Brett Holden , Ph.D.— Instructor of ENG 150: Introduction to Literature; ACS 250R/V: Cultural Pluralism in the United States; ENG 200:Literature of War; and ENG 200X:Literature and Film of War

Brett earned his B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and his Ph.D. in Modern British Literature from Bowling Green State University. He has taught courses involving literature, writing, film, and American culture. Brett is a member of the original team that designed the Chapman Community and he served for over two years as its Associate Director. His research interests involve the psychological effects of modern war upon combat veterans and how these are portrayed in veteran writings and in popular culture. He is also deeply committed to learning community design and operation and often serves as a consultant to colleges and universities who are building residential learning community programs on their campuses. Brett serves as the Associate Curator of BGSU’s Gish Film Theater and Gallery, and he serves on the Bowling Green Experience Faculty Advisory Committee, the Literature Committee in the Department of English, and the Peace Studies Committee.  When he's not in the classroom, in his office, in the film theater, or traveling in association with his job, you might see him paddling a canoe on a local river, leading a backpacking trip to such places as Hocking Hills State Park, or working with his scout troop on a service project.

Brett's wife, Karen, is a former college English instructor who serves as a writing specialist for the Health Sciences Residential Learning Community. His son, Steve, is an Eagle Scout currently enrolled as an Honors Student and a Leads Scholar at the University of Central Florida, where he’s studying computer visualization.  His daughter, Meara, is three-and-a-half years old and is the current joy of the Holden household.

ACS 250R/V (3): Cultural Pluralism in the United States- Brett Holden- Satisfies Cultural Diversity in the United States requirement.

This powerful general education course designed for first year students in Chapman examines the rich culture profile of the United States.  From the Irish to the Mexican, from the Italian to the Chinese, from the African to the Native American, America is a nation of immigrants.  Personal memories, diary entries, letters, and interviews of those who come to this country by their own choice, or powerful documentary films, and a family-based research project will contribute to making the course a memorable addition to students’ first semester Chapman experience.

ENG 200 (3): Literature of War-Brett Holden-Humanities/ Arts.             

Literature of War is a literary survey course that examines the mental and physical effects of combat upon veterans of World War I, World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  From the Somme to Guadalcanal, from the Ia Drang Valley to Baghdad, personal letters home, memories, friction, poetry, and diary entries capture and reflect the complex nature of the solider experience.  Charged weekly discussions; close examination of war propaganda and war films; visiting veterans; phone conversations with soldiers currently serving overseas; and a student –led veteran project help students come to better understand the impact of war upon those who fight it, as well as upon those care about and support those soldiers.  [ Enrollment in the Veteran Assessment Group for RESC 200 credit is highly encouraged for all Chapman Community students who take this course.]

Project: Veteran Assessment and Service Team (VAST)

Passionately committed to serving veterans and their families, the twenty members of Chapman’s Veteran Assessment and Service Team spend the academic year studying the soldier experience and taking part in events such as fund raisers, letter writing campaigns, a non- profit organization that adapts clothing for injured soldiers and children, as well as with the Bowling Green Family Readiness Group, support for the 148th Bravo Company, Bowling Green’s National Guard unit currently deployed to Iraq.

Those who enroll must commit for the entire academic year, as part of the time will be spent on education concerning veterans and their soldier experiences.  The rest of the time will be dedicated to hosting visitors for witnessing sessions, as well as more service types of events as noted above.

Veteran Assessment and Service Team members should be mature and prepared to engage in discussions of sensitive materials concerning the mental and physical effects of combat on veterans of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Chapman students who select this group should carefully consider taking Dr. Holden’s ENG 200: Literature of Wars course, as it will contribute greatly to their overall understanding of the soldier experience.

Students who have traditionally done best in the group have family members or friends serving in the military, or have a general interest in history and psychology.  They join out of a desire to know more about war and the soldier experiences, as well as out of a general need to “ do something” in support of those they love.

 Phase I:
Students begin the term by exploring the physical and psychological effects of combat upon veterans, talking to Vietnam, Gulf War, and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, and discussing the veterans' post-service plight in the United States.  Following this preparation, students then begin to explore local organizations focused upon serving veterans, do an assessment of the needs of these organizations, and work to narrow down one or two specific organization(s) with which they will work during the year.  Traditionally, the VAG group has designed adaptive clothing for soldiers recovering in field hospitals throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as military hospitals in Germany and throughout the US, in conjunction with the non-profit Sew Much Comfort.

Phase II:
During the spring semester, Brett will be offering two sections of Literature and Film of War, a course designed to examine the combat veteran perspective through literature and as it is commonly portrayed in film.  This course will allow students to learn more about the veteran experience and those enrolled in the class will continue to volunteer with the veteran organization(s) selected during the fall term.  Ultimately, all involved will be seeing clear connections between what they study and what's happening in the world beyond the classroom.

Students who join this group must be truly committed to exploring the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and serving our veteran population.  They must have a good work ethic, want to make a difference in the lives of others, and have the maturity level needed to explore this sensitive subject in great detail.