Amanda Christensen
Administrative Assistant I
Office: LA 262
EDUCATION
DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), University of Oregon
MM (Master of Music), Portland State University
BM (Bachelor of Music), 蘑菇视频
After completing my doctorate in Oregon (I have a DMA in Voice Performance and Arts Administration), I decided to move back to my hometown to be closer to my family. I had not found a teaching position so was looking for work. This position at 蘑菇视频 was right up my alley. I enjoy working in academia and helping other students find a love of learning. In my spare time, I enjoy singing and playing the piano, teaching private music lessons, and reading.
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Kirsten Cooper
Office Specialist II
Office: LA 241
EDUCATION
BA, English - Professional Writing (2017), 蘑菇视频
I am an 蘑菇视频 graduate and happy to be working at my alma mater. Prior to joining English and Philosophy, I worked in a number of departments on campus, including Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, and the 蘑菇视频 Foundation. I was drawn to this position for the opportunity to engage more closely with students and to rejoin the department I earned my degree from. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, playing games, traveling, and spending time with my husband and pets.
Brent Wolter
Professor of English; Chair of the Department of English and Philosophy
Office: LA 263
RESEARCH AREAS
Second language acquisition
TESOL
EDUCATION
PhD, Applied Language Studies (2005), University of Wales at Swansea
MA, TESL/TEFL (1999), University of Birmingham
BA, English & Psychology (1991), Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa
I am an applied linguist with an interest in second language acquisition, particularly vocabulary acquisition. I joined the faculty here at 蘑菇视频 in 2005, where one of my main responsibilities is to collaborate on the establishment and implementation of the English department’s Graduate Certificate in TESL. The program is designed to serve both teachers in local communities, as well as teachers of English in foreign language environments.
Before coming to 蘑菇视频, I taught English in Japan for more than a decade. Through this experience, I became interested in the field of applied linguistics partly due to my desire to improve myself as a teacher, and partly due to my curiosity about the social, psychological, and cognitive processes that lead to the successful acquisition of second languages. My research in the field especially reflects my concern with understanding how vocabulary acquisition and vocabulary use function at a psycholinguistic level.
I enjoy teaching both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. As a teacher, I particularly look forward to that moment where students realize that linguistics is actually a lively, engaging, and relevant area of study, even though it often has the false image of being the tedious process of cataloging the intricacies of language.
Selected Publications
Wolter, B. (2024). Approaches to vocabulary instruction from an input processing perspective. In J. Barcroft & W. Wong (Eds.), Handbook of SLA and Input Processing. Routledge.
Wang, H., Guo, H., Yang, L., & Wolter, B. (2023). A decade of research into second language acquisition: A state-of-the-science review (2009-2019). Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 46(3), 386-403.
Wolter, B. (2023). Cross-language influences in the acquisition of L2 multiword expressions. In I. Elgort, A. Siyanova-Chanturia, & M. Brysbaert (Eds.), Cross-language Influences in Bilingual Processing and Second Language Acquisition (pp. 211–228). John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Pei, X., Yang, L., Chen, Y., & Wolter, B. (2022). Chinese EFL learners’ apology strategies: A multimodal perspective: Applied Pragmatics, 5(1), 64–85.
Wolter, B. (2022). Refining optimum levels of acquisition and L1 semantic influences in the Ontogenesis Model. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 25(2), 234–235. (invited by editor)
Wolter, B., Leung, C. Y., Wang, S., Chen, S., & Yamashita, J. (2022). Comparing linguistic and cultural explanations for visual search strategies. Cognitive Linguistics, 33(4), 623–657. (peer reviewed)
Wolter, B., Yamashita, J., & Leung, C. Y. (2020). Conceptual transfer and lexical development in adjectives of space: Evidence from judgments, reaction times, and eye tracking. Applied Psycholinguistics, 41(3), 595-625.
Cui, Y., Yang, L., & Wolter, B. (2019). Alignment effect in the continuation task of Chinese low-intermediate English learners. Applied Linguistics Review.
