Assistant Executive

Dr. Jesse Peters

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Esther G. Maynor Honors College

Department of English and Theatre

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Dr. Jesse Peters

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Pembroke, NC 28372

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curriculum vitae

Darrell Jesse Peters

Professor of English and American Indian Studies

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

English Department

Pembroke, NC 28372

Email: ******@****.***

Phone: 910-***-****

Education Honors and Awards Administrative Experience Teaching Experience

Publications Conference Presentations Service

EDUCATION

Ph. D. University of New Mexico, December 1999

Dissertation Director: Professor Louis Owens

Dissertation: Only the Drum Is Confident : Simulations and Syncretisms in Native

American Fiction

As Gerald Vizenor has pointed out, the English language has been the linear tongue of

colonial discoveries, racial cruelties, invented names, the simulation of tribal cultures.

. . . At the same time, this mother tongue of paracolonialism has been a language of

invincible imagination and liberation for many tribal people in the postindian world.

Following Vizenor s lead and drawing on the theories of Louis Owens, Umberto Eco and Jean

Baudrillard, I explore the ways in which Native American authors have used, and continue

to use, literature as a method of liberating themselves from the roles and stereotypes

that have been prescribed for them. That is, I examine instances where Native American

authors struggle to construct subjective identities and cultural representations within

the masks of dominant culture, paying close attention to the strategies they choose as

they undertake this task. It seems that some of these texts, such as those by Sherman

Alexi, often draw upon the strategy of constructing a kind of Indian essentialism that,

ironically, plays into the hands of the dominant discourse by propagating what Eco and

Baudrillard define as the hyperreal or the simulation. However, other Native American

novels, such as those by A.A. Carr, rely more on a positively syncretic strategy which

works to acknowledge the fact that Native American people live and function in a complex

world, one that demands a negotiation between cultural experiences and belief systems. In

the midst of these two quite distinct strategies found within Native American literature,

radically different conceptions and representations of Native American identity can be

found, and ultimately I argue that writers who reject essentialist impulses in their

fiction may be more successful at deconstructing stereotypes than those who attempt to

construct separatist Indian worlds.

Examination Areas:

Native American Literature, Language and Rhetoric (Focus on Composition Theory), Modern

Literature

M.A. University of New Mexico, June 1994

Examination Areas:

Twentieth Century British and American Literature, Literary Criticism, Nineteenth Century

American Literature, Eighteenth Century British Literature

B.A. Emory University, May 1992, Magna Cum Laude

Major: English

Minor: Sociology

Honors Thesis: Forever to Come : N. Scott Momaday s Bear Identity

Thesis Director: Sally Wolff King

A.A. Oxford College of Emory University, May 1990

HONORS AND AWARDS

Dirt Roads and Towns, Finalist, LongLeaf Press Chapbook Competition, 2009

Wye Fellow, Wye Faculty Seminar (Aspen Institute), 2006

Award for Outstanding Teaching at UNCP, 2003ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

Chair, Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee

2012-present

Dean, Maynor Honors College2005-2011

Director, Center for Undergraduate Research 2005-2011

Chair, Faculty Senate and General Faculty2004-2005

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Professor of English, University of North Carolina at Pembroke2009-present

Associate Professor of English, University of North Carolina at Pembroke2005-2009

Assistant Professor of English, University of North Carolina at Pembroke1999-2005

Teaching Assistant, University of New Mexico1994-1999

Courses Taught

Freshman Seminar

This course is designed to aid freshmen as the orient themselves to the challenges and

rewards of pursuing a college degree.

Cultures In Contact

This course is designed to introduce students to a specific world culture through a

variety of methods. The readings include sociological, economic, historical, and fictional

accounts of this country. The objective is to learn about another culture while also

learning how to approach the study of and engagement with that culture. There is also a

travel component to provide for first-hand engagement with the culture studied.

Native American Literature

This is my area of specialty, and in this course I expose students to a variety of voices

from within the canon of Native American literature. I also believe it is important for

students to gain at least some knowledge of the theory surrounding marginalized literature

so that they better understand the difficulties faced by Native American authors.

Native American Novel

This course is designed to expose students to novels produced by Native American authors.

The discussion centers around attempting to understand what the writers have to tell us

and why. We pay particular attention to the ways in which Indian authors write within,

outside of, and against the dominant canon of literature. Some of the questions we will be

asking are: Who is an Indian What is Native American literature How does Indian

literature relate to American literature in general How is the Native American novel

different from other novels, if at all What role does the oral tradition play within

these written texts

Multicultural Literature

The goal of this course is to expose students to traditionally ignored or overlooked

works of literature. I also want students to understand the value of difference and the

important idea that inclusion is often better then exclusion.

The Oral Tradition in Native American Literature

This seminar explores how contemporary authors use strategies and concepts from the oral

tradition in their written work.

The Multicultural American Experience

In this Honors seminar, I used a variety of texts, both historical and literary, to

examine how the nation and concept of America has been and continues to be shaped by

multiculturalism.

Survey of American Literature

This traditional survey course serves as an introduction to American literature and

covers texts beginning with the colonial period and extending through the present. I have

also taught this course online.

William Faulkner and Eudora Welty

This senior-level seminar covered works by both Faulkner and Welty, paying close

attention to the similarities and differences in both content and style.

Southern Literature

The course is a survey of southern literature (non-fiction, short fiction, poetry, drama,

and the novel) from its beginnings through the present.

Modern Fiction

Through a survey of Modern fiction, we attempt to understand the Modernist aesthetic and

how it manifests itself in literature. We also pay attention to how postmodernism is

anticipated by many of the Modern writers.

Introduction to Literature

The course centers around providing students with the tools and strategies with which to

interpret and discuss literature written in all genres. I also try to foster an

appreciation for the links between the study of literature and other areas of study.

