REBECCA ANDERSON

EDUCATION
Ph.D., English Studies, Illinois State University, defended April 8, 2013
The Efficacy of the Turkish Nasreddin Hodja Tales in a Global Citizenship Pedagogy
My project investigates U.K. and U.S. publications (1695-2003) of Turkish folktales featuring a trickster-ish
character known as Nasreddin Hodja. Through contextualized textual analysis, I uncover evolutions in
global culture. My analysis focuses on interrogating language patterns correlating to shifts in cultural
anxieties about identity and difference. I apply my findings to the development of global citizenship
pedagogical theories and practices.
Chair: Roberta Seelinger Trites
Committee: K. Aaron Smith, Karen Coats
TESOL Graduate Certificate, Illinois State University
M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction Childrens Literature, Pennsylvania State University
B.A., English Literature, University of Maryland University College
B.S., Elementary Education, University of Maryland
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Primary: Victorian, Childrens, and Young Adult Literature; Applied Linguistics; Global Citizenship Pedagogy
Auxiliary: Cultural Studies; Rhetoric and Composition
PUBLICATIONS AND SCHOLARLY WRITING
But If You Take My Voice, What Will Be Left to Me?: Relationship Models for the Sacrifice of Identity in HC
Andersen and Disneys The Little Mermaid. Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-tale Studies. Under review.
Uncovering Unconscious Cultural Assumptions in Progressive Era Publications of Turkeys Nasreddin Hodja
Tales. Journal of the American Studies Association of Texas. November 2014.
Turkey: The Home of Ancient Monuments, Legendary Folklore Heroes and Eternal Hospitality. Fulbright U.S.
Student Blog, http://blogs.fulbrightonline.org/usapp/. July 2012.
The Nasreddin Hodja in 19th-Century United States Literature: Meanings Past and Lessons Present. Haceteppe
Universitys peer-reviewed, scholarly folklore journal, Trkiyat Aratrmalar 10 (2009), 5-11. Invited.
A Cultural Deconstruction of Mark Twains Writings about 1867 Turkey. Proceedings of the 7th Turkish Cultural
History Congress, Atatrk Kltr Merkezi, October 2009, 61-71.

Rebecca Anderson

TEACHING APPOINTMENTS
Pennsylvania State University, English Department, University Park, PA
Lecturer, Fall 2013 Present.
Courses designed and taught at PSU:
Current
Rhetoric and Composition for Global Citizens. (2 sections). Introductory course focusing on writing as a
process. In this multimodal course that emphasizes dialogic engagement practices, students study and
practice implementing rhetorical strategies, as well as exploring connections between these strategies and
global citizenship meanings and perspectives. Students produce a series of writing assignments that support
their ability to (1) develop rhetorical skills they will use throughout their academic and professional careers,
(2) influence the global community, and (3) achieve new perspectives about themselves and their learning
processes.
Courses taught at PSU:
World Campus: Rhetoric and Composition. (2 sections). Online introductory course focusing on writing
as a process. I create a learning environment that facilitates whole-class discussions, collaborative
engagement for peer review sessions, and timely communications between students and instructor.
Completed
Courses designed and taught at PSU:
Rhetoric and Composition for Global Citizens. (1 section). Fall 2014. Introductory course focusing on
writing as a process. In this multimodal course that emphasizes dialogic engagement practices, students
study and practice implementing rhetorical strategies, as well as exploring connections between these
strategies and global citizenship meanings and perspectives. Students produce a series of writing assignments
that support their ability to (1) develop rhetorical skills they will use throughout their academic and
professional careers, (2) influence the global community, and (3) achieve new perspectives about themselves
and their learning processes.
Honors Freshman Composition for Global Citizens. (1 section). Fall 2014. Intensive introductory
writing-as-a-process course for qualified students. Like Rhetoric and Composition for Global Citizens,
this is a multimodal course that emphasizes dialogic engagement practices. This course, however,
incorporates a literature component; students read a series of articles about global citizenship issues, about
which they produce reflective writings and participate in discussion activities. Students literature
engagement enriches their study and practice implementing rhetorical strategies, as well as their exploration
of connections between these strategies and global citizenship meanings and perspectives. Students produce
a series of writing assignments that support their ability to (1) develop rhetorical skills they will use
throughout their academic and professional careers, (2) influence the global community, and (3) achieve new
perspectives about themselves and their learning processes.