Wolter, B. (2019). Key issues in teaching multiword items. S. Webb (Ed.), Routledge handbook of vocabulary studies (pp. 493-510). New York: Routledge Publishers.
Wolter, B. & Yamashita, J. (2017). Word frequency, collocational frequency, L1 congruency, and proficiency in L2 collocational processing: What accounts for L2 performance? Studies in Second Language Acquisition.
Gyllstad, H. & Wolter B. (2016). Collocational processing in the light of a phraseological continuum model: Does semantic transparency matter? Language Learning, 66, 296-323.
Wolter, B. & Helms-Park, R. (2016). Lexical knowledge and processing in second language reading. In X. Chen Bumgardner, V. Dronjic,, & R. Helms-Park (Eds.). Second language reading: Psycholinguistic and cognitive perspectives (pp. 133-158). New York: Routledge Publishers.
Wolter, B. & Yamashita, J. (2015). Processing collocations in a second language: a case of first language activation? Applied Psycholinguistics, 36, 1193-1221.
Wolter, B. & Gyllstad, H. (2013). Frequency of input and L2 collocational processing: a comparison of congruent and incongruent collocations. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 35, 451-482.
Zareva, A. & Wolter, B. (2012). The 'promise' of three methods of words association analysis to L2 lexical research. Second Language Research, 28, 41-67.
Wolter, B. & Gyllstad, H. (2011). Collocational links in the L2 mental lexicon and the influence of L1 intravesical knowledge. Applied Linguistics, 32, 430-449.
Wolter, B. (2009). Meaning-last vocabulary acquisition and collocational productivity. In T.Fitzpatrick & A. Barfield (Eds.), Lexical Processing in Second Language Learners (pp. 128-140). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Wolter B. (2006). Lexical network structures and L2 vocabulary acquisition: the role of L1 lexical/conceptual knowledge. Applied Linguistics, 27, 741-747.
Wilks, C., Meara, P., & Wolter, B. (2005). A further note on simulating word association behavior in a second language. Second Language Research 21(4), 359-372.
--Reprinted in Connected Words by Paul Meara. Baltimore: John Benjamins (2009).
Meara, P. & Wolter, B. (2004). V_Links: beyond vocabulary depth. Angles on the English-speaking World, 4, 85-96.
--Reprinted in Connected Words by Paul Meara. Baltimore: John Benjamins (2009).
Wolter, B. (2002). Assessing proficiency through word associations: Is there still hope? System, 30, 315-329.
Wolter, B. (2001). Comparing the L1 and L2 mental lexicon: a depth of individual word knowledge model. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 23, 41-69.
Wolter, B. (2000). A participant-centered approach to INSET course design. ELT Journal, 54, 311-318.
Awards/Honors
Master Teacher, 蘑菇视频, 2010
Courses Taught
6682: Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language
6681: Theory of Second Language Acquisition
4485/5585: Linguistic Analysis
4484/5584: Rotating Topics in Linguistics
2281: Introduction to Language Studies
1102: Writing and Rhetoric II
1101: Writing and Rhetoric I
James Skidmore
Associate Professor of Philosophy; Department Vice Chair; Director of Philosophy
Office: LA 253
Education
PhD, Philosophy (2000), University of Minnesota
BA, Philosophy (1993), Washington State University
BA, English (1992), Washington State University
My main philosophical interests are in ethical theory, and in particular Kantian and utilitarian moral theory. In my dissertation I focused on Kantian theories and their inability to accommodate moral obligations toward non-human animals. I argued, and continue to argue, that their failure in this regard constitutes a serious theoretical problem. My interests are now gradually turning toward the project of developing and defending a plausible consequentialist theory (an approach that traditionally defines morally right action as action that maximizes overall, long-run value; utilitarianism is an example of such an approach). Since a crucial first step is to define consequentialism in a plausible way, my current work examines how, and how not, to do this. From here my goal is to contribute to the defense of such a theory. Since I believe there is little hope of doing so through conceptual analysis or argument a priori, my concern is to examine the extent to which a consequentialist theory can accommodate various considered judgments that are widely shared at the level of practice—in particular, features of our moral practice that appear to be thoroughly non-consequentialist in nature.
