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Kathryn J. McClain, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of American Literature in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication at Colorado Mesa University. Currently, she teaches American literature courses, composition courses, and Maverick Milestone courses on literature, sociology and gender studies. Overall, her courses allow students to immerse themselves in the narratives around them to engage with their present reality. Students are therefore encouraged to use their knowledge about literature, scholarship, rhetorical writings, and adaptations to create their own research-based creative projects.

Her primary areas of research include 19th-20th century American literature, adaptation studies, masculinities studies, and contemporary popular culture. Her dissertation research focused on contemporary adaptations of early 20th century American protest literature; she was most recently published in Adaptation, and her current project considers representations of authorized grief and adapted violence in 21st century adaptations of American literature.

McClain is also a founding editor for the website Adaptation Today. Her work for the website primarily focuses on peer-reviewed pedagogical resources for fellow teachers interested in adaptations within the college classroom setting. Such materials include syllabi, assignments, lesson plans, and contributions to the website’s blog “What I Learned Teaching Adaptation Today."

Kathryn J. McClain’s CV