Source: Karin Westman, 785-532-2171, westmank@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-6415, ebarcomb@k-state.edu
Friday, May 25, 2007
NEW HEAD OF K-STATE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SAYS FOCUS WILL INCLUDE CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, TECHNOLOGY, DIVERSITY AND INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's department of English is working to enhance its emphasis on children's literature, integrate technology and boost diversity, according to the new department head.
Karin Westman, associate professor and the department's technology coordinator, will succeed Linda Brigham, associate professor, as department head beginning June 17.
Westman said one of the department's priorities in the coming year will be the new graduate track in children's literature. Joining the faculty will be Erica Hateley, whose research and teaching interests include adaptations of Shakespeare for young audiences. Westman said another new faculty member, Han Yu, will teach the new course Written Communication for the Workplace and other courses in technical and professional writing as the department expands its professional writing courses. Westman also said the department will join others at K-State to develop interdisciplinary courses for the new humanities commons, housed at 217 Willard Hall.
"These courses will integrate technology, culture and writing, allowing students to create the type of multimedia projects expected in the workplace," Westman said.
The department of English also is expanding its efforts to prepare K-State students for a diverse world, Westman said. The department has recently revised its 100-level expository writing class to include diversity writing, and the department will be offering more selections of the 300-level course, Selected American Ethnic Literature.
Westman joined K-State in 2000 as a visiting assistant professor. She became an assistant professor in 2002 and was promoted to associate professor in 2006. Her teaching interests include 20th-century and contemporary British literature, women's literature, the history of the novel, and technology and information literacy.
She is the author of "Pat Barker's Regeneration: A Reader's Guide" and is completing the manuscript this summer for her next book, "J. K Rowling's Library: Harry Potter in Context." She has another book in progress about British women novelists. She has received numerous awards at K-State, including a William L. Stamey Excellence in Teaching Award, three departmental graduate faculty awards for distinguished teaching and distinguished service, and three faculty development awards. Westman earned a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, graduating magna cum laude; and her doctorate and her master's degree from Vanderbilt University.