About Me

I received my PhD in English from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2016 with a focus on written discourse. I have a MA in English (2012) also from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a focus in contemporary literature.

My Dissertation: Convergence Culture and Competing Literacy Sponsors in Post-Arab Spring Movements by Rachel Cantrell

A rhetorical analysis of activist literacy events in post-Arab Spring protests movements through the lens of convergence culture illustrates the competing literacy sponsorships between (1) participants vs. broadcast media and (2) social media vs governments. Unpacking their media literacy practices illustrates how these activists utilize social media and technology to challenge their governments and corporate broadcast media reporting about their protests and activities. This rhetorical analysis includes the literacy events that illustrate competing literacy sponsorship in the following discourse communities: Occupy movements, Turkey’s Gezi Park, the Ferguson race protests in the United States, the 2008 presidential race, and Texas Senator Wendy Davis’s 2013 filibuster.

This analysis of these media literacy practices will show how these discourse communities use media to open up dialogues within their communities in order to enact social change and how it illustrates the opposing forces trying to regulate the internet to shut down this dialogue as it threatens authoritarianism while breeding democracy. These movements can be analyzed to illustrate how media literacy is being harnessed within these different discourse communities as a form of resistance to challenge neo-liberal systems and organize action from their dialogue. The rhetorical analysis of these movements also illustrates how convergence culture is a form of literacy sponsorship within these discourse communities.

PhD in English from Texas A&M University-Commerce (Summer 2016)

Keywords
convergence culture
critical pedagogy
literacy sponsor
media literacy


UNIVERSITY / ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  • “Occupy Literacy: Utilizing Occupy Wallstreet in the FYC to Illustrate Media Literacy Practices.” Conference on College Composition and Communication. Indianapolis, IN. 19-22 March 2014.
  • “Occupying Literacy: How Occupy Wall Street Can be Utilized in the FYC Classroom.” Watson Conference: Economies of Literacy. University of Louisville. Louisville, KY. 19-21 October 2012.
  • “Gender and Power Dynamics within Natsuki Takaya’s Fruit Baskets.” SW/TX PCA 2012 Conference. Popular Culture Association. Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference Center, Albuquerque, NM. 9 February 2012.
  • “Feminist Under Glass: Power and Agency within CLAMP’s Chobits.” PCA/ACA 2011 Conference. Popular Culture Association and the American Culture Association. Marriott Rivercenter hotel, San Antonio, TX. 22 April 2011.

SECONDARY CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  • No More Paper! Digital Interactive Notebooks.” Canton ISD Professional Development Summer 2021. Canton, TX. 4 June 2021.
  • “Getting Cozi with Kami: How to use Kami in the Classroom” Canton ISD Professional Development Summer 2021. Canton, TX. 3 June 2021.
  • “Digital Assessments in the Google Classroom.” Hunt County STEM Conference. Caddo Mills, TX. 3-4 August 2016.
  • “Digital Composition in the Distance Learning Classroom.” Hunt County STEM Conference. Caddo Mills, TX. 3-4 August 2016.
  • “Project Based Learning and Technology.” A presentation I gave on my campus during staff development at Campbell ISD. Campbell, TX. 3 January 2016.

PUBLICATIONS

The following manga (Japanese graphic narrative) and anime review in Salem Presses Critical Survey of Graphic Novels: Manga:

  • Cantrell, Rachel. “Cardcaptor Sakura.” Manga (Critical Survey of Graphic Novels). Eds. Bart  H. Beaty and Stephen Weiner. Ipswich, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 2012. 69-73. Print.
  • —. “Dragon Ball.” Manga (Critical Survey of Graphic Novels). Eds. Bart H. Beaty and 
Stephen Weiner. Ipswich, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 2012. 93-97. Print.
  • —. “InuYasha.” Manga (Critical Survey of Graphic Novels). Eds. Bart H. Beaty and Stephen 
Weiner. Ipswich, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 2012. 161-168. Print.
  • —. “Oh My Goddess!” Manga (Critical Survey of Graphic Novels). Eds. Bart H. Beaty and 
Stephen Weiner. Ipswich, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 2012. 233-237Print.
  • —. “Saint Seiya: Knight of the Zodiac.” Manga (Critical Survey of Graphic Novels). Eds. Bart H. Beaty and Stephen Weiner. Ipswich, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 2012. 279-283. Print.

EDITORIAL POSITIONS

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

  • Conference Chair, LEOCON 2014, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2014.
  • Conference Chair, English Graduates for Academic Development presents “Agora: Marketplace of Ideas,” Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2012.
  • Conference Keynote Speaker Liaison, LEOCON, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2013.
  • Creative Writing Contest Judge, The Annual Rowlett Writing Contest Presented by The 
 Rowlett Arts and Humanities Commission, 2013.
  • Interlibrary Loans, Library Assistant, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2010-11
    – Co-wrote and edited department procedures booklet. Trained and supervised student workers. Managed over dues for the department. Previously worked there for four years as a student assistant in the federal work study program.

RESEARCH INTEREST

  • Composition & Rhetoric
  • Media Studies (Media Literacy)
  • Critical Pedagogy

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honor Society) Texas A&M University-Commerce Chapter, 2012-2014
  • English Graduates for Academic Development (EGAD), President, 2011-2012
  • JUNTO, professional organization, 2010-2013
  • American Studies Association of Texas, 2010-2011
  • Popular Culture Association, 2011-2012
  • Rearview Mirror Society, Vice President, President, Secretary, 2005-2007

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