Rebecca Anderson

Courses taught at PSU:

World Campus: Rhetoric and Composition (3 sections): Summer 2014; Fall 2014. Online introductory
course focusing on writing as a process. I create a learning environment that facilitates whole-class
discussions, collaborative engagement for peer review sessions, and timely communications between
students and instructor.
Rhetoric and Composition (7 sections): Fall 2013; Spring 2014. Introductory course focusing on writing as
a process. I use multimodal approaches to engage students with the study and implementation of rhetorical
strategies in a series of writing assignments.
Illinois State University, English Studies Department, Normal, IL
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall 2007 Summer 2009; Fall 2010 Spring 2013
Courses designed and taught at ISU:
Literary Narrative (3 sections). A reading-intensive multimodal literature course for non-majors; twentiethand twenty-first century cross-cultural texts; theme: global citizenship identity.
Foundations in Literature for Children (4 sections). Introductory course for childrens literature
sequence; theme: global citizenship identity. I engaged students with the study of texts using theory and
analysis to explore the ways that classics and multicultural childrens books tell children how to see who they
are in relation to. -In relation to: their friends, their families, their local community, their global community, the
past, the present, and the future.
Advanced Composition (1 section). Theme: global citizenship identity. Writing course for students
seeking to hone their research and writing skills through the development of essays focusing on complex
and sophisticated subject topics.
Composition for Presidential Scholars (1 section). Researched-based writing course for Honors Program
students. Focused on writing across the academic disciplines.
Writing in the Academic Disciplines (1 section). Researched-based writing course focusing on writing
across the academic disciplines.
Composition as Critical Inquiry (7 sections). Introductory writing course. Taught rhetorical writing
approaches for assignments focusing on the theme of global citizenship identity.
Illinois State University, English Language Institute, Normal, IL
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Summer 2008 Summer 2009
Courses taught at ELI:
Lexicon (4 sections), Lexical Practice (6 sections), Current Events (4 sections), and Academic
Lectures (1 section). Taught intensive ESL courses to students with varying levels of English language
competence. I used multimodal instructional approaches to promote accessibility of instruction.

Rebecca Anderson

Pamukkale University, English Language Teaching and Hazrlk Programs, Denizli, Turkey
Fulbright English Teaching Fellow, Fall 2009 Spring 2010
Courses and instructional presentation series designed and taught at PAU:
Listening and Speaking Skills (2 sections). English language course for students preparing for careers as
English teachers. I used multimodal instruction, such as songs, movies, commercials, and other texts, to
support students listening and speaking skills development.
Speaking Skills (2 sections). English language course focusing on speaking skills for students preparing for
careers in the sciences. I promoted students confidence and fluency through their participation in a variety
of discussions and multimodal activities.
Discourse Analysis (1 section). Designed and taught advanced elective course in applied linguistics to
English language education students. Developed multimodal lecture format incorporating a variety of
images, films, recordings, and written texts to support students wide range of English language ability,
preparation, and background. I engaged students with cross-cultural ideas and themes through traditional
and contemporary texts, such as Turkish Nasreddin Hodja tales and U.S. folk tales.
Cultural Presentation Series. (30 sections). Designed and presented department-wide multimodal
instructional program about U.S. culture. I incorporated significant modifications to presentations for each
course section in order to accommodate significant variations in English language competence.
HONORS AND GRANTS
NEH Summer Seminar, The Late Ottoman and Russian Empires: Citizenship, Belonging and Difference, 2014.
Participant.
Critical Language Scholarship for Turkish language study in Ankara, Turkey, U. S. Department of State, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, 2011.
Hannah Beiter Graduate Student Research Grant, Childrens Literature Association, 2009.
Illinois TESOL/Bilingual Education Graduate Scholarship Award, Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of
Other Languages Bilingual Education, 2009.
Travel Supplement Grant, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Travel Grant Program, Illinois State University,
2009.
Taimi Maria Ranta Childrens and Young Adult Literature Scholarship, Illinois State University, 2008.
Chicago Foundation for Education, to support fifth-grade mentorship program for disadvantaged, inner-city
students, 2004-2005.

