing to Other Students.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, Seattle, March 15-18, 1989.

“Talking Writing.” NCTE Northwest Regional Conference, April 21-23, 1988.

“The When, Where, How, and Why of Conferencing: A Summary and Interpretation of a Teacher Survey.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, St. Louis, March 17-19, 1988.

“Survey and Interpretation of Student/Teacher Responses to Collaboration During the Revising Process.” National Conference of American and Popular Culture, Atlanta, March 25-29, 1987.

“Successful Strategies for Collaborative Learning.” National Conference of American and Popular Culture, New Orleans, April 2-6, 1986.

“An Emerging Dialectic: The Current State of Literature and Research on Audience Analysis.” Conference on College Composition and Communication, New Orleans, March 13-15, 1986.

“A Process Approach to Peer Editing.” Wyoming Conference on Freshman and Sophomore English, July 25-29, 1984.

RECENT WORKSHOPS: For Nicholls State University faculty: “Current Pedagogy and Expectations,” Writing Center, August 2010

“What Can We Do About Grading?” April 2010

“Writing Profiles and Building Community,” April 2010

“Creating a Comprehensive Syllabus for Freshman Composition,” April 2010

“Creating Writing Assignment Rubrics,” December 2009

“Sharing Writing Assignments that Work,” November 2009

“Creating Writing Assignments,” October 2009

“What Many Writing Programs Have in Common: A Review of the Best of the Best,” April 2009.

“A Review of Best Practices for the Teaching of Writing,” March 2009.

“A Review of the National Trend to Remove the Teaching of Literature from Freshman Composition,” February 2009.

“A Review of the Letter of Intent and the M. A. Proposal in Rhetoric and Literature for the Department Of Languages and Literature.” December 2008. “Why Bringing a National Writing Project Site to Nicholls Would Be a Good Idea.” October 2008.

“The Advantages of the Common Course Syllabus for Freshman Composition,” September 2008.

For Area Schools: “Grading, Creating Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences, Current Pedagogical Trends.” Morgan City High School. July 13, 2010.

“Using Popular Magazines to Teach Thesis Statements”; “Teaching Students to Add Details in their Writing.” St. James Parish Schools, August 3, 2009.

“Adding Details to Writing.” John the Baptist Parish Schools, May 2, 2009.

PRAXIS Workshop, Terrebonne Parish, April 23, 2009.