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Andrew Lamers
Professor of English
Bakersfield College
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Andrew Lamers
Professor of English
Bakersfield College
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B.A., English,
University of Kansas, 1984. |
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B.A., Mass Media
Communications, University of Kansas, 1984. |
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M.A.,
English (composition and Native American
Lit.), University of Kansas, 1991. |
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My experiences in radio, advertising, promotions,
human resources, and
public relations all give me a unique appreciation of how companies
value employees with strong reading and writing skills. In all of these positions, the ability
of employees to comprehend what they read and to communicate
effectively through writing was essential to the companies' success.
This was true for both the small
local companies and the larger corporations for which I worked, such as USA Today and General Mills. |
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In addition to
teaching at Bakersfield College since 1996, I’ve taught English classes at the
University of Kansas and at Neosho Valley Community College (also in
Kansas) from 1989-1996. |
Teaching Philosophy:
"The teacher opens the door, but the student must walk through it." -- Zen proverb
If you are (or ever have been) one of my students, chances are that you've seen or heard this proverb before. I want my students to feel comfortable approaching me with questions or when they need assistance understanding course information or completing course work, but at the same time, this does not mean that I will spoon-feed them the answers. I focus on getting students to take an active part in their own educations and not to fall into the role of "passive learners" who expect that everything they need to learn in class will simply be given to them without much (if any) effort on their parts.
My experience as an employee for various companies and corporations is reflected in my expectations as an instructor. Students are required to contact me before class begins regarding absences and tardies, to bring the necessary materials -- specifically their textbooks, which they must purchase -- to each class period, and to complete assignments according to the deadlines set in the syllabus. Setting these standards in my classes helps students understand that these are the exact kind of minimum requirements their future employers will have of them, and they will be expected to take personal responsibility for their actions/education.
Office Location and
Office Hours
OFFICE:
H-40
(Humanities Building) OFFICE HOURS: SPRING 2010 Mondays + Wednesdays 10:15 -- 11:45
OFFICE PHONE: (661) 395-4399 (with 24-hour voice mail)
Please Note: I rarely check voice mail during holidays and semester breaks. Students are encouraged to email me at the address listed below.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MAIN OFFICE: English department office: 395-4252 (emergencies only) STUDENTS NEEDING COURSE INFORMATION, BOOK LISTS, HANDOUTS, ETC., SHOULD EMAIL ME AT THE ADDRESS BELOW: CAMPUS EMAIL: alamers@bakersfieldcollege.edu
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Courses Taught:
Required Texts: Strategies for College Writing (Harris/Moseley) ISBN: 0-321-19662-7
A college-level dictionary (comes free with new textbook)
Upon the successful completion of English 60, the student will
have acquired the abilities to do the following:
Required Texts: New Century Pocket Guide for Writers, 3rd. edition (ISBN: 0-321-39957-9)
The Mercury Reader (ISBN: 0-5639-9671-7)
The Taming of the Shrew (ISBN: 1-414-0100-X)
A Farewell to Arms (ISBN: 0-684-80146-9)
Troubleshooting Guide for Writers, 5th edition (ISBN not available)
Upon the successful completion of English 1A, the student will have acquired the abilities to do the following:
- Read and think critically;
- Evaluate and establish the credibility of print and online sources;
- Demonstrate the legitimate use of scholarly sources by
- using library and online reference materials;
- summarizing and paraphrasing sources;
- synthesizing multiple sources;
- avoiding plagiarism.
- Write paper(s) that
- demonstrate the use of expository and argumentative or persuasive forms of writing;
- reflect an orderly research and writing process;
- use correct MLA form and documentation;
- show evidence of drafting, editing, and revision to reflect an academic style and tone.
English
1B – Introduction to Types of Literature
Required Texts: Introduction to Literature (Kennedy -- portable 10th edition) ISBN: 0321-47580-1
A Prayer for Owen Meany (Irving) ISBN: 0-345-36179-2
Macbeth (Shakespeare) ISBN: 0-321-43678-4
A Troubleshooting Guide for Writers, 5th edition (Clouse) ISBN not available
Upon the successful completion of English 1B, the student will have acquired the abilities to do the following:
- Recognize and differentiate between the major genres of imaginative literature: poetry, drama, prose, and prose fiction;
- Identify and discuss both themes and technical matters (forms, divisions, tropes, and so on);
- Write critical essays that demonstrate knowledge of works in at least three of the major genres;
- Use MLA format in quotations, citations, and works cited lists.
English 10 – Introduction to Shakespeare
Upon the successful completion of English 10, the student will have acquired the abilities to do the following:
read and comprehend Elizabethan English
interpret meanings and establish relationships between selected plays and sonnets by Shakespeare
utilize proper terminology, tools, and techniques to discuss and analyze Shakespeare's works
write essays that will demonstrate sufficient mastery of basic themes and techniques in Shakespeare’s dramatic and non-dramatic works
perform out-of-class research related to biographical, literary, and historical criticism of Shakespeare’s work and related historical issues
Please note: This website is updated infrequently. As a result, students seeking additional
information about course policies, handouts, syllabi, etc., are encouraged
to email the instructor at the address below:
alamers@bakersfieldcollege.edu
last updated 13 January 2010
