Ryan Friesen

Ryan Friesen is a Teaching Professor in the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He specializes in college composition, Early Modern literature, comic books as social commentary, supernatural themes in literature, and dreams as literary and cultural themes. His work emphasizes the humanities' role in understanding human existence and societal values.

Education:

• PhD in English, University of Leeds, UK (2005)
• MA in Medieval Studies, University of Leeds, UK (2002)
• MA in English, Winona State University, MN (2001)
• BA in English and History with a Philosophy minor, Winona State University, MN (1998)

Research Interests: Friesen’s research bridges Early Modern literature and contemporary cultural analysis. He explores how supernatural motifs, dreams, and comic narratives reflect societal anxieties and human aspirations. His work often critiques instrumentalism in education, advocating for the humanities’ role in fostering critical thinking and empathy.

Publications: He has authored two academic books—Supernatural Fiction in Early Modern Drama and Culture (2009) and The Nightly Act of Dreaming (2019)—and a novel, I Have a Speech of Fire (2024). These works highlight his interdisciplinary approach, blending literary analysis with cultural and cognitive studies.

Teaching and Career: Friesen has taught at UW-La Crosse since 2005, offering courses like College Writing, Shakespeare, and Literature and Human Experience: The Comic Book. Earlier roles include literature instruction at the University of Leeds and composition teaching at Winona State University.

Labs/Teams: No lab affiliations are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.