David Isaacs, M.A.

Graduate work in Cultural Studies at Claremont Graduate School
Graduate work in Rhetoric and Composition from CSUSB
Certificate for the Advanced Bioethics Institute, from the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, 1999

Composition
Children's Literature
Young Adult Literature
American Literature Survey
World Literature Survey
Special Topics
Intro to Literature
Science Fiction
Classics
Classic Christian Literature

Apologetics and Bioethics
Composition
Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction
Christianity and the Arts
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Classics; World Literature
Film

English Lecturer (Adjunct), College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA. 1994-1997.

English Lecturer (Adjunct), Crafton Hills College, Yucaipa, CA. 1994-1995.

English Lecturer (Adjunct), Mt. San Antonio Community College, Walnut, CA. 1994-1995.

Teacher (Full time), Summer Sessions, Institute of Reading Development. 1994, 1995.

Lecturer (Adjunct) in Natural Sciences, California State University, San Bernardino. 1994

English Teaching Assistant (Adjunct), California State University, San Bernardino. 1991-1992.

Writing Tutor, Writing Center, California State University, San Bernardino. 1998-1994

Linguistics Tutor, Learning Center, California State University, San Bernardino. 1988-1990.

CONFERENCE PAPERS and PRESENTATIONS
“Pullman’s Problematic Paradise: Dissolving in Death as a Way to Glory.” Mythopoeic Society 2023 Online Midsummer Seminar: Fantasy Goes to Hell: Depictions of Hell in Modern Fantasy Texts. Online. Aug. 5-6.

“Getting Graphic: Jesus as Superhero in Graphic Novels.” Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Azusa Pacific University. Azusa, CA. March 16-18.

“Pixel Perfect: Heroes in Graphic Novel Bibles.” Images of the Hero: Heroism in Literature. East/Southeast Regional Conference of the Conference on Christianity and Literature. Patrick Henry College. Purcellville, VA. June 10, 2022.

“Getting Graphic: Exploring Adaptations into Graphic Novels.” 25th Annual Charlotte Huck Children’s Literature Festival. Redlands, CA. March 11, 2022.

“Dialoging Death in L’Engle’s A Ring of Endless Light.” Arts & Letters Symposium, CBU, Riverside, CA. March 20, 2021.

“Wandering Women: Variations on the Quest Motif in Young Adult Fantasy.” Annual International Conference of the Children’s Literature Association. Tampa, FL. 24 June 2017.

“Crossing Borders in Alex Rivera’s Sleep Dealer.” Approaching Posthumanism and the Posthuman Conference. Geneva, Switzerland. 5 June 2015.

“In Plain Sight: The Hiddenness of God in Terrence Malick’s The Days of Heaven.” Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Seattle, WA. 22 May 2015.

“Be Some Other Name: Naming and Supernatural Intervention in Gene Lien Yang’s American Born Chinese and Saints.” Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Assoc. Conference. Riverside, CA. 1 Nov. 2014.

“Will Smith and the White Imaginary in Independence Day.” Film and Media 2014 Conference. London, UK. 28 June 2014.

“Pullman’s Problematic Paradise: Dissolving in Death as a Way to Glory.” Southeastern Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Palm Beach Atlantic University. Palm Beach, FL. April 5, 2014.

“Profitable Inventions”: Dystopian Visions, the Zombie Apocalypse, and the Good Life. Imagining the Good Life: Apologetics and Human Flourishing Conference. Riverside, CA. 5 April 2013.

“In the Name of Love: U2’s Rocking with the Saints as an Active Apologetic.” Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Azusa, CA. 17 May 2013.

“Brothers of the Future: Minority Male Cyborgs and the White Imaginary in Film.” 7th Global Conference on Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberspace and Science Fiction. Mansfield College. Oxford, UK. 15 July 2012.

“Independence [for Whites] Day: Will Smith and the White Imaginary in Science Fiction Cinema.” Subverting the Margin: Transgressing Boundaries, Displacing Grand Narratives, and Investing in Society Conference. Claremont Graduate University Department of Cultural Studies Student Conference. Claremont, CA. 9 April 2010.

