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Matthew PotolskyView profile

Professor

• Decadence
• Mimesis
• 19th-Century European Literature
• +3 more

Matthew Potolsky is Professor of English at the University of Utah, specializing in nineteenth-century literature and literary theory. His career spans from 1998 Lecturer at Harvard University to current University Professorship. He earned a BA in Comparative Literature and Philosophy (1990), followed by MA and PhD in Comparative Literature (1992, 1997) from UC Irvine. Chair of English Department (2013-2016) University Professor (2014-2016) Research focuses on Decadence , Mimesis , Finance-Aesthetics intersections , and Government Secrecy . His work traces connections between financialization and decadent aesthetics, revealing how economic cycles influence artistic production. Key themes include: Decadent anti-realist literary movements Finance capital's cultural impact Decadent counterpublic formations Victorian aesthetic education debates Sublime aesthetics in national security Cosmopolitanism in literary communities Recent publications analyze: Decadent style as financialization rhetoric Reintroduction of verisimilitude theory Decadent responses to financial crises Mimetic labor in artistic production Decadent cosmopolitan counterpublics Historical parallels between financialization and literary decadence

James J. O’HaraView profile

Professor

• Greek and Latin Poetry
• Augustan Period
• Epic Poetry
• +6 more

James J. O’Hara is the George L. Paddison Professor of Latin at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His academic journey includes a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He has held significant roles, such as Department Chair (2003-2007), Director of Graduate Studies, and President of the Vergilian Society. His research focuses on Greek and Latin poetry, with a special emphasis on the Augustan period, epic, didactic literature, and satire. Education highlights include studies at the College of the Holy Cross (A.B., 1981) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 1986). He taught at Wesleyan University before joining UNC in 2001, where he has contributed extensively to teaching and scholarship. Research interests span Latin poetry, particularly Vergil, Catullus, Lucretius, and Ovid. Notable works include Death and the Optimistic Prophecy in Vergil’s Aeneid (1990), True Names: Vergil and the Alexandrian Tradition of Etymological Wordplay (1996), and Inconsistency in Roman Epic (2007). Current projects explore teaching authority in didactic and satirical works. Publications include over 40 articles and book reviews, with a focus on Vergilian studies, Lucretian analysis, and classical pedagogy. Recent lectures address topics like Aeneid Book 8 and Horace’s Ars Poetica . Grants/Awards: James Gilmore Fletcher Whitton Faculty Fellowship (2012), Loeb Classical Library Fellowship (2015-2016), SUTASA Teaching Award (2013). Students: Directed 15+ M.A. and Ph.D. theses, including works on Lucan, Lucretius, and Vergilian reception. Labs/Teams: Collaborative projects include the Focus-Hackett Aeneid commentary series and editorial work for Vergilius . Active in professional organizations like the Vergilian Society and Classical Association of the Middle West and South.

Rudiger CampeView profile

Professor

• Literary Theory
• Aesthetics
• Rhetoric
• +7 more

Rudiger Campe is the Alfred C. and Martha F. Mohr Professor of German Languages and Literatures at Yale University, with a joint appointment in Comparative Literature since 2016. He has been a Professor of German at Yale since 2007 and previously held a professorship at Johns Hopkins University from 2001 to 2007. His research spans literary theory, aesthetics, rhetoric, and the philosophical foundations of literature . He explores intersections between literature and probability, the history of aesthetics, and the epistemology of the humanities, with deep engagement in figures such as Vico, Dilthey, Foucault, Husserl, and Blumenberg. Campe’s recent publications reveal a strong focus on theoretical foundations of literature and aesthetics , particularly in German and classical traditions. His work frequently bridges ancient rhetoric, Enlightenment thought, and modern literary theory, with recurring themes of evidence, reference, and the emotional and cognitive structures of literary forms. Scientific Awards and Honors: Humboldt Research Award (2011) Fellow, Whitney Humanities Center (2012–2014) Szondi-Lecture, FU Berlin (2013) Luebeck Lecture, Ohio State University (2014) Fellow, Internationales Forschungszentrum Kulturwissenschaften, Vienna (2016) Campe has been actively involved in academic leadership, including co-convening the Sawyer Seminar The Excessive Screen at Yale. He regularly presents at major international conferences and institutions, demonstrating his role as a leading figure in comparative literary studies. He has also contributed significantly to edited volumes and interdisciplinary dialogues in the humanities.

