Welcome! You have found the online home of Dr. Joe Wilferth, UC Foundation Associate Professor  and Associate Head of English.

In 2002, I joined the faculty in the Department of English (in Holt Hall) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where I teach undergraduate courses in rhetoric and professional writing.  Likewise, I teach graduate seminars in ancient rhetoric, modern rhetorical theory, rhetorical analysis, and proposal/prospectus writing.  In doing so, I've always maintained a playful interest in a variety of instructional technologies--i.e., computer technologies which may assist students in mastering course material.

In addition to my interest in professional writing (along with issues of access within the field of professional writing), my research and writing interests include work on ecocriticism and its intersections with rhetorical analysis.  Similarly, I recently co-edited with Dr. Kevin DeLuca (University of Utah) a special issue of the online journal Enculturation. This special issue contains a collection of essays devoted to the subject of "image events" or staged acts of protest that are designed for media distribution.

Prior to joining the faculty at UTC, I earned degrees at:

DePauw University (B.A.) including study at Albert Ludwigs Universität in Freiburg, Germany
Southeast Missouri State University (M.A.) 
Bowling Green State University (Ph.D. in English: Rhetoric and Writing).

The most important thing I should mention is that I value most my students and the learning that takes place within and without the walls of the university. Teaching is my passion; it's in my blood and it's what I enjoy.  For that reason, a few teaching quotes are included here.

Joe Wilferth

Savage Gulf - The Stone Door
e-mail
home