While these topics are the focus of my research, my teaching continues to be in many ways the most rewarding part of my job. I regularly teach lower-division courses in Introduction to Ethics, Introduction to Philosophy, and Bioethics. I also teach upper-division courses in Ethical Theory, Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Law. When schedules permit, I enjoy teaching courses on special topics—recent examples include Philosophy of War and Terrorism and an Honors Seminar: Lying and Deception.
Selected Publications
"Does ‘Ought’ Imply ‘Might’? How (not) to Resolve the Conflict between Act and Motive Utilitarianism." Philosophia 46 (2018), 207-221.
“Skepticism about Practical Reason: Transcendental Arguments and Their Limits.” Philosophical Studies 109 (2002), 121-141.
“Duties to Animals: The Failure of Kant’s Moral Theory.” Journal of Value Inquiry 35 (2001), 541-559.
--Reprinted in Applied Ethics, Dimock and Tucker (eds.),Thomson Nelson (2004), 160-176.
--Reprinted in Environmental Ethics, Botzler and Armstrong (eds.), McGraw-Hill (2003).
Awards/Honors
Master Teacher, 蘑菇视频, 2011
Courses Taught
4450/5550: Ethical Theory
3353: Philosophy of Law
2230: Medical Ethics
1103: Introduction to Ethics
1101: Introduction to Philosophy
POLS 3313: Political Philosophy
Thomas Klein
Professor of English; Director of Graduate Studies in English
Office: LA 242
RESEARCH AREAS
Old English texts and artifacts
History of English, especially vocabulary
Medieval studies and literature
EDUCATION
PhD, Medieval Studies (1998), University of Toronto
MA, Medieval Studies (1992), University of Toronto
BA, Medieval Studies and the Epic (1990), Kenyon College
Diploma, Italian Language and Culture (1989), Università per Stranieri, Perugia, Italy
As a philologist, I'm interested in early medieval writing, and how knowledge is represented in physical form. Recently, I have written a series of articles on Anglo-Saxon riddles and inscribed objects, including the Franks Casket, the Staffordshire Hoard, and the Vindolanda tablets.
I enjoy teaching all my classes, from Composition to Old English. I find that there is always occasion for shared inquiry and discovery in the classroom, and I feel fortunate to be able to work with students and colleagues at 蘑菇视频, as well as the larger community in Pocatello.
Selected Publications
"," Review of English Studies (January 2026).
"," Studia Neophilologica (June 2024).
” ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, (September 2023).
“'," Neophilologus: Journal of Modern and Medieval Language and Literature (March 2023).
"." Studia Neophilologica (January 2022).
“,” Neophilologus: Journal of Modern and Medieval Language and Literature (July 2019).
“’”. In , ed. Attebery, Gribas, McBeth, Sivitz, and Turley-Ames (Routledge, 2017).
"," ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes, and Reviews (June 2015).
Review of English Studies (February 2015)
"." Viator (Summer 2014).
"The Inscribed Gold Strip in the Staffordshire Hoard: The Text and Script of an early Anglo-Saxon Biblical Inscription." Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History (2013).
"." Anglia: Journal of English Philology (2012).
"." Studia Neophilologica (May 2009).
".'" The Explicator (Summer 2007).
Journal of English and Germanic Philology (January 2007).
"." Studia Neophilologica (Spring 2000).
Review of English Studies (1997).
"." Comitatus (1996).
"." Quaderni d’italianistica (1994).
