معرفی
Laura Feitzinger Brown is an Associate Professor of English at Converse University, where she also serves as Director of Arts and Humanities and Co-Director of the Nisbet Honors Program. She chairs the Department of English and plays a vital role in shaping interdisciplinary humanities education. Her academic home is in the College of Arts and Sciences within the Department of English.
Education:
- BA – Williams College
- MA in English – University of Virginia
- PhD in English – University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- MA in Theology – Saint Leo’s University (2020)
Dr. Brown's research centers on Renaissance British literature, with a focus on early modern religious writing, Catholic Englishwomen such as Mary Ward, the role of hearing in religious practice, and Shakespearean drama. Her teaching spans Shakespeare, early modern women writers, adolescent literature, and music and poetry. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and has developed courses on life planning for honors students, integrating themes of career, graduate school, and work-family balance.
Her recent scholarly output reflects a strong engagement with religious and literary history, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. Publications and reviews appear in venues like Sixteenth Century Journal, English Language Notes, and Christianity and Literature, covering topics from sermons and spirituality to gender and performance. Her conference presentations highlight both her research and her commitment to pedagogy and faculty development.
Scientific Awards:
- Converse’s 2014 nomination for the SC Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award
- Katheryne Amelia Brown Teaching Award (2005)
Dr. Brown is actively involved in advising honors students and has designed a seminar on post-graduation planning that addresses graduate school, job markets, and balancing family and career. She has led major academic events such as the Converse Shakespeare Festival (2003), the 'Hymns in the South' Symposium (2009), and the 'Bringing History to Life' conference (2013), which brought together faculty, students, and K–12 educators with prominent authors like Ruta Sepetys. Her administrative leadership and collaborative spirit are central to her academic identity.
She has also contributed to national conversations on research sustainability in teaching-intensive environments, notably through a 2021 panel for the Renaissance Society of America. Her interdisciplinary work bridges literature, theology, history, and education, making her a key figure in the humanities at Converse.
