A woman with brown hair wearing a colorful button-up shirt stadning in front of a bookshelf

Allison Tharp

Assistant Professor

Harris Hall 5143

Office hours: By appointment

Alternative Grading

Rhetoric

Protest Movements

About

Alli Tharp joined the Department of Focused Inquiry in the fall of 2019 where she teaches UNIV 111, UNIV 112, and various English courses (like True Crime!). Prior to VCU, Alli received her Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Southern Mississippi and then served as a postdoctoral researcher in writing pedagogy at the University of Delaware. At both institutions, she taught courses in composition, literature, and theory and on subjects as diverse as rhetoric, cultural theory, American thrillers, and the history of cults. In the classroom, Alli focuses on curiosity, play, and attention, and she uses alternative grading strategies to create a more equitable and communal learning environment; outside of the classroom, catch her hanging out with her dog Hank, hiking, and trying to find the best burger in town.

Education

  • Ph.D.- English, University of Southern Mississippi

Courses

  • UNIV 111
  • UNIV 112
  • UNIV 222
  • UNIV 299
  • ENGL 215
  • ENGL 313

Awards

  • Excellence in Teaching for Early Career Faculty, Department of Focused Inquiry, 2019-2020