Faculty Profile

Robert Upchurch

Title
Professor
Department
English
College
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

    

    

      


                          

            
Curriculum Vitae

            

              Click Here to View Faculty CV
            

          

        
                          

            
Education

            



  

  


  
PhD, City University of New York, 2001. 
Major: English
MA, Wake Forest University, 1994. 
Major: English
Dissertation Title: Inscribing Vision: Poetic Potency and Performance in Selected Lais of Marie de France
BA, College of William and Mary, 1989. 
Major: English





          

        
                

          
Current Scheduled Teaching*


          
ENGL 5760.001, Scholarly and Critical Writing, Spring 2024 
ENGL 4431.001, Studies in Medieval Lit, Spring 2024 Syllabus


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  


    

    

      


        


          


            
Previous Scheduled Teaching*


            
                    

                    ENGL 1310.601, First Year Writing I, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 3370.001, The Bible as Literature, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 1320.601, First Year Writing II, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 3430.001, British Literature to 1780, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 3910.001, Special Studies in Literature, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 1320.601, First Year Writing II, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4431.001, Studies in Medieval Lit, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4431.301, Studies in Medieval Lit, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 3430.002, British Literature to 1780, Fall 2021  SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 1320.301, College Writing II, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2021 
                    

                    ENGL 1321.001, Honors Composition II, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 1310.018, College Writing I, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 1310.601, College Writing I, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2020 
                    

                    ENGL 1311.002, Honors Composition I, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 1310.601, College Writing I, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 3430.001, British Literature to 1780, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 5760.001, Scholarly and Critical Writing, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 5760.601, Scholarly and Critical Writing, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 2400.002, Literature, Media, and Popular Culture, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 4910.742, Special Problems, Spring 2017 
                    

                    ENGL 3911.001, Topics in British Literature, Fall 2015  SPOT
                    

                    ENGL 3430.003, British Literature to 1780, Spring 2015 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 4431.001, Studies in Medieval Lit, Spring 2015 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 3430.003, British Literature to 1780, Fall 2014 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Fall 2014 
                    

                    ENGL 3911.001, Topics in British Literature, Fall 2014 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 3430.002, British Literature to 1780, Spring 2014 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Spring 2014 
                    

                    ENGL 4431.001, Studies in Medieval Lit, Spring 2014 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 2500.004, Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation Skills, Fall 2013 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 2500.006, Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation Skills, Fall 2013 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 5000.001, Old English, Spring 2013 
                    

                    ENGL 5000.791, Old English, Spring 2013 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Spring 2013 
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Spring 2013 
                    

                    ENGL 4431.001, Studies in Medieval Lit, Spring 2013 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 5750.001, Bibliography and Historical Method, Fall 2012 
                    

                    ENGL 6941.742, Directed Research, Fall 2012 
                    

                    ENGL 4431.001, Studies in Medieval Lit, Fall 2012 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Summer 5W2 2012 
                    

                    ENGL 3430.001, British Literature to 1780, Spring 2012 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2012 
                    

                    ENGL 5030.001, Studies in Medieval Literature and Culture, Spring 2012 
                    

                    ENGL 5750.001, Bibliography and Historical Method, Fall 2011 
                    

                    ENGL 3430.003, British Literature to 1780, Fall 2011 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2011 
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Fall 2011 
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2011 
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Spring 2011 
                    

                    ENGL 5750.001, Bibliography and Methods of Research in Literature, Fall 2010 
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Fall 2010 Syllabus
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2010 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Fall 2010 
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Fall 2010 
                    

                    ENGL 5000.001, Old English, Spring 2010 
                    

                    ENGL 3430.001, Studies in British Literature to 1780, Spring 2010 
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Fall 2009 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Summer 5W1 2009 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Summer 5W2 2009 
                    

