John Beer

John Beer is a Professor of English at Portland State University, specializing in creative writing. He transitioned from a philosophy background to poetry, holding a BA in Philosophy from Princeton University (class of '91) and pursuing a PhD in Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh before completing the Iowa Writers' Workshop in poetry. His work bridges philosophical inquiry and literary creativity, particularly exploring themes of language, identity, and modernist literature.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Philosophy, Princeton University
• PhD studies in Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh
• Graduate Studies in Creative Writing, Iowa Writers' Workshop

Research & Publications: Beer’s publications include The Waste Land and Other Poems (2010), reworking modernist themes, and Lucinda (2015), a book-length mistranslation of Friedrich Schlegel. His creative work often engages with philosophical questions about language and identity, reflecting his Princeton education in philosophy. He frequently incorporates Socratic and logical frameworks into his teaching and writing, drawing on mentors like Mark Johnston and Douglas Hofstadter.

Awards: No specific awards are listed in the text.

Teaching & Advising: Beer teaches undergraduate poetry courses at PSU, emphasizing critical analysis akin to philosophical argumentation. No specific grants or advising roles are detailed.

Labs/Teams: None explicitly mentioned.