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Jacobs, Karen

Associate Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • Dr. Jacobs specializes in 20th- to 21st-century American literature, visual culture, and critical and environmental theory.

keywords

  • Twentieth- and twenty-first-century American literature, modernism and postmodernism, visual culture and text-image studies, postmodern space, postmodern body, contemporary ecofictions, posthumanist theory, the experimental novel, women writers, critical theory, literary and narrative theory, environmental and ecological theory, feminist, gender and sexuality theory, literature and representations of the Holocaust

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • ENGL 2112 - Introduction to Literary Theory
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
    This course introduces students to a wide range of critical theories essential to the study of literature. Critical theories have broad applications because they provide ways to interpret all cultural products, including visual arts, music, and writing. We will investigate some of the major movements relevant to literary studies, which may include, for example, cultural studies, structuralism, feminisms, ecocriticism, critical race theories, postmodern theory, media theories, etc.
  • ENGL 3246 - Topics in Popular Culture
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2022
    Studies special topics in popular culture; specially designed for English majors. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours for different topics.
  • ENGL 4026 - Special Topics in Genre, Media, and Advanced Writing
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2023
    Studies theoretical and historical approaches to genre, media, and writing at the advanced level. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
  • ENGL 4039 - Capstone in Literary Studies
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2023
    Topic varies by section, but all sections include small seminar discussions and focus on an individualized research project related to the topic. This course will draw on skills from previous courses in critical reading, thinking, and writing and will culminate in high-level discussions and in the final project. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
  • ENGL 4685 - Special Topics in American Literature
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
    Explores a special topic in American literature. May be repeated for a total of 9 units for different topics.
  • ENGL 4820 - Honors Seminar
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2020
    Prepares prospective honors students to write honors theses. Focuses on sharpening the skills needed to write a successful thesis, including research techniques and the ability to evaluate and respond to secondary materials. Required for Honors in English Literature.
  • ENGL 4830 - Honors Thesis
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2019
    Students accepted to English Departmental Honors are enrolled in this course.
  • ENGL 5549 - Studies in Special Topics 2
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2019
    Studies special topics that focus on a theme, genre, or theoretical issue not limited to a specific period or national tradition. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
  • ENGL 6959 - Master's Thesis
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2024
  • ENGL 7119 - Advanced Literature and Culture of the United States
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2020
    Studies special topics in writing of the United States. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.

Background

awards and honors

International Activities

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