Jennie Joiner

Dr. Jennie Joiner serves as Division Chair and Professor of English at Keuka College, where she has established a distinguished career in American literary studies with a specialized focus on geography and place-based analysis. Her leadership extends to the Digital Yoknapatawpha project, a significant National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)-funded collaboration with the University of Virginia.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. from University of Kansas
• M.A. from University of Oregon
• B.A. from Georgia State University

Professor Joiner's research centers on the dynamic relationship between literature and geography, particularly examining how American writers define themselves through regional settings. Her work with authors like Faulkner, O'Connor, and Morrison demonstrates how physical landscapes shape narrative construction and cultural identity. This geographical approach has evolved into innovative digital humanities scholarship through her leadership in the Digital Yoknapatawpha project, which transforms literary analysis through spatial technology.

Her recent publications, including the 2021 book chapter From Yoknapatawpha to the Virtual World, reveal a clear trajectory toward integrating traditional literary scholarship with digital mapping methodologies. This work positions her at the forefront of geocritical studies, where spatial analysis meets textual interpretation to reveal new dimensions in American literature.

Professor Joiner's scholarly contributions appear in respected venues including Mississippi Quarterly and the Faulkner Journal, demonstrating consistent engagement with Southern literary traditions. While specific individual awards aren't detailed in available materials, her NEH-funded project leadership signifies recognition as a leading scholar in her field.

As Division Chair, she oversees departmental operations while maintaining an active research agenda. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning through courses like Literature, Nature, Place that connect classroom study with New York State's literary landscapes. The NEH grant supporting her digital humanities work provides substantial resources for collaborative research and technological innovation.

Professor Joiner's primary research affiliation is the Digital Yoknapatawpha project, where she serves as Senior Collaborating Editor. This international initiative brings together Faulkner scholars to create interactive digital maps of Yoknapatawpha County, demonstrating her commitment to advancing literary scholarship through technological innovation and collaborative research methodologies.