Dr. J. Coplen Rose

Position:  Assistant Professor

Research Interests: Postcolonial literature, South African film, literature, and drama, and humour studies.

Dr. J. Coplen Rose teaches New Zealand and Australian postcolonial literature and introductory English courses in critical reading and writing. He completed his Ph.D. in English and Film Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. His dissertation, titled “National Crises and Moments of Laughter in ‘Second Interregnum’ South African Drama, 2001-2014,” analyzed political criticism and humour in eight plays produced after Nelson Mandela’s retirement. A large portion of the project was completed through international fieldwork in South Africa during 2012 and 2013. This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. His other interests include African literature, geography and digital mapping, trauma studies, popular culture, and discourses around forgiveness and reconciliation. Coplen is also an active member of the Canadian Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies. In addition to his degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Coplen holds a Master of Arts from Lakehead University and a Bachelor of Arts from Bishop’s University.