I am a PhD candidate in the English Department and have been a composition instructor for more than a decade. As an instructor, my focus is on demystifying the writing process and helping students understand that writing is not an inherited talent. Rather, it is a skill that we can all develop and improve. The goal in all of my courses is for each student to establish a set of writing skills that will be useful outside of our classroom. I have studied and written on a wide variety of topics from sports and video games to Latin American migration patterns and the long history of Central American civil wars. I encourage all of my students to similarly let their interests influence what they read and write.
Courses Typically Taught:
- Writing 50
- Writing 60
Themes Typically Taught:
- Writing 50: Magical Realism
- Writing 60: Video Games and Technology
Course Descriptions:
- WR50: A unique form of fiction, magial realism has been used to confront and wrestle with real social and historical events. In this course we will explore what magical realism is and how real-life events have been viewed and understood through this type of writing.
- WR60: In this course we will read about, discuss, and investigate various ways in which video games, video game culture, and video game technology interact with culture and society in the U.S. We will also consider the ways in which video games impact current and historical debates.
Textbooks Needed:
- WR50: One required text (anthology or novel); additional texts provided on Canvas.
- WR60: Texts provided on Canvas.
Email: brianjf@uci.edu