“Playing with Our Minds: Game Imagery in Hitchcock.” National Pop Culture/American Culture Assoc. Conference. St. Louis, MO. 1 April 2010.

“I, Robot, You Jane: The Cyborg as Cultural Conservationist.” Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Riverside, CA. 26 March 2010.

“Cinematic Cyborgs: Creating Chaos or Conserving Culture?” (dis)junctions Conference: Brave New Worlds. University of California. Riverside, CA. 4 April 2009.

“'There Be Whales Here': Sacred Spaces in Niki Caro’s Whale Rider." Oceanic Popular Culture Association Conference. Chaminade University of Honolulu. Honolulu, Hawaii. 24 May 2008.

“Pullman’s Impractical Paradoxes.” Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Biola University. La Mirada, CA. 17 May 2008.

“The Sound of Evil: Confronting Nazism in Two Movie Musicals.” The 8th Global Conference: Perspectives on Evil and Human Wickedness. Salzburg, Austria. 22 March 2007.

“Horton Hears a Who and the Personhood Debate.” Oh, The Places You’ll Go! A Seussical Celebration. California Baptist University, Riverside, CA. 3 March 2007.

“A Modest Proposal: Kill the Babies and Make Them Cry.” Mere Fantasy Meets Mere Christianity Panel. Lumos 2006: An International Harry Potter Symposium. Las Vegas, NV. 29 July 2006.

“Acting as Ambassadors: Building Walls or Building Bridges?” Through the Wardrobe: Fantasy Literature, Children, and Truth Conference. California Baptist University, Riverside, CA. 11 March 2006.

“Baptizing the Imagination: A Poster Session.” Through the Wardrobe: Fantasy Literature, Children, and Truth Conference. California Baptist University, Riverside, CA. 11 March 2006.

“Creation, Fall, and Redemption: A Christian Approach to the Arts.” Through the Wardrobe: Fantasy Literature, Children, and Truth Conference. California Baptist University, Riverside, CA. 11 Feb. 2006

“Past Watchful Dragons: Recommended Readings for Fans of Fantasy, a Poster Session.” Through the Wardrobe: Fantasy Literature, Children, and Truth Conference. California Baptist University, Riverside, CA. 11 Feb. 2006.

“A Return to the King.” The Ring of Truth: Intersecting Faith and Fantasy in Tolkien Panel. Tolkien 2005. Birmingham, UK. August 2005.

“The Woman Wanderer: Variations on the Quest Motif in Tuck Everlasting.” National Pop Culture Assoc. of America/American Pop Culture Assoc. Conference. San Diego, CA. March 2005.

“Merlin as Trickster: Order from Chaos in T. H. White’s The Once and Future King and C. S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength.” (Re)Creating Arthur: An Interdisciplinary International Conference. Winchester, UK. August 2004.

“Dialogues on Death in L’Engle’s A Ring of Endless Light.” The Conference on Christianity and Literature. Point Loma, CA. March 2004.

Guest Lecturer on Bioethics. Pathways Church in Riverside, CA. September 2001.

Workshop Leader, Association for California College Tutorial and Learning Assistance, CSUSB. February 1994.


CONFERENCE PANELS (Chair, Moderator, or Panelist):

Moderator, “Literature: Their Words and Their Powers” Panel. International Sigma Tau Delta Conference. Denver, CO. 1 April 2023.

Moderator, “Enchanting Nature” Panel. Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Azusa Pacific University. Azusa, CA. 18 March 2023.

Panelist, “Faith and Literature.” Modern Languages and Literature Faculty Forums. 28 March 2019.

Moderator, “One Panel to Bind Them All: Journeys with Tolkien” Panel. Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Riverside, CA. 13 May 2016.

Co-Moderator of Faith and Film panel at the Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Seattle Pacific Univ. Seattle, WA. 22 May 2015.