Awards/Honors
Outstanding Faculty Advisor, 蘑菇视频, 2022
Master Teacher, 蘑菇视频, 2017
Courses Taught
6662: Seminar in Medieval Literature: Medieval Women Mystics
6625: Cross-Cultural Encounters in the Middle Ages
4491: Senior Seminar in Literature
4490/5590: Topics in Folklore: Riddles and Charms
4487/5587: History of the English Language
4486/5586: Old English
4475/5575: Medieval Gender and Power (with Meghan Woolley)
4473/5573: Chaucer
4462/5562: Medieval Literature: Dream Visions of the Later Middle Ages
4462/5562: Medieval Literature: Epic and Romance
4461/5561: Classical Literature: Myth and Epic
3323: Genre Studies in Prose Fiction: The Short Story Sequence
2281: Introduction to Language Studies
2280: Grammar and Usage
2267: Survey of British Literature I
2211: Introduction to Literary Analysis
1175: Literature and Ideas
1115: Themes in Literature: Love and Death
1102: Writing and Rhetoric II
1101: Writing and Rhetoric I
HONS 1101: Honors Humanities I
Abraham Romney
Associate Professor of English; Director of Composition
Office: LA 235
RESEARCH AREAS
Comparative and cultrual rhetorics of the Americas
Visual, sonic, and multimodal rhetorics
Multilingual and AI-enhanced writing pedagogies
EDUCATION
2013, Ph.D., University of California-Irvine, Department of Comparative Literature
2008, MA, University of California-Irvine, Department of Comparative Literature
2007, MA, University of Oregon, Department of English
2005, BA, Brigham Young University-Idaho, English with a minor in Spanish
I study histories and theories of rhetoric, with a few different research areas, including 19th century rhetoric in Latin America and contemporary approaches to rhetoric and the teaching of writing. Before coming to 蘑菇视频, I worked at Michigan Technological University as the Director of their Composition Program and an Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition. Prior to directing composition, I was director of the Michigan Tech Multiliteracies Center. I am delighted to be back closer to my roots in Idaho and look forward to continuing my work at 蘑菇视频.
Awards/Honors
“Human-Centered Engineering Initiative.” Co-PIs: Mary Raber, Oren Abeles, Nancy Barr, and Marika Seigel. National Endowment for the Humanities Connections Planning Grant. 2019.
Research Enhancement Fund Scholarship and Creativity Grant, Michigan Technological University. 2016.
Research Fellowship, International Society for the History of Rhetoric. 2014.
William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning Blended Learning Grant Program, Michigan Technological University. 2014-2015.
Selected Publications
Hamlin, Brett and AJ Hamlin, Tori Claudette Reeder, Josh Chase, Mary Raber, Laura Vidal-Chiesa, Modupe Omolara Yusuf, Abraham Romney, Marika Seigel. “Work-In-Progress: Leveraging Interdisciplinary Topics in First-year Engineering” 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference & Exposition, July 26-29, 2021
Romney, Abraham “A Comparative Cultural Rhetorics Approach to Indigenous Rhetorics in the Americas.” Routledge Handbook of Comparative World Rhetorics. Ed. Keith Lloyd. Routledge, 2021.
Romney, Abraham. “Spectacular Crisis: Rhetorics of Representation in Venezuela.” Rhetorics of Democracy in the Americas. Eds. Adriana Angel, Nancy Gómez, and Michael L. Butterworth, Penn State Press, 2021.
Romney, Abraham. “Affective Witnessing in the Visual Documentation of Suffering” Symposium on Global Contexts for Rhetorical Witnessing. Rhetoric Review. 30.4(2020): 369-442.
Seigel, Marika and Joshua Chase, Silke Feltz, William DeHerder, Karla Kitalong, Abraham Romney, and Kimberly Tweedale. “Monstrous Composition: Reanimating the Lecture in First-Year Writing Instruction.” College Composition and Communication (forthcoming June 2020).
Courses Taught
ENGL 4407: Topics in Professional Writing [perhaps indicate topic]
ENGL 3307: Technical and Professional Writing
ENGL 1101: Writing and Rhetoric I