Gabrielle Chen-Dickens
-
Ross-Blakley Hall 101AB PO Box 871401 TEMPE, AZ 85287-1401
-
Mail code: 1401Campus: Tempe
-
Gabrielle Chen-Dickens earned her PhD in English Literature from Arizona State University, with a concentration in Milton Studies and theology. Her dissertation is titled, "The Divine Darkness: Apophatic Theology, Theodicy, and the Unknown God in Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, and Samson Agonistes."
Graduating summa cum laude, Chen-Dickens earned her BA in English Literature, along with minors in History and Religious Studies, also from Arizona State University. In addition, she completed an undergraduate certificate in Medieval/Renaissance studies from the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (ACMRS).
Her area of specialization is the study of Medieval through Early Modern literature, culture, and history of both England and the European Continent, with a focus upon the works of John Milton and his theology.
Chen-Dickens has taught a wide range of First-Year Composition for both resident/L1 and international/L2 students (ENG 101, ENG 102, ENG 107, and ENG 108).
Noteworthy Honors, Awards, Scholarships, and Service
- 2025-present: Faculty Associate in the ASU Department of English and Writing Programs
- 2024: Grading Team for ASU Learning Enterprise, English division
- 2013-2018: Graduate Teaching Associate for the ASU Department of English and Writing Programs
- Spring 2018: “L2 Writing Teacher Feature” (L2/Second Language teacher of the month for April 2018)
- 2014: Publication of my ENG 101 Writing Project assignment sequence project descriptions (WP1, WP2, & WP3) in Joining the Conversation at Arizona State University: A Guide and Handbook for Writers, edited by Mike Palmquist and Barbara Wallraff, 2nd edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s
- 2013-2014: ASU Graduate College University Graduate Fellowship
- Spring 2013: ASU Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Award in the Humanities for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
- Spring 2013: ASU Dean’s Medalist: Department of English, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
- Spring 2013-present: Inductee and Member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
- May 2013: Dean’s Medalist Banner Carrier for the Department of English: ASU CLAS Maroon Convocation Ceremony
- Spring 2013: Dean’s List: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
- 2009-2013: ASU President’s Scholarship Recipient: Undergraduate Institutional Merit Scholarship
- 2009-2013: ASU Barack Obama Scholar
- Fall 2012: Dean’s List: CLAS
- Spring 2012: Dean’s List: CLAS
- Fall 2011: Dean’s List: CLAS
- April 2011: Excellence in First-Year Latin Award: School of International Languages and Cultures (SILC)
- Spring 2011: Dean’s List: CLAS
- Fall 2010: Dean’s List: CLAS
- Spring 2010: Dean’s List: Mary Lou Fulton College of Education
- Fall 2009: Dean’s List: Mary Lou Fulton College of Education
- May 2009: U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award (awarded by the Executive Office of the President of the United States of America and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation)
- 2008-2009: Arizona Republic Scholastic Journalist Award: Outstanding Yearbook Student of the Year/“Most Valuable Staffer” (staffer and editor for the McClintock High School Historian Yearbook)
- 2009: College Board AP (Advanced Placement) Scholar with Distinction
- 2009: Arizona Department of Education Superintendent’s recognition as a Super Scholar for exceeding in all three AIMS tests
- 2008-2009: Top 5% of Class of 2009 (McClintock High School)
- May 2008: City of Tempe Top Teen Award
- 2007-2010: Bishop's Committee Member at Tempe St. Augustine's Episcopal Parish
- 2007-2008: All-American Scholar Award (United States Achievement Academy)
- 2006-2010: Volunteer for the City of Tempe
- 2006-2009: Tempe History Museum Youth Advisory Committee (THMYAC) --- Representative for McClintock High School
- 17th century Interregnum English literature
- 17th century Metaphysical poetry in English literature
- Medieval through Early Modern European history
- Study of the life and works of John Milton
- The history of the relationship between science and religion and contemporary debates
- Platonic Metaphysics and the "New Physics"
- The poetry of Henry Vaughan and Thomas Traherne
- English prison literature of John Bunyan, Henry Howard (the Earl of Surrey), Sir Thomas More, and Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder
- The history, syntax, and grammar of the English language
- Early Modern and medieval representations of the soul and selfhood
- Psychoanalytic criticism
- Life and legacy of Joan of Arc
- Medieval possession narratives and anti-heresy campaigns
- The life of St. Francis of Assisi, late medieval social reforms, and the usury debate
- Jewish midrashim (rabbinic commentaries of the 3rd-6th century CE)
- Medieval conflicts between mystical kabbalah and Moses Maimonides’ rationalist philosophy
- The biblical and extra-biblical role of the prophet Elijah in Judaism and Jewish eschatology
- Jewish traditions about Ezekiel’s Chariot vision (merkabah)
Courses
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ENG 108 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 108 | First-Year Composition |
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ENG 101 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 101 | First-Year Composition |
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ENG 108 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 108 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 107 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 107 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 107 | First-Year Composition |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ENG 102 | First-Year Composition |
| ENG 102 | First-Year Composition |