Susan Ray
![Photo of Susan Ray](/sites/default/files/faculty/susan_ray/susan-ray.jpg)
Associate Professor
Communications, Arts & Humanities
Contact Information
Marple901 S. Media Line Road
Media, PA 19063
610-723-2000
Room Number: 4315
Phone: 610-723-1365
Contact Faculty
Degrees
- B.A. in English (Pennsylvania State University)
- M.A. in English, General Literature & Rhetoric (Binghamton University)
- Ph.D. in English, General Literature & Rhetoric (Binghamton University)
Academic Biography
PUBLICATIONS: 鈥"Redefining Isabella Thackeray鈥檚 Mental Illness鈥 (Forthcoming 2025) 鈥 "Disney鈥檚 Coco: The Power of Celebrity and its Impact on the Adolescent Mind." Social Order and Authority in Pixar Films. Rowan and Littlefield Publishers. (2023) 鈥 鈥淭he Experiment.鈥 Prosopisia Journal of Creative Writing. Ed. Moizur Khan (Fall 2019) 鈥 鈥淭he Imprint of the Western Dime Novel on Hard-boiled Pulp Fiction.鈥 Twentieth Century Literary Criticism Series. Gale Cenage. (2015) 鈥 鈥淓mpty Houses: Theatrical Failure and the Novel by David Kurnick.鈥 (Book Review). George Eliot鈥擥eorge Henry Lewes Studies. (September 2012) 鈥 鈥淭hackeray: Poking Holes in the Narrative of Empire.鈥 Victorians: a Journal of Culture and Literature. (Spring 2011) CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 鈥 鈥淭ranslating Victorian Insanity: Redefining Isabella Thackeray鈥檚 Mental Illness.鈥 Interdisciplinary Nineteenth Century Studies. Cincinnati, OH (March 2024) 鈥 鈥淭he Complaining of an English Curmudgeon: William Thackeray鈥檚 Accounts of International Travel.鈥 Interdisciplinary Nineteenth Century Studies. Knoxville, TN. (April 2023) 鈥 鈥淓lwell鈥檚 Little Nell: The Monument Dickens Never Wanted.鈥 INCS. Dallas, TX. (March 2019) 鈥 鈥淭racing William Thackeray鈥檚 Premonitions of a More Inclusive England.鈥 North American Victorian Studies Association. St. Petersburg, FL. (October 2018) 鈥 Conference Organizer and Co-Host. INCS. Philadelphia, PA. (March 2017).
Theoretical Approach, Experience, and Temperament
While I have been passionate about writing and language since childhood, I realize that not all of my students share my interests. During my fifteen years of teaching, I've learned that students put forth their most sincere efforts when they recognize how the skills mastered in our course will serve them outside of the classroom. Thus, I tell my students the most important accomplishments they can take from a college English class are the abilities to write confidently and to think critically. A believer in student-centered learning, I may open class with a brief lecture, but the lesson will always require student participation; this may include collectively answering discussion questions about our readings, peer editing, or group activities. Directly involving students in the learning process encourages them to engage with the material and inspires a collaborative environment. In terms of composition, I offer frequent low-stakes writing assignments and provide students with the opportunity to rewrite. This removes the stigma of looming paper deadlines and emphasizes that writing is a process and revision is the key to successful composition. Whether teaching a composition or traditional literature course, I believe one of the most important steps toward becoming a stronger, more confident writer and thinker is to read, discuss, and analyze well-written works. Additionally, assigning readings that students can relate to fosters lively class discussion and invites them to ask 鈥淲hy is this a strong piece of writing?" as well as 鈥淗ow could it be better?鈥 While a lifelong love of fiction led me to academia, the adventure of teaching lies at the heart of my career. As I continue to learn from both students and colleagues, my teaching strategies are evolving to better fit the needs of my students.
Scholarly Interests
- Composition studies; Victorian studies; Postcolonial studies; Pop culture studies.