M. Cathleen KavenyView profile

Professor

• Law
• Ethics
• Medical Ethics
• +5 more

M. Cathleen Kaveny is the Darald and Juliet Libby Professor of Theology at Boston College, specializing in the intersection of law, ethics, and religious morality. She holds a J.D. and Ph.D. from Yale University, alongside multiple degrees from Princeton and Yale. Her research focuses on law’s role in pluralistic societies, health care ethics, rhetoric’s ethical implications, and the balance between mercy and justice. Education: A.B., Princeton University M.A., Yale University M.Phil., Yale University J.D., Yale University Ph.D., Yale University Research Interests: Professor Kaveny explores how law interacts with religious and moral frameworks, particularly in bioethics, medical ethics, and complicity with wrongdoing. She emphasizes the ethical dimensions of legal rhetoric and the societal implications of mercy in judicial systems. Publications: Her work includes award-winning books like *Law’s Virtues* (2012) and *Prophecy without Contempt* (2016), alongside articles addressing topics from Vatican II to family law cases like *Watts v. Watts*. Her scholarship bridges theological, legal, and ethical perspectives. Awards: First Place Award in “Faithful Citizenship” from the Catholic Press Association (2012) Teaching and Engagement: She teaches contract law and interdisciplinary seminars on topics like “Law and Religion” and “Complicity.” Her columns in *Commonweal* further highlight her public engagement with ethical and legal issues.

Walter JostView profile

Professor

• Critical Theory
• Literary Theory
• Rhetoric
• +4 more

Walter Jost is a Professor at the University of Virginia, specializing in Critical Theory, Literary Theory, and Rhetoric. His work bridges philosophy, literature, and religious communication, with a focus on ordinary language criticism and modernist literary analysis. Educational Background: Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1985 M.A., University of Chicago, 1979 M.A., University of Chicago, 1974 B.A. (cum laude), St. Louis University, 1973 Research Interests: Jost’s scholarship examines rhetoric in poetry and narrative, the intersections of philosophy and literature, and the application of ordinary language methods to literary analysis. His work frequently explores themes like pluralism, ethical communication, and modernist aesthetics. Recent Trends in Publications: His recent articles (2025–2000) analyze rhetorical structures in Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, and Wittgensteinian frameworks, while his books like Rhetorical Investigations and Ordinary Language Criticism establish foundational theories in literary and rhetorical studies. Awards & Recognition: 2018 Religious Communication Association Scholar of the Year 2001 International Society for the History of Rhetoric Travel Grant Multiple University of Virginia Sesquicentennial Research Awards 1994 Senior Fellow at the Commonwealth Center for Literary and Cultural Change Grants & Contributions: Jost has received grants for teaching innovation and research, including the 1999 Teaching Initiative Grant. His edited works, such as The Blackwell Companion to the Philosophy of Literature , reflect his leadership in interdisciplinary scholarship.

Joël Castonguay-BélangerView profile

Associate Professor

• 18th-century French literature
• The Enlightenment
• History of the book and print culture
• +3 more

Joël Castonguay-Bélanger is an Associate Professor of French at the University of British Columbia, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies. He joined UBC in 2009 after a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, following a joint PhD from Université de Montréal and Université Paris IV-Sorbonne (2007) and an MA from McGill University (2002). His research focuses on 18th-century French literature, the intersection of literary and scientific discourses, the Enlightenment, and Québec literature. He is an associate member of the Centre de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Sociocritique des Textes (CRIST). Castonguay-Bélanger has published extensively in journals such as Études françaises , Papers on French Seventeenth Century Literature , and Eighteenth-Century Fiction , as well as edited volumes. His 2008 monograph Les écarts de l’imagination examines scientific representations in 18th-century novels. He co-edited Voltaire à la radio canadienne (2013) and served as co-editor of Lumen (2017). Current projects include a critical edition of Louis-Guillaume de La Folie’s Le Philosophe sans prétention and a study of Louis-Sébastien Mercier’s anti-Newtonian writings. His teaching focuses on French language and literature, including courses like FREN 101 and FREN 102 at UBC. His work bridges literary analysis with historical context, emphasizing how scientific ideas shaped cultural narratives during the Enlightenment. He received the Peter Wall Institute Early Career Scholar award (2010), reflecting his contributions to interdisciplinary scholarship.

