معرفی
David L. Orvis serves as Professor and Assistant Chair of the Department of English within Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences. His scholarship centers on the intersection of early modern literature and queer theory, with particular expertise in Shakespeare, Milton, and Renaissance women writers including Katherine Philips.
Education:
- Ph.D. in English, The University of Arizona
- M.A. in English, The University of Arizona
- B.A. in English, Washington College (Chestertown, MD)
Professor Orvis's research fundamentally reinterprets Renaissance texts through queer lenses, examining how early modern literature constructs and challenges norms of gender, sexuality, and marriage. His work reveals complex same-sex relationships in canonical works while recovering queer dimensions in non-canonical texts, particularly women's writing. This approach bridges historical scholarship with contemporary queer theory to demonstrate the period's relevance to modern identity discourses.
His publication trajectory shows sustained engagement with Shakespearean comedy (2017-2018), Miltonic theology (2014), and Restoration drama (2010), culminating in recent work on early modern women's poetry (2023). The consistent focus on queerness across genres—from sonnets to stage plays—demonstrates a cohesive scholarly project that destabilizes heteronormative readings of the period.
Awards:
- The Academy of Outstanding Teachers, College of Arts and Sciences (2015-2016)
- William C. Strickland Outstanding Young Faculty Award (2013)
- Milton Society of America's Irene Samuel Award for 'Queer Milton'
As Assistant Chair of the English Department, Professor Orvis combines administrative leadership with nationally recognized scholarship. His editorial work on multi-author collections demonstrates collaborative academic leadership, while teaching awards confirm excellence in pedagogy. The provided text contains no information about current research grants or student advising activities.