Rebecca Anderson

FELLOWSHIPS
Ora Bretall Fellowship for Dissertation Contributing to the Development of Educational Theory and Practice,
Illinois State University, 2011.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Fellowship, Turkey, Institute of International Education, 2009-2010.
Illinois State University Foundation Fellowship, 2007.
PRESENTATIONS
International
Rhetoric and Composition for Global Citizens: A Fulbright-Influenced Model for Revising Todays General
Education Courses to Prepare Tomorrows Global Citizens. 37th Annual Fulbright Conference: Dare to Act,
Washington, D.C., October 2014.
Limitations of Language Acquisition via Facebook Interactions with Turkish Students. Georgetown University Round
Table on Languages and Linguistics: Discourse 2.0: Language and New Media, Washington, D.C., March 2011.
Workshop (with Pnar Karahan) Revisioning Curriculum and Teacher Education Methodologies: Deploying
Discourse Analysis to Promote Intrinsic Motivation. XIV World Congress of Comparative Education Societies: Bordering,
Re-Bordering and New Possibilities in Education and Society. Boazii University, Istanbul, Turkey, June 2010.
Promoting Pragmatic Competence via Turkeys Nasreddin Hodja Tales. 6th International ELT Research Conference:
Trends in SLA Research and Language Teaching, anakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Ephesus, Turkey, May 2010.
A Cultural Deconstruction of Mark Twains Writings About 1867 Turkey, 7th International Congress for Turkish
Culture: Istanbul in Turkish and World Culture, Atatrk Center for Culture, Ankara, Turkey, October 2009. Invited.
Tintin Reporting from the United States: Great Snakes! Good ol Charlie Brown Is a Bit of a Bore, Childrens
Literature Association Conference: The Best of Three, Charlotte, North Carolina, June 2009.
Chair. Playing with Stories Session. Childrens Literature Association Conference: The Best of Three, Charlotte, North
Carolina, June 2009.
The Nasreddin Hodja in 19th Century American Literature: Meanings Past and Lessons Present, American Folklore
Society Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, October 2008.
From Fixity to Flexibility: The Humor of Nasreddin Hodja Fosters Critical Thinking in Young Readers, Childrens
Literature Association Conference: Reimagining Normal, Bloomington, Illinois, June 2008.
Octavia Butlers Parable of the Sower: Subverting Whom?, The 29th International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts
Conference: The Sublime in the Fantastic, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
National
Living in Turkey and Turkish Education, Fulbright Pre-Departure Orientation for English Teaching Assistants to Turkey,
Washington, D.C., August 2010. Invited.

Rebecca Anderson

Local
Critical Language Scholarship Program: Writing the Application, Experiencing the Program, Informational
Workshop, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, April 2012. Invited.
Fulbright & CLS Programs: Application Process, Teaching Practice Benefits, Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of
Other Languages Bilingual Education Convention: Getting the Balance Right. Lisle, Illinois, February 2012.
Thats So Chic! Higher Education Faculty Models the Latest and Greatest in Global Citizenship. Teaching and
Learning Symposium: Creating Climates for Teaching and Learning. Normal, Illinois, January 2012.
Applying for a Fulbright Scholarship and A Fulbright Year in Turkey, Fulbright Informational Workshop, Illinois
State University, Normal, Illinois, April 2011. Invited.
Solving Freshman Compositions Relevance Issue. Teaching and Learning Symposium: State Your Passion for Teaching
and Learning. Normal, Illinois, January 2011.
Workshop (with Pnar Karahan) Revisioning Curriculum and Teacher Education Methodologies: Deploying
Discourse Analysis to Promote Intrinsic Motivation. Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey, May 2010.
Foreign Language Education for KidsChildren, Erzurum American Corner, Atatrk University, Erzurum, Turkey,
April 2010. Invited.
EFL & ESL Lessons Based on Turkeys Nasreddin Hodja Tales, Teacher Training Presentation, Pamukkale
University Foreign Languages Department faculty, Denizli, Turkey, December 2009. Invited.
Generating College ESL Lessons from Contemporary Media, Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Bilingual Education Convention, Naperville, Illinois, February 2009.
An ESL Workshop for Composition Instructors: Making It Work, Teaching & Learning Symposium: Teaching and
Learning in a Diverse Community of Scholars, Bloomington, Illinois, January 2009.
Constructive Conflict in the Composition Classroom: Preparing Students for Global Citizenship, Teaching &
Learning Symposium: Gladly We Learn & Teach: Past, Present, and Future, Bloomington, Illinois, January 2008.
SERVICE
Pennsylvania State University
Fulbright Review Board, 2014Referee. Pamukkale University Journal of Faculty of Education. 2012.
Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Bilingual Education
Chair, Advocacy Committee and Member at Large, Board of Directors, 2011-2012.
February 2012. Annual Convention. Conference planning and coordination.
Illinois State University
Graduate Council, 2010-2011.
Graduate Curriculum Committee, 2010-2011.
Computerized Writing Classrooms Renovations Subcommittee. 2008.
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Rebecca Anderson