Paul LynchView profile

Professor

• rhetoric of religion
• rhetorical theory
• writing pedagogy
• +3 more

Paul Lynch serves as Professor in the Department of English within Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he maintains an active research profile at the intersection of rhetoric and religious studies. His scholarly work focuses on rhetorical theory, writing pedagogy, and the rhetoric of religion, with particular attention to Catholic educational traditions and spiritual formation. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in English, Purdue University (2008) Lynch's research explores how religious discourse shapes pedagogical practices, examining figures like René Girard and Pope Francis through rhetorical frameworks. His recent work investigates spiritual exercises in teaching, Jesuit educational identity, and the rhetoric of Catholic institutional crisis. This research bridges theoretical rhetoric with practical applications in faith-based education and writing instruction. His publication trajectory (2015-2025) reveals consistent engagement with three core areas: Girardian rhetorical theory (12 publications), Catholic educational rhetoric (9 publications), and writing pedagogy (7 publications). Notably, his 2024-2025 works show increased focus on contemporary Catholic institutional challenges while maintaining his longstanding interest in spiritual dimensions of teaching. His scholarly recognition includes: 2023 Ignite Seminar Teacher of the Year, University Core 2018 Article of the Year Award from the Religious Communication Association 2010 James H. Korn Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award No information is available regarding graduate student advising or research grants. Lynch contributes to Saint Louis University's mission through his scholarship on Catholic rhetorical education and spiritual formation in teaching, though no specific labs or research teams are documented in the provided materials.

• Philosophy
• Hermeneutics
• Existential Analytics
• +3 more

Jaroslav Novotný is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague. His academic work bridges philosophy and literary analysis, focusing on hermeneutics, existential analytics, and the history of metaphysics through dialogical frameworks. Education: Ph.D. in Philosophy (2007, Charles University), Mgr. in Philosophy (2002, Charles University), Bc. in Philosophy (1998, Faculty of Humanities). Career: Lecturer (2002–2007), Senior Lecturer (2007–present), and Head of the Philosophy Module (2005–2019). His research explores the interplay between philosophical concepts and literary works (e.g., J. Hašek, B. Hrabal), emphasizing existential spatiality, temporal constitution, and metaphysical dialogues. Key themes include attunement (Stimmung), the openness of being, and dialectical transformations. Recent publications focus on Heideggerian interpretations, epideictic rhetoric, and the ontological dimensions of art and literature. He contributes to the faculty's research projects such as COOPERATIO, Text and Image in Phenomenology, and Phenomenology and Semiotics. Active in institutional research initiatives like the Centre for Phenomenological Research and the Anthropology of Communication, he has participated in grants including GACR and PROGRES schemes, advancing interdisciplinary studies in philosophy and phenomenology.

Sean Patrick O'RourkeView profile

Professor

• Rhetoric
• Rhetoric of Law
• Civil Rights Movement
• +5 more

Sean Patrick O'Rourke is Professor of Rhetoric and American Studies at The University of the South (Sewanee), holding joint appointments and serving as Chair of both programs, Co-Director of the Center for Speaking & Listening, and Co-Coordinator of the Southern Colloquium on Rhetoric. His work centers on rhetoric's role in democratic civic life, focusing on freedom of speech, protest discourse, and legal rhetoric within American public culture. O'Rourke's educational background includes: B.A. and M.A. from Humboldt State University J.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon His research examines the rhetoric of civil rights movements, judicial opinions, and protest strategies, with particular attention to how communication shapes democratic engagement. O'Rourke investigates historical and contemporary manifestations of public address, emphasizing embodied protest tactics like sit-ins and the rhetorical construction of legal rights. His scholarship bridges rhetorical theory, legal studies, and social movement analysis to explore how discourse enables collective action and civic participation. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on civil rights rhetoric, judicial discourse, and protest communication across historical and contemporary contexts. O'Rourke's work reveals patterns in how marginalized groups deploy rhetorical strategies to challenge power structures, with increasing attention to visual rhetoric and the role of memory in social justice movements. Award highlights include: NEH and Lilly Fellowships (multiple) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Distinguished Mentorship Award Donald Ragsdale Award for Mentoring University Award for Excellence in Scholarship James Madison Award for Free Speech Scholarship O'Rourke has directed over 100 undergraduate research projects resulting in conference presentations and publications, supported by grants from the Mellon Foundation, Associated Colleges of the South, and Alliance to Advance Liberal Arts Colleges. He co-directed Sewanee's Quality Enhancement Plan (2016-2021) focused on speaking and learning. He co-directs the Center for Speaking & Listening, coordinates the Southern Colloquium on Rhetoric, and advises the Sewanee Debate Union, fostering student development in public discourse and competitive debate.

