| Welcome to |
Gavilan College English Department |
|---|---|
Contact Information |
Cheryl Chaffin (Please note: The best way to reach me is via email. I do not check phone mail on a regular basis.) |
| Academic Background | I have an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. BA from San Jose State University. I have been with Gavilan College since 2001. Currently I'm a Ph.D. candidate in Humanities with Union Institute & University. |
| Areas of Expertise | Creative writing; memoir & autobiography; contemporary literature; critical thinking and textual analysis; social justice issues and ethics; second language learners; openness to multiplicity of student experiences and backgrounds. |
| Course Information | For Fall 2009 session I teach one section of English1C Critical Reasoning & Writing (Section 10135) online. Click here for the course home page for English 1C. |
| Teaching Approach | Students in my courses write narrative, analytic/critical, and research essays. We focus on good literature -- novels, memoirs, and short essays as a means of developing and refining our own writing, language, and critical capacity. Emphasis is on clarity of thought and expression and improvement in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Students are encouaged to express and deepen ideas and questions (both in writing and reading). I also emphasize learning to speak and share aloud (in online forum discussions) and creation of increasing confidence around learning in community and articulating your mind to others. |