Tamar Christensen

Tamar earned her M.A. in US History in 2007 from CSU Long Beach where her research explored the cultural significance of the American Pin-Up as it reflected the changing ideals of morality and gender role constructions of mid-twentieth century America. The confluence of image analysis, gender studies, and social and cultural history in Tamar’s Master’s Thesis coupled with her own experiences as a first generation college graduate and US Navy veteran provide the foundation for Tamar’s pedagogical approach. She knows firsthand how difficult it can be for students to find their footing in college.  As a result, her passion lies in seeing students through those challenges by helping them find and add their voice to the academic conversation through thought-provoking and lively classroom discussions, individual student conferences, and a rigorous revision process. Since 2010, Tamar has taught English Composition 50, A, 2, 2i, 3, and 100W courses with Writing Programs at UCLA.  Additionally, she has taught composition courses for both the Academic Advancement Program’s Freshman Summer Program at UCLA and UCLA Extension.  She has delivered papers at several academic conferences in history, popular culture, rhetoric and composition.  Her recent composition textbook, Analytical Explorations of Content and Form: A Concise Guide, was coauthored with her colleague and husband, Randall Fallows.  Tamar and Randall are currently working on a collection of creative non-fiction essays that explore both the social and cultural pitfalls and wonder of the Christmas Holiday season with the working title, Christmas for the Non-Christian with a Foreword by Jesus Christ.