Dr. Andrea R. Harbin

editor at netserf dot org /
aharbin at gmu dot edu

Education

The Catholic University of America, Ph.D. in English. Concentration in Medieval Literature, 2006
California State University, Sacramento, M.A. English Language and Literature, 1994
University of California, Davis, B.A. English Language and Literature, 1987

Dissertation

“Space and Movement on the Medieval English Religious Stage”

Dr. Stephen Wright

May 2006

This dissertation examines the various ways in which space and movement create meaning in medieval English religious drama. Space and movement function not only to illuminate the religious message of the text but also to define the community as both a civic entity and a ritual community. The use of movement in the drama underscores the religious message of the performance as an interpretation of scripture, delineates the absurdity of evil and the intentionality of good, and helps define York as a community, marking its boundaries and presenting its social structure through the presentation of the guilds within the plays. Furthermore, as a matter of religious ritual, the plays seem to draw the audience into a timeless participatory experience. Nor are these several “meanings” (civic, religious, personal, communal) incompatible, but rather operate together on different levels to form a complex whole.

Publications and Papers

“The Citizens of York and the Archetypal Christian Journey: Pilgrimage and Ritual in the York Cycle.” Medieval Perspectives XIV (1999): 84-98.
“Women Mentoring Women in the Academy” presented at the CCCC conference in San Francisco, March 16^th -19^th, 2005.
“The Wicked’s Wandering Ways: Movement of Good and Evil on the Late Medieval Stage” presented September 2001 at the Medieval-Renaissance Conference XV (The University of Virginia’s College at Wise).
“The Puy’s Imperfect Potter: Adam de la Halle and the Jeu de la Feuillée” presented May 1999 at the 34^th International Congress of Medieval Studies (Western Michigan University).
“The Citizens of York and the Archetypal Christian Journey: Pilgrimage and Ritual in the York Cycle” presented October 1998 at the Southeastern Medieval Association Convention.

Teaching Experience

Term Assistant Professor, George Mason University, Fall 2006 to present

Reading and Writing about Texts: Introduction to literature course focusing on teaching close reading of texts.
Advanced Composition: Intensive writing and analysis of texts from within the students’ field of study.
Composition: Freshman writing course centered on the question of how we construct our views of reality.

College Writing Instructor, American University, Fall 2001 to Spring 2006

Topics in Medieval Literature: Tolkien and his Medieval Sources, Literature 360/660: Summer 2005. We examined the medieval sources that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien, his own scholarship, and his works of fiction.
Honors English, Literature 130: Fall 2005.Freshman writing course for honors students.
College Writing, Literature 100: Fall 2001.Freshman writing course linked to Performance 115 course. This course was taught in conjunction with a performance course.
College Writing, Literature 100: Fall 2001 to Fall 2005. This interdisciplinary freshman writing course was centered either on the myth of the American West or on question of how we know what is real.
College Writing Seminar, Literature 101: Fall 2001 to Spring 2006. Second semester freshman writing course emphasizing longer researched argument. The theme for this course has been Death, Monsters, and Madness.

Teaching Assistant, The Catholic University of America, Fall 1994 to Spring 2001

Form and Value of Poetry, English 201: Spring 2001.Poetry course for non-majors.
Literature of Fantasy, English 205: Fall 1999, Summer 2000, Fall 2000. Course covering fantasy literature from the Middle Ages through modern times.
Writing Improvement Workshop, English 326: Fall 1998, Spring 1999.Interdisciplinary writing course in a networked computer classroom.Utilized Norton Textra Connect and WebCT.
Literature and Composition, English 102: Spring 1997, Fall 1998, Spring 1998.Developed thematic approach to the course using the "Seven Ages of Man." Created corresponding web site.
Rhetoric and Composition, English 111: Fall 1996. This course was part of a new program designed to integrate the students who needed additional help in English through the use of peer-group workshops.
Teaching Assistant for History of English Literature, English 222: Spring 1996. Led discussion sections, developed and graded class papers and quizzes, graded tests.
Rhetoric and Composition, English 101: Fall 1994 to Spring 1996. Taught in a computer-assisted classroom.

Adjunct Instructor, American University, Fall 1998 – Spring 1999

College Writing, Literature 101 & 102: Fall 1998, Spring 1999.Developed freshman writing course around the theme of the millennium and millenarian movements.Emphasized interdisciplinary approach.

Academic Service and Administrative Work

Assistant to the Director of the Writing Program (CUA): Summer 2000 – Summer 2001.

Reviewed plagiarism cases within the Writing Program. Reviewed transcripts for transferring students to determine credit for writing courses already taken. Reviewed portfolios for student placement in writing courses.

Assisted the Director in scheduling and teaching assignments for all writing courses. Conducted the orientation for new teaching assistants, Fall 2000. Conducted workshop for new teaching assistants in computer-aided instruction. Visited the classrooms to review new instructors.

Director of the Writing Center (CUA): Fall 1999 – Spring 2000.
Liaison between the English Department and the Center for Planning and Information Technology: Fall 1999 – Spring 2000.

Responsible for training and support of computer-assisted instruction within the Writing Program.

Academic Honors

The Roy Deferrari Scholarship. The Catholic University of America, Fall 1994 - Spring 1997
Member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, 1994

Professional Societies and Activities

Modern Language Association
Medieval Academy of America
Medieval and Renaissance Drama Society
Southeastern Medieval Association
Participant at the International Congress of Medieval Studies (Western Michigan University )

Languages

Old and Middle English
Latin (reading knowledge)
French (reading knowledge)
German (reading knowledge)
Middle Welsh (elementary reading knowledge)

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