Kathryn Swanson

Professor Emerita, Student Teacher Supervisor

CB 55
swanson@augsburg.edu

Kathryn Swanson has been a professor of English at Augsburg for almost thirty years. During this time, she has taught a wide variety of courses in writing and literature and served as chair of the department for eighteen years. Kathy also founded the Augsburg Writing Lab, a valuable service for all students — thanks to the many wonderful tutors who have worked there over the years. Her research interests lie in composition theory and pedagogy, especially gender differences in students’ writing and responses to writing. Dr. Swanson has taught courses in language and power and composition theory and practice in addition to courses in all levels of writing, introduction to literature, and world lit: Greek to Renaissance and Renaissance to Modern. She also enjoys teaching women and fiction as a women’s studies/English course. Another interest is mystery fiction, especially novels written by women writers and featuring female sleuths. Kathy also regularly has taught courses in leadership and literature for the Masters of Arts in Leadership Program.

Professor Swanson in a former Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, speaks Thai, and has taught a course for Augsburg students in Thailand every other May. Other work-related activities include serving for over twenty years as a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission.

Non-work related activities include spending summers in the North Woods with family and dog Millie, gardening, and practicing yoga. She enjoys music, is an out-of-practice cellist, a slow knitter, and a failed football pooler.

Education

  • B.A. St. Olaf College
  • M.A. University of Minnesota
  • Ph.D. University of Minnesota