The University of St. Thomas

College of Arts & Sciences | Department of English

Erika Scheurer

Erika Scheurer

Erika Scheurer

Associate Professor of English/Director of Writing Across the Curriculum Program

ecscheurer@stthomas.edu
Phone: (651) 962-5669

Office Location: JRC 347
Courses taught in Spring 2013
ENGL 325-02
21913		 Tpc:Writers Grappling with God 1055-1200 M W F MCH 235

4 Credit Hours

In Genesis 32, Jacob famously wrestles with God. He is not alone, however! From Biblical times through the present day, human beings have grappled with God--not physically, but through literary expression. In this interdisciplinary course, co-taught by professors in theology and English, we will look at how literary language and forms are used by writers to engage key theological questions. Together, we'll explore theological themes such as creation, redemption, faith and doubt, and good and evil in novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. If you would like to spend a semester reading, writing, and talking about engaging literature connected to theological issues, then this is the course for you! This is a cross-listed course, meaning that 10 seats are offered by the Theology Department under THEO 448-01 and 10 seats are offered by the English Department under ENGL 325-02. Students who register for this course under either department may satisfy the third core course requirement in theology, though students may not earn core credit for both theology and literature and writing. For English majors and minors, this course counts as a 300-level elective. Prerequisite: ENGL 121 and/or ENGL 201, 202, 203, and 204.

Academic History

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
M.A., University of Delaware 
B.A., College of Notre Dame (Maryland) 
At St. Thomas since 1993

Expertise/Specialties

Composition Theory and Pedagogy
Emily Dickinson

Selected Publications

“'[S]o of course there was Speaking and Composition--': Emily Dickinson’s Early Schooling as a Writer.” Emily Dickinson Journal Spring 2009.

"From the Prairie to the World: Patricia Hampl and Emily Dickinson." Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin November/December 2002.

Instructor's Manual, Motives for Writing Fourth edition (Robert K. Miller), McGraw-Hill, 2002.

"Connecting with Students Labeled 'At Risk:' Serious Play on the Court and in the Classroom." Minnesota English Journal 31.2  (Fall 2001): 95-103.

"Notes Toward a Theory of Constructive Praise" in Relocating Praise: Literary Modalities and Rhetorical Contexts. Ed. Alice G. den Otter. Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press, Inc., 2000.

"'It's the Way that They Talk to You': Increasing Agency in Basic Writers through a Social Context of Care." Journal of Basic Writing 19.2: 72-92 (co-written with Joan Piorkowski)

"A Portrait of David Porter." (Dickinson Scholars Series) Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin. 12.2: 6-7

"Connecting Letter Writing and 'Real Life' in the College Writing Class." Reflective Activities: Helping Students Connect with Texts. Eds. Louann Reid and Jeff Golub. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English, 1999. 93-99.

Review of. Orzeck, Martin, and Robert Weisbuch, eds. Dickinson and Audience for the Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin 9.1 (1997): 17-18.

"'Near, but remote': Emily Dickinson's Epistolary Voice." The Emily Dickinson Journal 4.1 (1995): 86-107.

"Collaborative Writing." Teaching in Process: Multimedia Resources for Writing Teachers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995 (Software).

Selected Conference Presentations

"The Education of a Poet: Learning to Write with Amplitude." Emily Dickinson International Society International Conference: Realms of Amplitude. August 1, 2004, Hilo, Hawaii.

"Making Composition Matter to Basic Writing Students." Conference of College Composition and Communication, March 27, 2004, San Antonio, TX.

"From 'Basic' to 'Intensive': A Program Based on Challenge and Support." With Dr. Sherry Jordon, Dr. Joan Piorkowski, and Mr. Tony Lewno. The New Basics: What Students Need to Know Now. Professional Development Conference of the Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching & Learning.  November 14, 2003, Bloomington, MN

"Balking the Professors: Dickinson Teaching Us How to Teach (Dickinson)." Modern Language Association, December 27, 2001, New Orleans, LA

Invited Participant. Symposium for the Study of Writing and the Teaching of Writing. Special Topic: Voice in Text. University of Massachusetts-Amherst. July 11-20, 2000.

"Call It Intensive: A New Name for an Evolving Field." Conference on College Composition and Communication, Atlanta, Georgia. March 1999.

"Notes Towards a Theory of Constructive Praise." Literary Modalities of Praise, Thunder Bay, Ontario. October 1998.

"A Question for Portfolio Evaluation: What to Do when Attitude Precedes Performance?" Inside Portfolios: Interpreting the Cultural Artifacts of Literacy (National Council of Teachers of English Professional Development Services Programs), San Jose. January 1998.

"Contexts in which Basic Writers Assume Responsibility for their Own Literacy: Two Case Studies" (with Joan Piorkowski). Conference on College Composition and Communication, Phoenix. March 1997.

"Writing Across Metaphor: Writing Like Basketball." University of New Hampshire Conference: Writing Across ... Disciplines, Genres, Cultures, Durham. October 1996.

"'I Just Kind of Deal with it Myself: Basic Writing Students Talk About Asking for Help" (with Joan Piorkowski). Conference on College Composition and Communication, Milwaukee. March 1996.

"Near, but remote': Emily Dickinson's Dialogic Voice." Emily Dickinson International Society Conference: Emily Dickinson Abroad, Innsbruck. August 1995.

"Dickinson and Bakhtin: A Dialogue" American Literature Association Conference, Baltimore. May 1995.