                    ENGL 4910.742, Special Problems, Summer 5W1 2009 
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Fall 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 5030.001, Studies in Medieval Literature, Fall 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 5950.742, Master's Thesis, Summer 5W2 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 5900.742, Special Problems, Summer 5W2 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 5950.742, Master's Thesis, Spring 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 5000.001, Old English, Spring 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Spring 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 3430.002, Studies in British Literature to 1780, Spring 2008 
                    

                    ENGL 6944.742, Directed Research, Fall 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 6020.001, Seminar in Old and Middle English Language or Literature, Fall 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 6941.742, Directed Research, Spring 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 5950.742, Master's Thesis, Spring 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 3450.002, Short Story, Spring 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 3430.002, Studies in British Literature to 1780, Spring 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 5030.001, Studies in Medieval Literature, Spring 2007 
                    

                    ENGL 6941.742, Directed Research, Fall 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 5950.742, Master's Thesis, Fall 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 5000.001, Old English, Fall 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 3430.001, Studies in British Literature to 1780, Fall 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Spring 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 6941.742, Directed Research, Spring 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 3000.002, Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation Skills, Spring 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 3000.003, Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation Skills, Spring 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 6020.001, Seminar in Old and Middle English Language or Literature, Spring 2006 
                    

                    ENGL 6950.742, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2005 
                    

                    ENGL 4410.001, Chaucer, Spring 2005 
                    

                    ENGL 3000.002, Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation Skills, Spring 2005 
                    

                    ENGL 5950.742, Master's Thesis, Spring 2005 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Spring 2005 
                    

                    ENGL 5030.002, Studies in Medieval Literature, Spring 2005 
                    

                    ENGL 4410.002, Chaucer, Fall 2004 
                    

                    ENGL 5950.742, Master's Thesis, Fall 2004 
                    

                    ENGL 5000.001, Old English, Fall 2004 
                    

                    ENGL 4900.742, Special Problems, Fall 2004 
                    

                    ENGL 5800.002, Studies in Literary Genres, Fall 2004 

          


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  

  
  	

	

	  

		

		   
Published Publications



  

