(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Rutgers University–New Brunswick faculty author Tisha Bender will read from her novel P.U.N.C.H. (Champlain Avenue Books, 2016) from 4:00pm to 5:30p.m. on June 22, 2016 at Alexander Library, 169 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ. Following the presentation, Bender will take questions and sign copies of the book. In addition, Rutgers’ Office of Summer & Winter Sessions will sponsor a drawing for 10 copies and additional books will also be available for purchase, courtesy of the Rutgers University Bookstore.

P.U.N.C.H. is a satirical take on online learning programs in academia, which are increasing in popularity. It centers on the rise and later demise of the complacent Maximillian Dreyfuss, head of a recently formed online university, who was pleased, amongst other things, with the name "P.U.N.C.H.” – an acronym for “Posting University Network Courses Here” – thought up by Letty from the Religious Studies Department, with whom he'd been enjoying a brief affair at that time. 

Bender is also the author of  two editions of Discussion-Based Online Teaching to Enhance Student Learning: Theory, Practice, and Assessment (Stylus 2003, 2012) and has trained instructors in online teaching at the SUNY Learning Network, NYU, Cornell, the New School, and in the Writing Program in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. She also teaches hybrid courses in the Rutgers Writing Program, and has taught online for the New School and Cornell.

AuthorTalks is a series of talks co-sponsored by Rutgers University Libraries and the Office of Summer & Winter Sessions. From great books come great ideas and this series intends to engage the Rutgers community during the summer and winter sessions in both. Featuring Rutgers faculty authors, these book readings and discussions are free and open to the public. For more information, visit libraries.rutgers.edu.

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