Christopher Crane

Christopher 'Chip' Crane is a Senior Lecturer in the English Department at the University of Maryland since 2010. He specializes in Early Modern Studies, rhetoric, and medieval literature, with a focus on J.R.R. Tolkien and medievalism in pop culture. His teaching includes courses like Technical Writing for Honors, Advanced Composition, and Tolkien-focused literature studies.

Education:

• Ph.D. in English Language and Literature, Catholic University of America (with Rhetoric certificate)
• M.A. in Teaching Writing and Literature, George Mason University

Research & Teaching: Crane's research examines the rhetoric of comedy in medieval literature and translation studies. He co-teaches 'Tolkien in Oxford,' a study abroad course, and has developed innovative pedagogical methods linking film adaptations to literary analysis. His work on Tolkien emphasizes heroism, evil, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Professional Experience: Prior to UMD, he served as Director of the Writing Center at the U.S. Naval Academy (1999–2010), expanding Writing Across the Curriculum initiatives. He also consults for organizations like the Department of Homeland Security on technical communication and plain language standards.

Labs/Teams: Former director of the Naval Academy Writing Center; active with the Center for Plain Language.