Professor
English Department
Kirby Hall 324
Phone: 201.559.6110
Email: yoders@felician.edu
Positions Held
- Professor of English, Felician University
- Chair, Department of English, Felician University
- Developmental Coordinator, Felician University
Academic Accomplishments
- Ph.D. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- M.A. Rutgers Newark, Graduate Fellowship Temple University
- B.A. Rutgers Newark, Graduate Fellowship Temple University
Biography
I grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. I studied zoology, with a minor in English, at Rutgers-Newark, developmental genetics at Temple University in Philadelphia, and invertebrate development at Woods Hole Marine Biology Labs in Massachusetts. I loved the aesthetics of biology—the clarity of designing experiments and getting results; the loveliness revealed by the microscope and in dissections that opened up the hidden mysteries of life. However, I also loved language and literature and earned a Masters in English, which turned into my truest passion. I earned my Ph.D by writing about the novels of Thomas Hardy. At Rutgers, I was a writing specialist, teaching at most of the Rutgers campuses—Douglass, Livingston, Cook, Newark, New Brunswick main campus–before coming to Felician. In addition to teaching courses in composition, creative writing, and literature, I am a published poet with several awards. I have organized many student-faculty poetry readings at Felician. I was the chair of the English Department for fifteen years. My specialties include poetry and women’s literature, autobiography, and the intersection of popular culture with literature. I teach courses both on campus and online.
Field(s) of Interest/Expertise
- Creative Writing and Poetry, Woman’s Literature, Shakespeare, Autobiography, 20th Century Poetry, Drama, and Prose, 17th Century literature, Contemporary Literature, the Novel, Popular Culture.
Courses Taught at Felician University
- College Writing and Research I & II
- Crafting a Life
- Seventeenth Century Literature
- History of the Novel
- Creative Writing
- Shakespeare
- Autobiography
- Themes of Literature
- 20th Century Poetry
- 20th Century Prose
- Modern Drama
- Contemporary Drama
- Women in Literature
- Contemporary Literature
- Two American Poets: Dickinson and Frost
- Victorian Age
- Critical Perspectives
- Senior Research in English
Publications/Research
- “As Usual,” Paterson Literary Review, Spring 2018, Issue 46.
- “Teaching Romeo and Juliet,” “Blue,” “Church Girl” in Paterson Literary Review, 2017-2018
- “Mrs Bennett,” Paterson Literary Review, p. 305, Summer 2016-2017.
- “Michael’s Song,” (music and lyrics) for Quintier film Hometown Salute, in production, 2016.
- “Art,” Paterson Literary Review, Spring 2015.
- “On Re-reading Jane Eyre,” Paterson Literary Review, 2012-2013.
- “Moving Out,” Paterson Literary Review, 2011-12.
- “A Primer for Men.” (feature article), The Record, April 2011.
- “Silk Ribbon Works.” Waterways Anniversary Issue: Best Poetry of 40 Years, Spring 2010.
- “Shooting Stars,” Paterson Literary Review, Fall 2003.
- “Remembering.” Paterson Literary Review. 1998.
- “Diana at the Lake.”Paterson Literary Review. Winter 1994.
- “Moving Days” and “Patched Quilt.” Paterson Literary Review. Winter 1993.
- “Silk Ribbon Works.” Waterways. February 1982.
- “November in the Park.” The Planet, the Person, the Poem. April 1981.
- “Japanese Beetle.” Waterways. February 1981.
Excerpt on Thomas Hardy in Julian Moynahan’s Preface, Viking Portable Hardy, NY: Viking Press, 1977.