• Ancient Rhetoric Theory
• Rhetoric of Humanism
• Topical Theory
• +5 more

Thomas Zinsmaier is a Lecturer at the Department of General Rhetoric and Philology, University of Tübingen, with a career spanning Latin, philosophy, and history. His work focuses on ancient rhetoric theory, humanist rhetoric, topical theory, and figure theory. He previously served as an editor for the DFG project "Historical Dictionary of Rhetoric" from 1994 to 2011, contributing to antiquity, medieval, and Renaissance periods. His research explores Roman declamations, fictitious court speeches from the early imperial era, and the interplay between rhetoric and classical philosophy. He has published extensively on Quintilian, Cicero, and early humanist texts, with a 2021 co-edited book on Peuerbach's rhetoric and poetics. His 15 most recent publications cover themes like rhetorical lexikographie, epideictic speech, and topical analysis. Thomas Zinsmaier holds a PhD in Latin from the University of Konstanz (1992), with a dissertation on pseudo-Quintilianic declamations. He teaches Latin and collaborates with scholars like Joachim Knape and Thomas Schirren on classical and humanist rhetoric. His academic output includes monographs, journal articles, and book reviews in fields such as Ancient Rhetoric Theory , Humanist Rhetoric , and Classical Latin Studies .

Christos KremmydasView profile

Professor

• Greek social history
• Political history
• Legal history
• +5 more

Christos Kremmydas is a Professor of Classics at Royal Holloway, University of London, serving as Head of the Department of Classics and affiliated with the Centre for Oratory and Rhetoric and the Hellenic Institute. His research focuses on Greek social, political, and legal history, oratory, rhetoric, historiography, epigraphy, and papyrology. He has held prestigious fellowships, including the Elizabeth and J. Richardson Dilworth Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (2017), and was elected as a Council Member of the International Society for the History of Rhetoric (2017). Professor Kremmydas has authored and edited numerous books, including Commentary on Demosthenes Against Leptines (2012) and contributed to seminal volumes like Hellenistic Oratory: Continuity and Change (2013). His work explores ancient rhetorical practices, forensic strategies, and the interplay between ethos and logos in classical texts. Recent research includes analyses of Thucydides' Assembly debates and Dio Chrysostom's civic orations, emphasizing narrative suspense and argumentative frameworks in ancient oratory. His scholarly contributions span articles in journals like Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies and collaborative projects, including a Humboldt Foundation Senior Research Fellowship (2018–2020). Kremmydas has engaged in public outreach, such as radio appearances discussing ancient oratory’s relevance to modern discourse, and has advised three graduate students in his field.

Denise M. BostdorffView profile

Professor

• Political Rhetoric
• Presidential Rhetoric
• Crisis Communication
• +4 more

Denise M. Bostdorff is a Professor of Communication Studies at The College of Wooster, currently on leave for the 2024-25 academic year. She holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University (1987), an M.A. from the University of Illinois (1983), and a B.S. from Bowling Green State University (1982). Her research focuses on political rhetoric, presidential communication during crises, and issues of war, peace, and race. She has authored two influential books and published widely in journals like the Quarterly Journal of Speech and Rhetoric & Public Affairs . Dr. Bostdorff has taught courses ranging from introductory communication studies to advanced topics like rhetorical criticism and the rhetoric of civil rights. Her work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Bruce E. Gronbeck Award (2010) and the Jeanne Robertson Outstanding Communication Professor Award (2000). She has advised student organizations such as Lambda Pi Eta and College Democrats, exemplifying her commitment to experiential learning. Her scholarship bridges historical analysis with contemporary issues, emphasizing how rhetoric shapes public memory and political action. Notable research includes analyses of presidential speeches on crises, the rhetorical evolution of Cold War policies, and modern political figures like Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Her work often explores the intersection of power, memory, and identity in public discourse.

