Susan J. Behrens
Title
Professor of LinguisticsDepartment
Joint appointment in Communication Sciences and Disorders & PsychologyPhone
212-774-0722About
Susan J. Behrens holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Brown University. At Brown, and later as a research associate at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (NY) and Cambridge University (UK), Susan conducted research on the processing of language and its neural connections. At MMC, Susan is Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and teaches courses in linguistics and sociolinguistics. She is the chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is also the director of the MMC Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence.
Her textbooks include An Introduction to Speech Science (with Jack Ryalls; Allyn and Bacon, 2000), Grammar (Routledge 2010), Language in the Real World (with Judith Parker, Routledge, 2010), Understanding Language Use in the Classroom (Multilingual Matters, 2014), and an expanded/enhanced version of Understanding Language Use (2018).
Degree(s)
B.A., Queens College of the City University of New York
M.A., Brown University
Ph.D., Brown University
Recent Work
Books and Chapters:
Behrens, S.J. (In Press). Support, Hope, and Strength through Naming in Fiction for Young Readers. In Diversity in Naming in Young Adult Fiction, ed. Iman Nick. Bloomsbury Press.
Behrens, S.J. (2023). Angry Young Women and Rebel Writers: The Naming of a Feminist Literary Movement. In Literary Onomastics: An Introduction, ed. Dorothy Robbins. Landham, MD: Lexington Press.
Behrens, S.J. (2018). Understanding language use in the classroom: Including teaching materials for college educators. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Behrens, S.J. (2014). Understanding language use in the classroom: A linguistic guide for college educators. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Behrens, S.J. (2010). Grammar: A pocket guide. Oxon, UK: Routledge Press.
Behrens, S.J. and Parker, J.A. (Eds.). (2010). Language in the real world: An introduction to linguistics. New York and Oxon: Routledge Press.
Ryalls, J. and Behrens, S.J. (2005). Introduction to speech science: From basic theories to clinical applications. Translated into Chinese by Psychological Publishing.
Ryalls, J. and Behrens, S.J. (2000). Introduction to speech science: From basic theories to clinical applications. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Behrens, S. J., Kirle, B. and Gandhi-Schwatlo, N. (1997). Peterson’s GMAT success. Princeton: Peterson’s Press.
Selected Articles and Reviews
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Behrens, S.J. (2025). Naming to Survive in the Face of Powerlessness: Onomastic Contributions to the Scholarship of Fiction for Young Readers. Names, a Journal of Onomastics, 73 (4), 53-62. DOI 10.5195/names.2025.2759
Antony, R., Martin, B., Shafer, V., & Behrens, S. (2024). Perception of Voicing and Aspiration in Hindi, American English, and Tamil Listeners in Quiet and in Background Noise. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 1-27.
Behrens, S.J. and Kandel, M. (2021). Deepening Metalinguistic Awareness in Developmental Writing Using The New York Times. Research and Teaching in Developmental Education.
Tropp, L. and Behrens, S. (July/October 2021). Pandemic Language: A Battle for Control over More than the Virus. ETC, 202-208.
Behrens, S.J. (Winter 2021). The Essential Self of Natalie Waite in Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson. Names, 39, 1-8. DOI: 10.5195/names.2021.2244.
Mercer, C. and Behrens S.J. (Fall 2020). Teaching Remotely in a Topsy-Turvy World: Rethinking the Accessible Classroom in the Era of COVID-19. Research and Teaching in Developmental Education.
Behrens, S. J. & Fernández, E. M. (2020). Linguistically informed pedagogy in higher education: A role for teaching and learning centers. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 31(2), 143-160.
Behrens, S.J., Gomez, A., & Krimgold, J. (2019). Spelling counts: The educational gatekeeping role of grading rubrics and spell check programs. Research and Teaching in Developmental Education, 7-20.
Behrens, S.J. (2016). Teaching difficult material: Lessons on Linguistic (In)tolerance. Research and Teaching in Developmental Education 31 (1), 63-71.
Behrens, S.J., Catalano, R., Perez, J., Clark, K., and Chisholm, L. (2016). Challenging linguistic stereotypes on the Internet. Research and Teaching in Developmental Education 32 (2), 62-72.
Behrens, S.J., Chirinos, Y., Spencer, M., and Spradley, S. (2016). Academic English and language-related technology, NADE Digest 8 (1), 28-34.
Behrens, S., Johnson, A., Allard, M., and Caroli, A. (2016). I know it when I see it: Uncovering college student-educator expectations about academic writing. Writing & Pedagogy 8 (2), 309-332.
Editor-Reviewed Journal Articles
Behrens, S.J. (2025). Review of Gliff by Ali Smith. Names, a Journal of Onomastics, 73 (4), 66-68.
Behrens, S.J. (2025). Review of “The Names.” Names, a Journal of Onomastics, 73 (3), 62-64.
Behrens, S.J. (2023). Review of “Vixens.” Names, a Journal of Onomastics, 71 (1), 61-62.
Behrens, S.J. (2022). Review of “Mayflies.” Names, a Journal of Onomastics, 70 (4), 2022, 58-59.
Behrens, S. J. (2022). Review of A Women’s History of the Beatles. Women & Language, 45 (2), 247-252. DOI 10.34036/WL.2022.021
Behrens, S.J. (2022). The Onomastic Game Is Afoot: Naming in John Lennon’s “The Singularge Experience of Miss Anne Duffield.” In Monadnock Sherlockian Anthology. Ed. A.B. Behrens. Nine Muses Books.
Behrens, S. (2021). Review of The Address Book. Names, 69 (1), 1-9. DOI 10.5195/names.2021.228
Films:
Behrens, S.J. (Producer and Director) (2013). The three Rs: Representation of English, reality of language, and realignment of expectations: A primer for professors on the nature of language and academic discourse. United States. Plaster Bear Productions.
Research
Student and professor expectations of academic English.
Conversational analysis of student-teacher/tutor meetings.
Linguistics and grammar as a pedagogical tool.
Teaching
Courses offered:
Introduction to Linguistics
Analyzing the Structure of English across Genres
Phonetics
Speech and Hearing Science
The Sound of Your Voice: General Education Upper Division
Language and Culture: General Education Upper Division
Psycholinguistics: General Education Upper Division
Professional Experience
Director: Marymount Manhattan College Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence (C-TIE)
Associate: Institute for Writing and Thinking, Bard College, NY
Free-lance Contributor: The New York Times in Education
Summer Instructor: Columbia University, High School Program and Internship in Building Community
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (2020-2021)