Creative Writing

This course is designed to introduce students to strategies and methods for writing

creatively. I want students to see how form and content work together to create meaning as

they explore their individual talents in both poetry and fiction.

Composition I: Exposition

This class introduces students to college level writing and provides them with the skills

necessary to produce a clearly organized and well-supported written argument.

Composition I: Exposition (ESL)

This course is the same as the one above except it is designed for speakers of English as

a second language.

Composition II: Analysis and Argumentation

This course builds upon the work students did in 101 and helps them refine their writing

through an emphasis on research, evidence, structure, tone, and style.

Composition II: Analysis and Argumentation (ESL)

This course is the same as the one above except it is designed for speakers of English as

a second language.

Composition II: Analysis and Argumentation (Computer Assisted Classroom)

This class used computer-assisted technologies to supplement the teaching of composition.

The use of computers aided students in collaborative brainstorming, drafting, discussing,

and revising, activities which proved to be invaluable in the writing process.

Advanced Expository Writing

Students who wish to further practice and develop their composition skills beyond English

Composition II are encouraged to take this course. Much of the class focuses on

understanding and developing style.

Additional Teaching Experience

Tutor, Writing Lab, Center for Academic Program Support, University of New Mexico, 1994-

1996

I was responsible for daily tutoring sessions which included working with ESL and

Learning Disabled students as well as for planning and leading various writing-oriented

workshops.

Substitute English Teacher, Albuquerque Public School System, 1993-1994

PUBLICATIONS

Conference, Washington, DC, November 2009.

Chair, Session VII, 5th Annual Southeast Indian Studies Conference, Pembroke, NC, April,

2009.

NCHC Faculty Institute on Experiential Learning, Berlin, Germany, March, 2008.

Session Moderator, NCHC Conference, Denver, CO, November 2007.

Executive Committee, Session on Native American Literature. SAMLA. Atlanta, GA, November,

2007.

AAC&U Conference on General Education Reform. Newport, RI, May 2007.

Southern Regional Honors Conference, Charlotte, NC, March, 2007.

Native American Literature Symposium, Mt. Pleasant, MI, March, 2007.

Academic Chairpersons Conference, Orlando, FL, February, 2007.

Executive Committee, Session on Native American Literature. SAMLA. Charlotte, NC,

November, 2006.

National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October, 2006.

Chair, Session IV, 2nd Annual Southeast Indian Studies Conference, Pembroke, NC, April,

2006.

National Council on Undergraduate Research Conference, Asheville, NC, March, 2006.

Academic Chairpersons Conference, Orlando, FL, February, 2006.

Chair, Session on Native American Literature. SAMLA. Atlanta, GA, November, 2005.

National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, St. Louis, MO, October, 2005

Secretary, Session on Native American Literature. SAMLA. Roanoke, VA, November, 2004.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE AND COMMITTEES

Member, Faculty Senate 2012-present

Member, Senate Executive Committee 2012-present

Chair, Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee 2012-present

Member, Taskforce on Advising 2009-2010

Member, Summer School Taskforce 2007-2008

Teaching and Learning Center Mentor for New Faculty 2007-2008

Member, Strategic Planning and Resource Committee 2006-2011

Chair, Governing Ideas Taskforce 2006-2007

Member, Deans Council 2005-2011

Member, Faculty Athletic Committee 2005-present

Member, Provost Search Committee 2005

Chair, Faculty Senate and General Faculty 2004-2005

Chair, Campus Appeals Board 2004-2005

Member, Chancellor s Advisory Committee on Football 2004-2005

Member, Chancellor s Advisory Committee on Faculty Reassigned Time 2004-2005

Member, Chancellor s Advisory Committee on School of Optometry 2004-2005

Member, Faculty Senate 2002-2005

Member, Senate Executive Committee 2003-2005

Chair, Senate Committee on Committees and Elections 2003-2004

Member, Arts and Sciences Advisory Committee 2001-2003

Member, UNCP Undergraduate Research Committee 2002-2012

Faculty Advisor, Alpha Chi Honor Society 2003-2011

Member, Student Affairs and Campus Life Committee 2000-2002

DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE AND COMMITTEES

Member, English Committee 2012-present

Member, Peer Review Committee (Decker) 2012-2013

Member, Post Tenure Review Committee (Guynn) 2012-2013

Member, Student Engagement Committee 2011-2012

Chair, Peer Review Committee (Hicks) 2011-2012

Member, Peer Review Committee (Haladay) 2011-2012

Member, Peer Review Committee (Chemishanova) 2010-2011

Member, Peer Review Committee (Marquard) 2010-2011

Member AIS Curriculum Committee 2008-present

Member, Peer Review Committee 2007-2008

Member, AIS Department Chair Search Committee 2005-2007

Member, Peer Review Committee 2006-2007

Member, New Hire Search Committee 2005-2006

Chair, English Awards Committee 2004-2005

Member, English Awards Committee 2003-2005

Member, English Graduate Committee 2002-2004

Member, English Composition Committee 1999-2002

Member, Peer Review Committee 2003-2004

Chair, New Hire search Committee 2002-2003

Member, Peer Review Committee 2002-2003

Chair, New Hire Search Committee 2001-2002

Member, Peer Review Committee 2001-2002

Member, New Hire Search Committee 1999-2001

ETL New Faculty Mentor 2002-2006

Faculty Advisor, Sigma Tau Delta 2000-present

Web Editor, Pembroke Magazine 2002-2010

Professional Organizations

National Collegiate Honors Council

Council on Undergraduate Research

North Carolina Council on Undergraduate Research

Modern Language Association

South Atlantic Modern Language Association

National Council of Teachers of English

Updated: Monday, September 10, 2012

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