Bob Nowlan, Ph.D.
Contact Information
Biography
I retired at the end of the Fall 2023 semester, after 26 and 1/2 years teaching and working at UW-Eau Claire and after 38 years teaching and working as a university-level faculty member (including previously in Syracuse, NY; New York City, NY; Cortland, NY; Ithaca, NY; New Haven, CT; and Tempe, AZ). I moved to live, full-time, permanently, in San Diego, California as of June 2024. I am finished writing Excessive Flashpoints, Solitary Demands, Darkest Corners: Ian Curtis, Joy Division, Critical Theory, and Me (a part personal memoir), which I plan to publish by the end of the year 2024. I am also continuing work on writing, editing, and preparing for publication 21st Century British TV Crime Drama: a Critical Guide (a multi-volume series). Each of the aforementioned books is inspired by five classes in five different semesters that I taught at UW-Eau Claire. I am the producer and dj host (every week running since July 2005) of Insurgence, which broadcasts Thursdays, 10 pm to midnight US Central Time, on WHYS Community Radio, 96.3 FM Eau Claire, and also simultaneously streams worldwide, via the web, at: www.whysradio.org On Insurgence I feature post-punk and indie music, especially from the British Isles, and progressive music of protest, struggle, and resistance. I also, since June 2024, am the producer and dj host of Left Edge Radio, which broadcasts Tuesdays 11 pm to midnight US Pacific Time, on KNSJ Social Justice Radio, 89.1 FM San Diego, and also simultaneously streams worldwide, via the web, at: https://music.knsj.org/ On Left Edge Radio I feature much the same music as I do on Insurgence. In San Diego, I walk a lot, long and far; do regular physical fitness training with a professional personal trainer multiple times each week; run and bike; I am active with First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego (Chalice Choir, Membership Committee, Social Justice Executive Team, Rainbow Action Group, Coping with Chronic Conditions Group, and more); I have volunteered with both the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties and Democratic Socialists of America San Diego; I am taking an acting class and I attend and support lots of theatre; I have signed up to volunteer as well with the San Diego LGBT Center and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of San Diego and Imperial Counties; I also attend many other local events, focusing on spectator sports, music and dance, art, participator sports and outdoor activity, politics and civic engagement; and I spend quality time with my husband and life-partner, Andy Swanson, senior lecturer emeritus with UW-Eau Claire, and our two dogs, both pugs, Aidan and Patrick. We love San Diego, a beautiful city in a great many respects (and that includes many features, but I will also simply note we love visiting coffee houses across the city and region), but we also love UW-Eau Claire and are deeply grateful for the wonderful lives we led while teaching and working at UW-Eau Claire and residing in Eau Claire. I am the sponsor of the Bob Nowlan Critical Studies Scholarship and Andy is the sponsor of the Andy Swanson Scholarship, and we are also sponsors of multiple other forthcoming student scholarships as well.
Education
- Ph. D., Syracuse University (English)
- M.A., Syracuse University (English)
- B.A., Wesleyan University (English)
Teaching and Research Interests
Critical theory
Critical studies in television and cinema
Critical studies in popular music and popular culture
Modern to contemporary literatures and cultures of the British Isles
Post-WWII British and American drama and theatre
Crime fiction
Sports, politics, and society
Gay and queer studies
Critical disability studies and critical studies in mental health and illness
Published Research
Excessive Flashpoints, Solitary Demands, Darkest Corners: Ian Curtis, Joy Division, Critical Theory, and Me. Forthcoming, December 2024.
21st Century British TV Crime Drama—A Critical Guide (Multiple Volumes). In Progress.
"Living Out: 40 Years." Featured speaker, Unitarian Unitarian Congregation of Eau Claire service on 'Living Out', October 3, 2023.
“’I Never Realized the Lengths I’d Have to Go, All the Darkest Corners of a Sense I Didn’t Know’: Ian Curtis, Joy Division, and Critical Theory—an Empathetic Embarkation,” September 12, 2018, Organization of Research and Sponsored Programs Faculty Forum, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
"Teaching and Writing About 'Ian Curtis and Joy Division: Critical Theoretical Perspectives'." University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire English Department Colloquium Presentation, April 28, 2017.
"The Wisconsin Idea: Past, Present, and Future/A Call for Action." Presentation. Teach-In: The Budget Crisis and the Future of UW-Eau Claire. Sponsored by United Faculty and Academic Staff of UW-Eau Claire. September 17, 2015, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
"Memorial Service: The Wisconsin Idea." Principal organizer and featured speaker. Service, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Eau Claire, August 23, 2015.
"Scottish Cinema in the 21st Century—Independence, Ideology, and Filmmaking Practices." Panel Co-Organizer, Co-Chair, and Respondent. University Film and Video Association annual conference, 2015 theme: "Media with Impact." American University, Washington, DC, August 7, 2015.
Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Intellect Publishing Company/University of Chicago Press, 2015. Co-edited with Zach Finch. A Contribution to Intellect's Directory of World Cinema Series.
The 1938 Films of Scotland Committee Empire Exhibition Series of Documentary Films: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 328-333. Directory of World Cinema Series.
The Angels' Share: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 118-124. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Bill Douglas: Director's Profile. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 46-54. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Editors' Introduction and Acknowledgments. With Zach Finch. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 5-10. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Everybody's Child: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 335-340. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Filmography. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 368-369. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Floodtide: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 147-151. Directory of World Cinema Series.
"From Social Realism to Social Art Cinema and Beyond." Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 180-198. Directory of World Cinema Series.
"Mythic Visions: Critique and Counter-Critique." Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 90-115. Directory of World Cinema Series.
New Town Killers: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 225-229. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Orphans: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 230-235. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Recommended Reading. With Zach Finch. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 346-353. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Scottish Cinema Online. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015. Directory of World Cinema Series, 354-358.
Shell: a Review Essay. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015, 242-247. Directory of World Cinema Series.
Test Your Knowledge Quiz. With Alex Long. Directory of World Cinema: Scotland, 360-362. Bristol: Intellect, June 2015. Directory of World Cinema Series.
"'Touching from a Distance, Further All the Time': Spiritual Reflections on the Life and Work of Ian Curtis and the Music of Joy Division." Principal organizer and featured speaker. Service, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Eau Claire, November 16, 2014.
"What is 'Suture'?." Breaking the Fourth Wall—Open File Project. Milton Keynes Gallery, May-June 2012.
"Queer Theory, Queer Cinema." Coming Out to the Mainstream: New Queer Cinema in the 21st Century. Joanne Juett and David Jones, Editors. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2010, 2-19.
"Queer Cinema and Urbania." Coming Out to the Mainstream: New Queer Cinema in the 21st Century. Joanne Juett and David Jones, Editors. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2010, 233-256.
Honors And Recognition
UW System (Universities of Wisconsin) Dr. P.B. Poorman Awards for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People, UW-Eau Claire 2023 Award Recipient
UWEC Twenty-Five Years' Service Recognition Award, May 2023
Cignet Trust Grants Providing Support for a Fully Externally Funded 100% Leave to Work on Writing Ian Curtis, Joy Division, and Critical Theory and 21st Century British TV Crime Drama: a Critical Guide, June 2020-August 2022
Services For Students with Disabilities Recognition Award for a Faculty Member Demonstrating Exceptional Commitment to Meeting the Diverse Needs of Students with Disabilities, 2019
Student Affairs Acknowledgment of Graduating Senior Recognition for Making a Difference During the Course of Students' Undergraduate Experience, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018
UWEC Twenty Years' Service Recognition Award, May 2017
Wisconsin Board of Regents, UWEC Provost and Vice-Chancellor's Office, and UWEC Office of University Research and Sponsored Programs, Full Academic Year Sabbatical, 2013-2014, to work on Directory of World Cinema: Scotland and Ian Curtis: the Myth and the Music–Critical Theoretical Perspectives
UWEC University Research, Scholarship, and Creative Study Grant, Spring 2013: Five Credits Time-Release from Teaching to Work on Directory of World Cinema: Scotland
UWEC Fifteen Years' Service Recognition Award, May 2012
UWEC University Research, Scholarship, and Creative Study Grant, Spring 2009: Five Credits Time-Release from Teaching to Work Principally on Scholarly Projects in Popular Music Studies
Student Support Services Certificate of Recognition for 'Making a Difference in Student Lives', Especially that of First-Generation College and Low-Income College Students, May 2007, and May 2008
UWEC Ten Years' Service Recognition Award, May 2007
Wisconsin Board of Regents, UWEC Provost and Vice-Chancellor's Office, and UWEC Office of University Research and Sponsored Programs, Full Academic Year Sabbatical, 2006-2007, to work on "Progressive Music of Resistance, Rebellion, and Revolt: a Critical Bibliography"
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Excellence in Service Award: For Activities Outside the Classroom that Promote Excellence in Education and Enhance the University's Public Image, 2003 Winner
Office of University Research and Sponsored Programs: Faculty Development Grant to Support Production of UWEC Irish Film Festival, Spring 2003
Network for Excellence in Teaching: Grants for Design and Implementation of New Courses: Critical Theories of Film, Summer-Fall 1998; Contemporary LesBiGay and Queer Film, Summer-Fall 1999; and Topics in Film, Video, and Moving-Image Culture, Fall 2002-Spring 2003
Michael Lynch Service Award: Modern Language Association of America Lesbian and Gay Caucus Award for Outstanding Achievement in Campus and Community Activism on the part of an Academic Worker in support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Dignity, Equality, and Freedom, 2002 Winner
Office of University Research: University Research and Creative Activity Grant, Five Credits Time Release, Fall 2000, for work on "Queer Theory: a Marxist Critique"