Peter MoeView profile

Associate Professor

• Composition Studies
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Pedagogy
• +3 more

Peter Moe is an Associate Professor of English and Director of University Writing at Whitworth University. He joined the faculty in 2023 and holds a Ph.D. in English (Composition, Literacy, Pedagogy, and Rhetoric) from the University of Pittsburgh (2015), an M.A. in English (Rhetoric & Composition) from Eastern Washington University (2010), and a B.A. in English (Literature) from Western Washington University (2005). His research focuses on writing pedagogy, rhetoric, and the intersection of composition studies with ordinary language philosophy. Notable works include the book Touching This Leviathan (2021), recognized as a Seattle Times Favorite Book of 2021, and the forthcoming Why Sentences Matter . He co-edited Inventing the Discipline: Student Work in Composition Studies (2022) and created a 29-foot gray whale skeleton installation at Seattle Pacific University (2020). Moe teaches courses like English 110 (Writing & Design), English 346W (Essay Writing), and English 382 (Rhetorical Methods & Approaches). His writing has appeared in Pedagogy , Notre Dame Magazine , and Longreads , with a focus on sentence-level composition theory and interdisciplinary pedagogy. Awards: Seattle Times Favorite Book of 2021 Key Projects: Whale skeleton installation, composition pedagogy books Grants/Advising: No explicit grants listed, but actively involved in university writing initiatives Moe’s work bridges scholarly composition theory with creative public installations, reflecting his Spokane roots and dedication to accessible writing education.

Matthew BostView profile

Associate Professor

• Rhetoric
• Philosophy
• Social Change
• +4 more

Matthew Bost is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Rhetoric, Writing, and Public Discourse (RWPD) Department at Whitman College since 2016. His research explores intersections of rhetoric, philosophy, and social change, with a focus on Marxist theory, feminist/queer rhetoric, and sensory studies. He teaches courses on rhetorical theory, gender/sexuality, capitalism, and the senses. Education: Ph.D. Communications Studies (Rhetoric), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2013) M.A. Communications Studies (Rhetoric), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2009) B.A. Rhetoric and Media Studies, Willamette University (2007) Research Interests: Bost examines rhetoric’s role in shaping social movements and political economy. His work analyzes Marx’s texts to uncover rhetorical strategies for reimagining political communities. He applies immanent materialism to study how rhetoric intertwines with class, gender, and sensory experience. Recent projects address debt’s political implications and nonhuman elements in rhetorical systems. Professional Engagement: He organized interdisciplinary conferences like 'Reading Marx into the 21st Century' (2018) and co-chaired NCA preconferences on 'The Commons.' His scholarship appears in Rhetoric Society Quarterly , Philosophy and Rhetoric , and Review of Communication . Teaching: Courses bridge classical and contemporary theory with practical analysis of visual, auditory, and tactile communication. Emphasis on rhetoric’s role in identity formation and social justice movements.

Leni Ribeiro LeiteView profile

Associate Professor

• Latin Poetry of the Flavian Era
• Rhetoric and Poetics in Latin Literature
• Epideictic Genre
• +3 more

Leni Ribeiro Leite is an Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Kentucky, affiliated with the Department of Classics and interdisciplinary programs like Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies. Previously, she held positions at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (Brazil) as Associate (2017-2021) and Assistant Professor (2009-2016). Her research focuses on Flavian Latin poetry, rhetoric in classical literature, epideictic genres, and the role of Latin in Latin America and colonial Brazilian contexts. Her work bridges ancient and modern studies, emphasizing classical legacies in Luso-Hispanic worlds. Key interests include Lucan’s historiographical approach, Statius’ epic prologues, and the adaptation of classical models in colonial Brazilian literature. She actively promotes Latin pedagogy through textbooks like Latine Loqui and innovative teaching methods, advocating for communicative Latin instruction in Brazilian universities. Publications span over two decades, with recent contributions examining Domitian’s portrayal in Flavian epic, translingualism in Latin American Neo-Latin texts, and the intertextuality between Camões’ Os Lusíadas and colonial-era works. She co-edits volumes on classical reception and collaborates with institutions like the Renaissance Society of America and Brazilian Classical Studies Society. Her research integrates archaeology, literary analysis, and cultural studies, addressing themes like ancient historiography, rhetorical strategies in colonial texts, and the sociohistorical dimensions of classical education.