Pamela Asmus

Education

Ph.D., Brown University
Dissertation: The Rise and Fall of the Anglo-Saxon Myth in the United States 1770-1954
Certificate of Advanced Study, Wesleyan University
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Wesleyan University

Dr. Asmus’ research and teaching reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary studies.  Her dissertation, The Rise and Fall of the Anglo Saxon Myth in America, focuses on the development of racial myths and their impact on literature and public policy.  A chapter of the dissertation served as the basis of a paper “With God on Our Side:  Sectionalism, Secessionism, and the Anglo Norman Myth” which she presented at the Mid-West MLA in November 2011 and is under consideration for inclusion in a collection of essays to be published by MLA in commemoration of the 150-year anniversary of the Civil War.

She is also very interested in women’s literature and history and has taught two courses which focused on the struggle of American women to find a voice and place in American society.  These courses led to a paper, “From Fortunate Sisterhood to Unfortunate Rivalry,” which was presented at the College English Association Conference. 

Dr. Asmus has also taught courses that focus on minority writers and immigrant writers.  In March she will be presenting “Immigrant Literature:  Growing Up in Two Worlds and Crashing into Borders” at the CEA Conference.

Courses Taught

E 105 Composition

E110 Composition & Literature

From Boom to Depression: Literature, History, and Culture in the 1920 and 1930s

Women in American History and Literature

Immigrant Literature

African Literature

“And the Times They Were A‘Changing:”  History, Literature and Culture in the 1950s and 1960s

Independent study: Caribbean Literature