Kathy Whitham

Courses

• Summer 2025
• Fall 2025

Personal Statement

Summer Quarter 2025 Classes

ENGL232: Young Adult Literature (5 cr)

ENGL&102: Composition II (5 cr)

Learning Mode: Fully Online/Asynchronous (no zoom meetings)

Prerequisites: ENGL& 101 Completion, 2.0 or higher

Description: This ENGL& 102 section will examine how to combine words, images, and sources to draft scholarly, persuasive, and informational writing. Texts will include non-fiction graphic narratives, comics and other illustrated works. Students read, discuss, and write various types of short pieces (e.g., opinion/editorials, persuasive arguments, autoethnography essays, infographics, illustrated how-to articles, book reviews, and more). Practice research process and citation. The final research project is a visual narrative website on a personal identity topic of your choice. 

Required Texts: 

1. Text info to be posted in Canvas 
2. Some additional texts (readings, pdfs, videos, films, podcasts, etc.) will be provided for you in Canvas or via the Seattle Public Library website.
3. Please sign up for a free Seattle Public Library card/account if you don't already have one.  

Instructor Contact: For a syllabus or more course information, email instructor at Kathy.whitham@seattlecolleges.edu

FALL Quarter 2025 Classes

ENGL098: Integrated Reading & Writing - hybrid (10 cr)

Learning Mode: Hybrid (Meets in person Tues & Thur 10:45 - 12:45)

Prerequisites: ENGL098 eligibility, or higher placement

Description:  This course provides students with opportunities to further develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed to write in academic settings. Topics include reading and writing processes, critical thinking strategies, study skills, and grammar instruction. Upon completion, students should be able to apply these skills toward understanding a variety of academic and career-related texts and composing a college-level essay.

Required Texts: Texts provided in Canvas and in classroom

Instructor Contact: For a syllabus or more course information, email instructor at Kathy.whitham@seattlecolleges.edu

ENGL260: Asian American Literature - asynchronous online (5 cr) 

ENGL&236 Creative Writing - Explorations - hybrid (5 cr)

MY PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION

Words that reflect my approach to teaching:

• Encourage, acknowledge, support, and respect all students.
• Focus on creativity, risk-taking, critical thinking, self-efficacy, and demonstrated progress.
• Adhere to anti-racist pedagogy and equitable assessment practices.
• Emphasize learning; De-emphasize grades.

Education: Western WA University - BA English and MA English Literature

Seattle Colleges District teaching career: 

• PHL English faculty, Seattle Central College, 1995-2004
• FT tenured English faculty, South Seattle College, 2004-present

Courses: English 098; English 099/101; English 098/099/101; English 101; English 102; ENGL116: Graphic Novels; ENGL232: YA Literature; ENGL258: Literature of American Cultures; ENGL260: Asian American Literature; ENGL291: Literature by Women; ENGL240: British Writers; HUM110: American Film; HUM120: Asian Cinema, HUM130: World Cinema; HUM121: Issues in the Humanities; ENGL119/HUM119: Graphic Novels - Art, Identity & Storytelling; ENGL151: Creative Writing; ENGL152: Fiction Writing.

Integrated Studies Courses/Team Teaching experience:

1. The Power of Myth, Seattle Central College
2. Hair, Sex & Symbolism, Seattle Central College
3. Art Marketing: Graphic Arts, Printing, and Apparel Design, Seattle Central College
4. Building Bridges: Mockingbirds, Myths & Magic, South Seattle College

Teaching Workshops:

Facilitator of University of Washington East Asia Resource Center Workshops:

• January 2025: Multigenerational Migrations in All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong 
• May 2023: Mind, Body & Soul in Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto - an author interview 
• December 2022:  Teaching Peace with The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw - an author interview
• May 2022: *Almost* American: A Book Chat & Zine Making Workshop
• July 2021: Teaching Asian American Representation with Graphic Novels: Immigration, Cultural Identity, and Visual Storytelling as a Form of Activism

Online Courses Developed:

• HUM120: Intro to Asian Film
• HUM130: World Cinema
• ENGL116: Graphic Novels
• ENGL 232: Young Adult Literature
• ENGL119/HUM119 combined course: Graphic Novels - Art, Identity & Storytelling

Online Teaching Experience: 2005 - present

Teaching Recognition: NISOD Award recipient 2020

2024 - 25 Sabbatical Project: Co-author and illustrator of historical non-fiction graphic collection of stories about Japanese war brides, in collaboration with WA Post editor Kathryn Tolbert based on her research and interviews.

Art & Writing Residencies and Workshops 

• August 2025 recipient of Looking Glass Arts Writer's Residency in Upstate New York.
• June 2025 - Visual Storytelling & Poetry with Kelcey Ervick, Shakerag Workshops in Sewanee, TN  

SSC Roles/Committees/Qualifications: 

• SSC Writing Center Coordinator 2011-20
• English Dept. Faculty Coordinator 2012-14
• Canvas-certified, online instructor since 2005
• Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) committee, trained IDI Qualified Administrator (QA)
• 5 faculty search committees
• 1 dean search committee
• 7 tenure committees
• Curriculum & Instruction Committee (CIC)
• Diversity & Retention Committee
• College Council
• VOICES/AANAPISI Team (Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution)
• NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) member

Degrees & Certificates

B.A. English M.A. English Literature