VOLUNTEER GRANT-WRITING EXPERIENCE

KIPP Ascend Charter School. Chicago, Illinois
Grant Writer/Guest Assistant to Reading Teacher. 5th grade. 2004-2005
VOLUNTEER TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Metcalf Elementary School, Normal, Illinois
Guest Lecturer. 5th Grade. 2008
Hogar Hispano, Arlington, Virginia
Teacher. Intermediate Literacy/Citizenship Adult ESL. 2006-2007
Lufkin Road Middle School, Raleigh, North Carolina
Guest ESL Teaching Assistant. 6th 8th grades. 2004
Collington Square Elementary School, Baltimore, Maryland
Guest Special Education Teaching Assistant. Combination 4th 7th grades. 2003-2004
Bancroft Elementary School, Washington, D.C.
Tutor/Mentor. 3rd grade. 2003-2004
Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless, Arlington, Virginia
Tutor/Mentor. 2nd grade. 2002-2003
Bancroft Elementary School, Washington, D.C.
Tutor/Mentor. 5th grade. 1999-2000
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Pennsylvania State University
English 602: Online Teaching, voluntary training program conducted by Composition Department. Spring 2015.
English 602: Digital Pedagogy, voluntary training program conducted by Composition Department. Fall 2014.
Course Design Academy, competitive-admission program conducted by Schreyer Institute. May 19-23, 2014.
English 602: Teaching Freshman Composition, mandatory training program conducted by Composition
Department. 2013-2014.
Illinois State University. Voluntary Training programs conducted by Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology.
Teaching Excellence Workshop Series.
Engaging Students in Significant Learning Series
Student Engagement Techniques for Reflecting April 4, 2012
Outside the _____: Teaching Students to Think Creatively Series.
What Is Creative Thinking and Why Is It Important to Teach It? September 7, 2011
Student Engagement Series.
How Learning Works. February 15, 2011
Motivating Students for Learning. January 25, 2011
Teaching, Learning, and Ethics Series.
Differentiated Instruction. March 16, 2011
Ethics in the Co-Curriculum. February 23, 2011
Teaching Ethics. February 9, 2011
Ethical Teaching. January 26, 2011
Students Facing Challenges Series.
Difficult Student Behaviors. October 6, 2010
Students in Transition. September 22, 2010
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Rebecca Anderson

A Leader Lives in Each of Us. June 23, 2009.

Future Professors Workshop. May 18-21, 2009.
Pamukkale University
Vocabulary and Writing for Success Seminar. Training program conducted by Pearson Longman; sponsored by
Foreign Languages Department. February 5, 2010.
Illinois State University
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Workshop. Training program conducted by Center for
Applied Linguistics; sponsored by Illinois State Universitys College of Education. May 13-15, 2009.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Proficiency in French
Proficiency in Turkish: ACTFL oral proficiency results: Intermediate Mid
MEMBERSHIPS
Childrens Literature Association
Modern Language Association
Pi Lambda Theta Honorary Society
Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society
Sigma Tau Delta International English Honorary Society

REFERENCES
Available on request.

Rebecca Anderson