Bluefield State Professor Featured in NBC TODAY Story on Netflix Adaptation of Steinbeck Classic
A Bluefield State University professor is lending his expertise to a national conversation about one of American literature’s most celebrated novels and its adaptation for a new generation of viewers.
Dr. Jeffrey Yeager, Associate Professor of English and Philosophy at Bluefield State University, was interviewed by NBC’s TODAY.com for a story examining Netflix’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden and the perspectives of scholars who have devoted their careers to studying the acclaimed American author.
Yeager is a recognized Steinbeck scholar whose research focuses primarily on the author’s work. He currently serves as Vice President of the International Society of Steinbeck Scholars, a position he will hold through 2029.
The national attention comes as renewed interest in Steinbeck’s work introduces his writing to audiences who may be encountering his stories for the first time.
First published in 1952, East of Eden explores themes of family, morality, identity, and the struggle between good and evil. The novel remains one of Steinbeck’s most significant works and continues to inspire discussion among literary scholars, students, and readers.
For Bluefield State, Yeager’s participation in the TODAY.com story offers an opportunity to highlight the academic expertise available to students at the University, particularly those pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in English.
Having one of our faculty members sought out by a national news organization speaks to the knowledge and expertise our professors bring to the classroom. Our students have the opportunity to learn directly from accomplished scholars like Dr. Yeager, who are actively engaged in their fields. That kind of personal interaction is one of the strengths of a Bluefield State education.
Cathy Deeb, Bluefield State University Acting President
Yeager earned his Ph.D. in English from West Virginia University in 2020 and holds graduate degrees in English and philosophy. His teaching at Bluefield State includes American and world literature, composition, English grammar, and philosophy.
His academic interests extend beyond literature to questions of ethics, morality, and the human experience, subjects that frequently intersect with the themes explored in Steinbeck’s writing.
For students interested in exploring literature, language, philosophy, and the ideas that shape our understanding of the world, Bluefield State’s Humanities Program offers an opportunity to study these subjects in depth.
The University’s Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, English concentration, can now be completed online through live, interactive Google Meet sessions. This flexible format allows students to participate in real-time classroom discussions and engage directly with faculty and classmates without having to travel to campus, expanding access to the program for working adults, nontraditional students, and those living outside the immediate region.
The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication, and the study of literary works that have influenced generations of readers. These skills provide a strong foundation for careers in education, writing, communications, public service, and other professional fields, as well as graduate and professional studies, including law school.
The analytical reading, persuasive writing, and logical reasoning skills developed through the study of literature and philosophy are particularly valuable for students considering careers in law and preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Literature gives us an opportunity to examine questions about human nature that remain relevant regardless of when a book was written. Stories like East of Eden continue to resonate because they deal with choices, relationships, and the challenges that define the human experience.
Dr. Yeager, Associate Professor of English and Philosophy at Bluefield State University
The TODAY.com article featuring Yeager can be read at:
NBC TODAY: Steinbeck Scholars Review Netflix’s East of Eden
To learn more about Bluefield State University’s Humanities Program and its English concentration, visit www.bluefieldstate.edu.
