James Wells
Dr. James Wells came to Belmont in 2003 after earning his Ph.D. in English from Ohio University and teaching Shakespeare and literary theory for three years at Bowling Green State University. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from The University of the South and The University of South Carolina, respectively. At Belmont, he teaches courses in Shakespeare, Early Modern English Literature, British Literature, Drama, and Composition.
In the classroom, Dr. Wells is concerned to the point of obsession with students' literacy, with their ability to understand the often-forbidding language of Shakespeare's plays and how that language forms delightful patterns of wit. His research is focused on similar concerns and on the distinction between fiction and non-fiction, particularly on how Shakespeare uses such a troubled distinction as the opportunity for creating pleasure. Dr. Wells has published articles on Coriolanus and Macbeth and is writing a book aimed at teaching general audiences how to read Shakespeare and understand the wit of his plays.
To his delight, Dr. Wells' toddler daughter monopolizes his spare time, which, otherwise, would be spent reading, gardening, cooking, and doing the repairs needed to keep their 1928 cottage from collapsing on their heads.
email: James Wells james.wells@belmont.edu
phone: 615.460.6239
office: WHB 200 I
