Susan Dearing

Associate Professor of English

Office: Meneely 309
Phone: 508-286-3600
Email: sdearing@wheatoncollege.edu

Degrees

M.A., Lesley College
B.A., Brown University

Main Interests

Composition theory and pedagogy; teaching English as a second language; cross-cultural communication; writing strategies for students with learning differences.

Research Interests

I am currently working on a book exploring ways Buddhist teachings can be applied to the teachig of writing. For many years, I have also been interested in what can be learned from the journal writing of students in writing classes and whether there are significant gender differences in such writing.

Teaching Interests

I am most interested in helping students find effective strategies for improving their writing. Because there is no single writing process that works for everyone, a lot of my teaching involves conferring with developing writers about what does and does not work for them and then suggesting new practicies they might adopt. As a teacher of two courses that prepare undergraduates to serve as peer tutors, I focus on the importance of understanding why writers do what they do when they write.

Other Interests

Meditation, bluegrass music, and cajun dancing.