Faculty Profile
Kurt Stavenhagen
Instructor
Writing Program
243 Marshall Hall
Education
- Ph.D. Composition and Cultural Rhetoric, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 2016 [this academic field explores theories of writing and communication strategies]
- MA English- La Sierra University, Riverside, CA 1997
- BA Theology-Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA 1990
Bio
Kurt teaches professional communication, literature, and writing. Studies show contemplation increases attentional control, emotional regulation, and self-awareness, which underpin learning and creativity (Davidson, 2008). Likewise, natural environments restore depleted cognitive resources and increase creative problem-solving (Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S., 1995). Kurt helps people and organizations use contemplative techniques and designed ambiance to foster resilience, insight, and authentic connection. He explores how nature-based ambiance, playful humor, breath/bodywork, and life writing ground learning and well-being.
Kurt has presented at numerous regional and national scholarly communication conferences. Some of his scholarly writing explores a contemplative use of AI ("Kicking It Back With Chat GPT," 2023), communication strategies that prime the "opportune moment" ("Contemplation as Kairotic Composure," 2019), and the use of life writing to advance learning
His book The Chase (2022) reimagines the ancient love poem The Song of Songs, weaving modern metaphors and vivid imagery to celebrate divine/human love and the earth’s abundance.
When he’s not teaching or writing, Kurt enjoys crafting video meditations of natural landscapes—and savoring a good cup of tea.
Courses
Environmental Writing (EWP 190), Research Writing and Humanities (EWP 290), and Writing for Science and Environmental Professionals (EWP 407).
Research Interests
- Intersections between the practices of gratitude, meditation, and health.
- Environmental Rhetoric
- Composition and Rhetoric
- Nature Writing
- Professional Writing
- The use of AI for brainstorming and drafting documents
Presentations and Publications
Publications
The Chase. Bowker, 2022.
“Relational Literacy.” Published in a special section of the Journal of the Assembly on Expanded Perspectives on Learning entitled, “Encountering the Natural World: Environmental Education in the Arts and Humanities.” July 2019.
“Contemplation as Kairotic Composure.” Published in a special issue of the journal Across the Disciplines entitled, “Contemplative Writing Across the Disciplines.” March 2019.
“Whose Honey, Whose Hive: Rhetorical Agency in Colony Collapse Disorder.” The presentation was selected for publication from the 5th Iowa State University Summer Symposium on Science Communication, June 2016; in Jean Goodwin (Ed.), Confronting the Challenges of Public Participation: Issues in Environmental, Planning and Health Decision-Making (pp. 227-233). Charleston, SC: CreateSpace.
Review of Home Ground: Language for An American Landscape (Eds. Barry Lopez and Debra Gwartney) in Community Literacy Journal, Fall, 2009.
Presentations
“Embodying Permission: Using Lifewriting to Co-create Spaces That Reinvent the Required College Research-Writing Class.” AEPL Annual Writing Conference (June 2024).
“Kicking It Back with ChatGPT: Coaching Shared Screen AI Literacies through Inquiry-Driven Classroom Exercises.” SUNY Council on Writing Annual Conference (October 2023).
“Transforming/Teaching: A Roundtable on Inner Work and Its Effect on Our Writing Classrooms.” Eastern Association of Pennsylvania State Universities Annual Conference. October 2022.
“Zoom Pedagogy Tips.” SUNY-ESF’s Hardy L. Shirley Faculty Mentoring Colloquium. January 2021.
“Relational Literacy: Toward Revisioning Ecocomposition as a Co-creative, Co-performative Space.” 2019 Conference on College Composition and Communication, Pittsburg, PA
“Plant Something: Performance-Rhetoric, Community Writing, and Food Activism.” All-day pre-conference workshop associated with the 2019 Conference on College Composition and Communication, Pittsburg, PA
“Contemplative Exercises to Promote Kinship with the Earth and Each Other: an Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Relational Literacy.” 2018 Assembly of Expanded Perspectives on Learning Conference, Estes Park, CO
“Toward Relational Literacy: Using Kinship Theory to Integrate the Voices of Nonhumans in Education.” 2018 Rhetorical Society of America Conference, Minneapolis, MN
“The Language, Literacy, and Labor of Food Justice: Bees and Beekeepers.” 2018 Conference on College Composition and Communication, St Louis, MO
“Cultivating New Lines of Inquiry: Rural Research and Advocacy.” 2017 Conference on College Composition and Communication, Portland, OR
“Coaching the Publication of an Undergraduate Online Magazine.” 2017 Conference on College Composition and Communication, Portland, OR
“Whose Honey, Whose Hive: Rhetorical Agency in Colony Collapse Disorder.” 2016 Iowa State University Summer Symposium on Science Communication, Ames, IA
“A Tale of Two Countries: France and the U.S. Stakeholder Agency in Colony Collapse Disorder.” 2015 Environmental Studies Presentation Series, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY
“Mindfulness Classroom Exercises: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Prescription.” 2015 Faculty Brownbag Discussions, Syracuse University Humanities Center, Syracuse, NY