KENDRA SLAYTON
kslayton@vols.utk.edu
Curriculum Vitae
301 Woodlawn Pike, Apt. C5
Knoxville, TN 37920
(517) 489-9193
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ACADEMIC HISTORY
M.A. English
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Thesis: “Tied in Lusty Leese: Animalization and Agency in Troilus and Criseyde”
Committee: Drs. Laura Howes (Chair), Mary Dzon, and Mary Papke
8/2011 – 5/2013
B.A. English
Michigan State University
3.94, final GPA (English GPA 4.0); graduated with High Honor
Honors Thesis: “The Medieval Loathly Lady: A Historical and Contextual Analysis”
Thesis director: Dr. Lister Matheson
Additional major: East Asian Languages (Japanese)
May 2008
MARCO Summer Latin Program: Beginner’s Course
University of Tennessee, Knoxville – non-credit elective course
Summer 2012
Japanese Linguistics & Pedagogy Course
Japan Exchange & Teaching Program in Shiga, Japan
8/2009 – 2/2010
Japan Center for Michigan Universities Study Abroad
Hikone, Japan: Intensive 2nd and 4th year Japanese course
Summer 2007
Summer 2006
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Academic Appointments
Assistant Director of English as a Second Language Program
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
7/2014 – 5/2015
Graduate Teaching Associate
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
(UT Knoxville: Winner of 2012 Writing Program Certificate of Excellence)
8/2012 – present
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
8/2011-7/2012
Writing Center Tutor
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
8/2011-7/2012
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Publications
“Review of Suzanne Verderber’s The Medieval Fold: Power, Repression, and the Emergence of the
Individual” in Comitatus 45, 2014.
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Conference Presentations
“Assessing the Placement of L2 Writers: An Institutional Case Study of Student Perceptions.”
Symposium of Second Language Writing. Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ: November 2014.
“Transtextual Proverbial Wisdom: Reader Responsibility in the Tale of Melibee.” “Chaucerian Conflicts”
Panel, Southeastern Medieval Association Conference. Clayton State University & University of West
Georgia, Atlanta, GA: October 2014.
“Criseyde Tied in Lusty Leese.” “Marginal Women in Medieval Literature” Panel, Southeastern Medieval
Association Conference. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC: October 2013.
“Tied in Lusty Leese: Animalization and Agency in Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde.” 13th and 14th
Century Poetry Panel, Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies 2013 Multidisciplinary Graduate Student
Conference. Chicago, IL: January 2013.
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Awards
John C. Hodges Excellence in Teaching Award
Marco Keith Taylor Graduate Student Promise Award
John C. Hodges Fellowship
John C. Hodges Fellowship
2014
2013-2014
2013-2014
2011-2012
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Service and Academic Activities
Assistant Director of ESL
ESL English Placement Exam Proctor and Grader
Graduate Student Senator (GSS)
Graduate Students in English – Senate Liaison
Member, GSS Love Your Libraries 5k Committee
Member, Middle English Reading Group
Member, MA Professionalism and Research Writing Group
Member, MA Literature and Theory Reading Group
2014-2015
2013-2015
2012-2015
2012-2015
2012-2014
2012-2013
2012-2013
2011-2013
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University Courses Taught (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
ENG 132: Composition for Non-Native Speakers of English II
This 3-credit course meets the university’s undergraduate requirement for freshman composition
(equivalent to English 102). The goal of this course is to advance concepts introduced in English 131. The
course involves intensive writing instruction focused on inquiry and research. It covers strategies for
formulating and investigating questions; locating and evaluating information; using varied sources and
research methods; developing positions on intercultural and interdisciplinary issues from diverse texts
(print, digital, and multimedia); and presenting research using appropriate rhetorical conventions.
ENG 121: Academic English for Non-Native Speakers (Fall 2014)
Development of English academic literacy, including reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar, as well
as some attention to listening, oral presentation, and pronunciation. Admission by English placement
exam. Required of all non-native English-speaking students who demonstrate on the English Placement
Examination a need for work in English structures, reading, or writing.
ENG 102: English Composition II: Inquiry into the Gendered Hero(ine) (Spring 2013・2014)
This course advances concepts introduced in English 101 with intensive writing instruction focused on
inquiry and research. Topics include strategies for formulating and investigating questions, locating and
evaluating information, using varied sources and research methods, developing positions on intercultural
and interdisciplinary issues from diverse texts (print, digital, and multimedia), and presenting research
using appropriate rhetorical conventions.
Course Subject: Inquiry into the Gendered Hero(ine)
ENG 101: English Composition I (Fall 2012・2013)
The course focuses on rhetorical analysis and persuasive argumentation. It includes strategies for reading
critically; writing persuasively; utilizing the full writing process, including substantial revision; writing
with specific audiences in mind; integrating sources; and expressing ideas both grammatically and clearly.
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Pedagogical Training
ENG 505: Composition Pedagogy (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
ENG 690: Theoretical Issues in Second Language Writing (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
ENG 575: Teaching Second Language Writing (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
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Other Work and Volunteer Experience
Assistant Language Teacher (English as a Foreign Language), grade 5-9
8/2008 – 8/2011
Misaka-cho, Yamanashi-ken, Japan
Coordinated and co-taught lessons with Japanese teachers of English. Created lesson plans and materials
for grades 5-9. Developed and graded listening comprehension tests. Coached speech contest participants.
Incorporated media materials into lessons, such as Power Point and interactive touch screens.
Tokyo Orientation Assistant (JET Program)
July 2010
Helped guide new program participants through Narita airport to orientation site. Staffed 24-hour
Hospitality Centre and Information Desk. Assisted with Welcome events and lectures.
Tokyo Orientation Presenter (JET Program): Driving in Japan
July 2010
Presented practical and legal information on driving in Japan to new participants. Provided advice on
finding a vehicle, testing for a Japanese license, insurance regulations, and other information.
English Language Tutor—Independent Work
9/2006-9/2007
Worked with an international graduate student on English conversation and reading comprehension.
Volunteer English Conversation Partner—MSU International TA Program
8/2006-12/2006
Practiced English conversation with an international graduate student to prep for TA English exam.
Reading and Writing Tutor—Student Literacy Corps
8/2006-12/2006
Taught remedial reading and writing to elementary school students in the “Read to SUCCEED” program
Editorial Assistant, Michigan State University Press, Books Division
2/2007-7/2008
Proofread and edited manuscripts. Completed copyright and art permissions applications. Coordinated
author revisions and in-house revisions. Organized publication materials and art inventories. Created
interactive PDF forms using basic coding. Revised and edited a grant proposal, which was later approved.
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Language Skills
Reading: French, Old English, Latin
Speaking and Reading: Japanese, Intermediate-Advanced, 日本語能力試験 2 級
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Research Interests
Middle English Literature
Feminist Theory & Criticism
Free will and predestination
Liminality, Abjection, & Female Monstrosity