Author Archives: Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda

From its directorship by Dr. Aaron Alon, its powerful story line and unforgettable thirteen original numbers written and composed by Alon, its cinematography, its sound, and its talented cast of performers and singers, Thunderclap Production’s latest release, Bully (2017), is a highly-original masterpiece about bullying, depression, gender, queerness, and suicide. In the space of 58 minutes, this musical pushes viewersContinue reading “Review of Aaron Alon’s BULLY (2017)”

Revised and Expanded July 2022 All forms of life communicate in never-ending give and take processes. Homo sapiens and their ancient ancestors have always communicated with one another and with other forms of life. Current-day humans communicate through any number of compositions, including poetry, biography, wills, musical scores, text messages, and much more. When guidedContinue reading “The “Big Idea” English Studies Syllabus”

A powerful lesson happens when we have understandings of the past informed by evidence: the realization that most things considered “traditional” or as having lasted forever are actually new developments–often in the past century, sometimes in the past decade or two. Of course, this doesn’t detract from the power associated with the mores and ritualsContinue reading “A few thoughts about Christmas songs, the related theologies, and traditions.”

Living almost in a state of complete unconscious – basically unaware of surroundings and having a memory of about one second and basically dependent on others for everything Finding everyone and everything irritating and frustrating Being just well enough that the pain really begins Trying to think or remember something and being completely unable Worrying about everything andContinue reading “7 Stages of Having and Recovering from Surgery”

Something that has been on my mind: I have had six surgeries now: Brain surgery in January 1991, heart/lung/chest surgery in August 2000, pelvis surgery in March 2009, first hand surgery in May 2015, second and third hand surgery in May and December 2017. The first three were major surgeries that required several months toContinue reading “Major Surgeries and “Major” Surgeries”

On Monday, I’ll be having surgery #6 at M.D. Anderson. This is the second surgery this year! Luckily, it’s a small one again–this time to remove two tumors on my left hand. Recovery should be pretty quick, overall, but I’ll be unable to use my left hand for about two months, all-in-all. During the preopContinue reading “Preparing for Surgery (again) and Toxic Masculinity in the Waiting Room”

I read James Emery White’s The Rise of the Nones: Understanding and Reaching the Religiously Unaffiliated (2014) this morning in preparation for a new specific topics course I am teaching this spring–Atheists, Other “Heathens,” and 20th C. United States. White writes from the perspective of a long time pastor and a follower of Protestant Christian theology and forContinue reading “Book Review–“The Rise of the Nones: Understanding and Reaching the Religiously Unaffiliated””

On Sunday, November 5, 2017, I had an idea. I immediately emailed all of my students during the middle of the afternoon. The email announced an extra credit opportunity that would only be available until 11:59 pm. I gave students a few blog articles to read and requested that they leave a meaningful comment onContinue reading ““TODAY ONLY” Extra Credit Opportunity – A Surprising Teaching Experiment”