Moderator, “Transformational Reading: Science Fiction and Fantasy” Panel. Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Azusa, CA. 17 May 2013.

Moderator, “The Imago Dei, Family, and Ideology in Science Fiction” Panel. Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Riverside, CA. 26 March 2010.

Moderator, “Of Farm and Family in American Literature” Panel. Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Riverside, CA. 26 March 2010.

Panelist, “Presentations and Publications.” Fall Faculty Retreat. California Baptist University. Riverside, CA. 21 August 2008.

Moderator, “Cinematic and Literary Visions: The Self on the Margins” Panel. Oxbridge 2008: The Self & the Search for Meaning. C.S. Lewis Foundation. Oxford, UK. 31 July 2008.

Moderator, “Mere Fantasy Meets Mere Christianity” Panel. Lumos 2006: An International Harry Potter Symposium. Las Vegas, NV. 29 July 2006.

Moderator, “The Woman Wanderer: Variations on the Quest Motif in Tuck Everlasting.” National Pop Culture Assoc. of America/American Pop Culture Assoc. Conference. San Diego, CA. March 2005.

Moderator, “Arthur, Faith and Allegory Panel.” (Re)Creating Arthur: An Interdisciplinary International Conference. Winchester, UK. August 2004.

Panelist and Chair, “Harry Potter: Can Any Wisdom Come from Wizardry?” Nimbus 2003 Harry Potter Symposium. Orlando, FL. July 2003.

Panelist and Chair, “A Christian Response to Harry Potter.” The Conference on Christianity and Literature. Seattle University, Seattle, WA. April 2003.

Panelist, Pacific Coast Writing Center Conference, Pepperdine University. October 1992.

Discussion Leader, Friday Forum, CSUSB. February 1992.

Panelist, Young Rhetorician’s Conference, Monterey, CA. June 1991.

Respondent, Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), Chicago. March 1990.


PUBLICATIONS (Articles):

Isaacs, David E. “Will Smith and the White Imaginary in Science Fiction Cinema.” The London Film and Media Reader 4: Visions of Identity - Global Film & Media. Ed. Phillip Drummond. London: The London Symposium and Academic Conferences Ltd., 2016.

Isaacs, David E. “Brothers of the Future: Minority Male Cyborgs and the White Imaginary in Modern Science Fiction Films.” Navigating Cybercultures. Nicholas Van Orden, ed. Oxford, UK: Inter-Disciplinary Press, 2013.135-144.

Isaacs, David E. “Begging to Differ: Examining Faulty Logic in Moroni 10:4.” Midwest Christian Outreach Journal 18.1 (Spring 2012): 14-16.

Isaacs, David E. “We Have No Troubles Here: Considering Nazi Motifs in The Sound of Music and Cabaret.” Promoting and Producing Evil. Ed. Nancy Billias. New York: Rodopi, 2010.

Isaacs, David E. “The Sound of Evil: Confronting Nazism in Two Movie Musicals.” Constructing Evil. Laura Torres Zuñiga and Isabel Mª Andrés Cuevas, eds. 2008.


PUBLICATIONS (Poetry):
Isaacs, David E. “On Re-Reading Lewis’s Cosmic Trilogy.” The Lamp-Post of the Southern California C. S. Lewis Society, vol. 40, no. 2, Fall/Winter 2022.

Isaacs, David. “Her Last Christmas.” The Dazed Starling: Unbound Advent. 2022.

Isaacs, David. “Shekinah.” The Dazed Starling: Unbound Advent. 2022.

Isaacs, David E. “Desert Swimming Pool.” pacific Review: A West Coast Arts Review Annual. 2006-2007.

Isaacs, David E. “The Wasa Confesses.” pacific Review. 2006-2007.

Northpoint Church, Corona, CA

Board Member, The Southern California C. S. Lewis Society
Member, The Inland Empire Chapter of the Southern California C. S. Lewis Society
Member of the Riverside Historical Society
Member, Conference on Christianity and Literature

Reading, watching old movies, travel

". . . let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven." Matt. 5.16