  
Published Intellectual Contributions


  
Book
Upchurch, R. K., Kleist, A. J. (2022). Ælfrician Homilies and Varia: Editions, Translations and Commentary, 2 vols.. D. S. Brewer. 
Kleist, A. J., Upchurch, R. K. (2016). The Digital Aelfric.  Martlesham, Eng. and Rochester, NY: Boydell and Brewer. http://www.sd-editions.com/
Upchurch, R. K. (2007). Ælfric's Lives of the Virgin Spouses with Modern English Parallel-text Translations. University of Exeter Press. 
Whatley, E. G., Thompson, A., Upchurch, R. K. (2005). Saints' Legends from Middle English Collections (I was responsible for the texts and main drafts of the introductions for Chapters II (St. George), pp. 71-101, and V(a) (St. Benedict), pp. 169-96.). The Medieval Institute. 
Book Chapter
Upchurch, R. K. (2021). "The Resonances and Roles of Vercelli Homily X in Multiple Manuscripts". In Old English Anonymous Homilies. Medieval and Renaissance Texts Series.  Leiden: Brill. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2012). Shepherding the Shepherds in the Way of Pastoral Care: Ælfric and Cambridge University Library, MS Gg.3.28. Saints and Scholars: New Perspectives on Anglo-Saxon Literature and Culture in Honor of Hugh Magennis, ed. S. McWilliams. 54-74.  Cambridge: Brewer. 
Upchurch, R. K., Magennis, H., Swan, M.  (2009). "Catechetic Homiletics: Ælfric's Teaching and Preaching During Lent,". A Companion to Ælfric. 217-46. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2007). "Homiletic Contexts for Ælfric's Hagiography: The Legend of Saints Cecilia and Valerian,". The Old English Homily: Precedent, Practice, and Appropriation, ed. Aaron J. Kleist. 265-84. Brepols. 
Book Review
Upchurch, R. K. (2020). Review of Gerald P. Dyson’s Priests and their Books in Late Anglo-Saxon England, Anglo-Saxon  Studies 34 (Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 2019). Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 119, 539-541. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2019). Review of Rhonda L. McDaniel’s The Third Gender and Ælfric’s Lives of   			   Saints (Kalamazoo, MI: Medieval Institute Publications, 2019). Speculum. 94, 1195-96. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2015). Review of The Old English Martyrology, ed. and trans. Christine Rauer. Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 114(3), . https://muse.jhu.edu/article/587484
Upchurch, R. K. (2012). Review of Sunday Observance and the Sunday Letter in Anglo-Saxon England, ed. and trans. Dorothy Haines (Woodbridge, Eng.: Boydell and Brewer, 2010) in Medieval Sermon Studies. Other. 56, 64-65. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2008). Review of Ælfric and the Cult of the Saints in Anglo-Saxon England" by Mechthild Gretsch. Cambridge Studies in Anglo-Saxon England 34 (Cambridge: Cambridge UP). Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 107, 121-23. Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2005). Review of Three Alliterative Saints' Hymns: Late Middle English Stanzaic Poems, ed. Ruth Kennedy. Early English Text Society OS 321 (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003). Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 104, 564-66. Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 
Encyclopedia Article
Upchurch, R. K. (2000). "Solomon and Saturn" and "The Wonders of the East". Trade, Travel, and Exploration in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia, eds. J. B. Friedman and K. M. Figg.  New York: Garland. 
Journal Article
Upchurch, R. K. (2022). “An Anglo-Saxon bishop, his book and two battles: Leofric of Exeter and liturgical performance as pastoral care”. Anglo-Saxon England. 48, 209-270.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2016). “A Call to Alms: Ælfric’s Condemnation of Hoarding in Catholic Homily II.7”. Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 115(4), 413-441. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/633667
Upchurch, R. K. (2010). "A Big Dog Barks: Ælfric of Eynsham's Indictment of the English Pastorate and Witan,". Speculum. 85, 505-33. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2005). "Married Virgins as Model Christians: Ælfric's Legend of Julian and Basilissa.". Anglo-Saxon England. 34, 197-217. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2004). "For Pastoral Care and Political Gain: Ælfric of Eynsham's Preaching on Marital Celibacy.". Traditio. 59, 39-78. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2004). "The Legend of Chrysanthus and Daria in Ælfric's Lives of Saints .". Studies in Philology. 101, 250-69. 
Upchurch, R. K. (2003). "The 'Good Fyn' of Saint Alexius in a Middle English Version of his Legend.". Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 102, 1-20. 



	
		
		
	  

	

	

  
    
	

	

	  

		

		   
Awarded Grants



  
  
  	  
          
Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research  

 	 
	 	 
  
Fellowship   
Kleist, A. J. (Principal), Upchurch, R. K. (Supporting), "The Digital AElfric," Sponsored by National Endowment for the Humanities, Federal,  Funded. (2006 – 2010).
Grant - Research   
Upchurch, R. K. (Principal), "Lost in Translation: The Recovery of Three Old English Sermons," University of North Texas,  Funded. (2011 – 2012).
Upchurch, R. K. (Principal), "Imitation and Innovation: Continental Contexts for Ælfric's Pastoral Care," Sponsored by UNT, University of North Texas,  Funded. (2009 – 2010).
Abel, M. S. (Co-Principal), Upchurch, R. K. (Co-Principal), Fuhrmann, C. (Co-Principal), Brand, B. (Co-Principal), "Library Primary Source Material," Sponsored by University of North Texas Infrastructure Grant, University of North Texas, $25000 Funded. (2008 – 2008).



	
		
		
	  

	

	

	
	

  
  
  

  	

		

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					Overall
Summative Rating		
					Challenge and
Engagement Index		
					Response Rate
					
				

			
			
				

					
					
out of 5		
					
out of 7		
					%
 of 
students responded		
					
					
				

			
		


		
    
			
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    
			This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
				
      
					
    • The course as a whole was
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    • The course content was
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    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
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    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
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  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    
			This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
				
      
					
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
      • 
					
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
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    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
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    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
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    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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