Terese B. Hartman, Ph.D.
Professor
English Department
Lynchburg College
434/544-8274
hartman@lynchburg.edu
Courses and Announcements
Experience/Background
I began teaching at Lynchburg College in 1987. During my tenure at the College, I have taught both undergraduate and graduate students.
I have made several academic trips abroad which have influenced the choice of course materials that I use in my classes. Particularly my trips to Egypt, China, and India have allowed me to incorporate works from non-Western traditions in my courses.
When I am asked by students why I majored in English, I find the question an easy one to answer. I think that there is a fundamental need in me to which English responds and which no other major could fulfill. Since I was young, I felt drawn toward books, writing, studying, and talking about English.
Even though I am unsure about the need I feel that first drew me to English, I can tell you about the feelings I've always had regarding English: I feel lost if I go somewhere and I don't have something to read; I feel mildly frantic if I get an idea and I don't have a computer or paper and pen to write it down; I feel lonely when I don't have anyone with whom to talk when I've finished reading a book that I was sorry to see end or, for that matter, a book I couldn't wait to end and wondered why I didn't like it; I feel excited when I can have these discussions and never want them to stop; and I feel intellectually alive when I do research and learn something new and love the feeling of my brain working in fast motion.
For me, books are like my close friends without whom I could not live. That's why I majored in English. If you would like to talk about the English major or minor, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address above.
Degrees and Certifications
Ph.D. in English
State University of New York at Buffalo
M.A. in English
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
B.S. in English
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Universita di Milano, Certification of Italian Language Competency
Professional/Research Interests
I continue to be fascinated by Henry James, his works, and his influence on past and contemporary authors. I recently gave a paper at the Fourth International Conference of the Henry James Society in Newport, Rhode Island. The title of my paper was as follows: "Architectual and Spatial Reflections in Henry James' The Aspern Papers."
Another of my research interests has been in the realm of pedagogy. I believe the Confucian quote that "What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand." I've been delving into the types of methodologies that I could incorporate into my teaching to help my students to understand the material and take ownership of their learning.
I am currently working on expanding my paper on Henry James' The Aspern Papers. Likewise, I am exploring the relationship between Existentialism and Hinduism.
I am constantly trying to make my literature and culture classes more inclusive of other cultures, so that they really reflect more than Western tradition.
Honors and Awards
2004: Geraldine Lyon Owen Professor of English
2003: Shirley E. Rosser Award for Excellence in Teaching
2003: Academic Advisor of the Year Award
1998: Mary Frances Turner Leadership Award
1992: Phi Eta Sigma membership
1987: Oral Comprehensive Exam Passed with Distinction
Information on Courses Taught
I teach Literature and Culture I, II, which begin with the earliest literature up to the present. I try to teach the literature within these courses comparatively, using the texts from different cultures and time frames as a way of informing ideas and themes common to the human condition.
In the past, I taught the American Literature sequence, Purtians-1950. These courses are taught as two-semester, upper level courses. The thrust of these courses is heavily historical; the students are asked to think about what makes American literature so unique to our country, what does it tell us about the milieu in which each work was written, and what does it show us about ourselves?
Finally, I recently taught a graduate course on Mark Twain which traced Twain's writing historically from the beginning of his writing career to those works which were published posthumously.
Professional Associations
Modern Language Association
The Henry James Society
Southern Atlantic Modern Language Association
MESA International Society
Personal Information
Beyond the classroom, I enjoy reading, particularly historical novels, traveling, and watching films. I am married to Michael Hartman, an ER physician; we have five children and three grandchildren.
Some say that life is a journey. If that be the case then, "Missing me one place search another/I stop somewhere waiting for you" (Walt Whitman). Best regards!