Dr. Timothy Hendrickson
Associate Professor of English; Coordinator of Adjunct Care, Department Chair
Education
PhD, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 2013
MA, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 2008
BA, Governor’s State University, University Park, Illinois, 2005
BA, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois, 1996
Associated Academic Programs
Literature and Languages“As is the case with all of the humanities, studying literature brings both brokenness and redemption into sharp relief. However, literature has a unique ability to inspire both sympathy and empathy for others in its readers. As a result of those feelings, we who read find ourselves acting in ways that work towards shalom, both personally and in our communities.”
Dr. Timothy Hendrickson ’96 has always been drawn to a particular type of story. “As a child and teenager I loved the Indiana Jones movies, the Star Wars movies, and even old episodes of Star Trek. It wasn’t until graduate school that I realized that older adventure fiction is one of the sources of those stories. Since then, I’ve been interested in 19th century British literature, in particular the adventure novels of H. Rider Haggard and Robert Louis Stevenson. I’m also interested in the fiction of Walter Scott, Thomas Hardy, and Wilkie Collins.”
In his courses, Hendrickson helps his students see the connectedness of literature, so they can appreciate the connectedness of all humanity. “In association with teaching King Lear recently, I assigned a dramatic adaption. This assignment required students to take a scene from Shakespeare and recast it in a different place and time. In response, one student imagined an interaction between a rap mogul and her children, both of whom were fighting to take over their mother’s company. Through this assignment, this particular student grasped what I want all students to take away from my classes: We are always telling the same stories, and that universality is what I find to be the defining characteristic of literature.”
What drew him to Trinity:
Hendrickson earned a BA in history and philosophy from Trinity. “I completed my undergrad work here, met my future wife here, and never went back to live in suburban New York City after I graduated from here. Trinity has defined much of my adult life, and teaching here is an extension of the relationship that began in the 1990s. More than almost any other place, Trinity feels like home.”
Research Interests:
Hendrickson pursues new and interesting approaches to familiar literature. “In this way, I try to re-invigorate literature that many people are already familiar with and to challenge those people’s preconceptions about how particular works are relevant to their lives and communities.”
When he’s not teaching:
Hendrickson describes himself as “an avid but mediocre golfer.” He also enjoys cycling, when he can find the time. “Of course I read, but less now because of my two wonderful children, Emily and Thomas.”
- + Expertise
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Dr. Timothy Hendrickson ’96 has always been drawn to a particular type of story. “As a child and teenager I loved the Indiana Jones movies, the Star Wars movies, and even old episodes of Star Trek. It wasn’t until graduate school that I realized that older adventure fiction is one of the sources of those stories. Since then, I’ve been interested in 19th century British literature, in particular the adventure novels of H. Rider Haggard and Robert Louis Stevenson. I’m also interested in the fiction of Walter Scott, Thomas Hardy, and Wilkie Collins.”
In his courses, Hendrickson helps his students see the connectedness of literature, so they can appreciate the connectedness of all humanity. “In association with teaching King Lear recently, I assigned a dramatic adaption. This assignment required students to take a scene from Shakespeare and recast it in a different place and time. In response, one student imagined an interaction between a rap mogul and her children, both of whom were fighting to take over their mother’s company. Through this assignment, this particular student grasped what I want all students to take away from my classes: We are always telling the same stories, and that universality is what I find to be the defining characteristic of literature.”
What drew him to Trinity:
Hendrickson earned a BA in history and philosophy from Trinity. “I completed my undergrad work here, met my future wife here, and never went back to live in suburban New York City after I graduated from here. Trinity has defined much of my adult life, and teaching here is an extension of the relationship that began in the 1990s. More than almost any other place, Trinity feels like home.”
Research Interests:
Hendrickson pursues new and interesting approaches to familiar literature. “In this way, I try to re-invigorate literature that many people are already familiar with and to challenge those people’s preconceptions about how particular works are relevant to their lives and communities.”
When he’s not teaching:
Hendrickson describes himself as “an avid but mediocre golfer.” He also enjoys cycling, when he can find the time. “Of course I read, but less now because of my two wonderful children, Emily and Thomas.”