Department of English

The independent study in Web Publishing is an interdisciplinary course jointly conducted by the Kean University English Department and the Office of University Relations. Students must submit a completed application along with a writing sample to be considered for the program.  The application deadline for Fall 2013 is August 23rd.  Applicants will be informed of their acceptance by August 30, 2013.  Web Publishing interns are privileged to represent Kean University on the web via the Kean XChange student blog.  

The web publishing program explores the concept of narrative as it pertains to the web. Students chronicle all facets of their Kean experience (Academic, Athletic, Resident, Social) through Kean XChange's student blog and are immersed in various avenues of digital communication.

Our most recent cohort of students thrived in the program and we look forward to further diversifying and expanding our applicant pool with your help.  You can access the online application here. 

Our English Awards Ceremony honoring the recipients of the Bauer/Boucher scholarships and the Haselton and Millard prizes was held on Tuesday afternoon, May 7 at 3:15 p.m. in the CAS Art Gallery on the first floor. In addition, Sigma Tau Delta inductees were recognized and the Sigma Tau Delta banner was presented by Dr. Nira Gupta-Casale. Recipients of awards are as follows:

Sigma Tau Delta Honors Society Induction Ceremony and Dinner was held on May 3 (6 pm) at the Garden Restaurant.

Dr. Donald J. Moores and Dr. James O. Pawlenski have had their edited book The Eudaimonic Turn: Well-Being in Literary Studies published by Fairleigh Dickinson University Press (December, 2012).

The independent study in Web Publishing is an interdisciplinary course jointly conducted by the Kean University English Department and the Office of University Relations. Students must submit a completed application along with a writing sample to be considered for the program. Submit applications to Dr. Maria Zamora. (For an application form, go to http://www.kean.edu/KU/Web-Publishing/.) The application deadline for Spring 2013 is December 21, 2012.  Applicants will be informed of their acceptance by January 4, 2013.  

The course will explore the concept of narrative as it pertains to the web. Students will chronicle all facets of their Kean experience (Academic, Athletic, Resident, Artistic, Social) via Kean XChange's student blog. Students will be immersed in various avenues of digital communication including: blogging, micro-blogging, social media, video editing and photography. Students will be encouraged to contribute serialized fiction, performance footage, monologues, video-logs and other cutting edge new media projects. Students will be graded on creativity, professionalism, participation in classroom discussions and an array of independent study projects.

The course will also probe the intersection between web publishing and literature. Students will explore how serialization and the democratization of writing were integral to the advent of new media. How is the blog, an episodic new literary form, part of a broader tradition?

The course will explore emerging technologies as well as techniques and tools widely in use throughout the blogosphere. In addition, students will be introduced to the Drupal content management system, PhotoShop, iMovie and basic html.

The Kean University Writing Project is currently celebrating the "Day on Writing" which occurs every October with a Series of events on Campus:  

Click here for the full schedule:  http://keanxchange.com/content/spotlight/national-day-writing 

Wednesday, October 17

3:30-4:30 p.m. @ Writing Center (CAS)

Creative Writing Workshop

For all authors of creative writing, including poetry, short stories, or the like. Whether you are a student with a finished piece of work that you would like to share in an intimate setting, or a student drafting ideas for a personal tale, we invite you to participate in one of our Creative Writing workshops. 

Sponsored by the Kean University Writing Center

Thursday, October 18

10 a.m.–5 p.m. @ Windows of the Writing Center (CAS)

Writing Wall

Students, faculty and staff are invited to write a short message, signature or other creative piece on the chart paper lining the windows of the CAS, celebrating writing in the most freeing of formats.

Sponsored by the Kean University Writing Center

10 a.m.–5 p.m. @ Windows of the Writing Center (CAS)

Rolling Story

Next to the Writing Wall is a journal that holds a story written one sentence at a time by each member of the Writing Center staff. We invite you to continue the story by adding your own unique sentence and voice to this ongoing tale.

Sponsored by the Kean University Writing Center

12:15-2 p.m. @ CAS 406 Conference Room

Lunch & Learn: How to Use The New York Times in the Classroom 

A representative from The Times will give tips on how professors in a wide range of fields, from the sciences to the humanities, can enliven the classroom with topical content from The Times.

Participants will receive a special bonus – a free weekday subscription to professors who use The Times in their courses.

For adjuncts and full-time faculty only, please. Please e-mail plauro@kean.edu to reserve a seat.

Presented by Prof. Pat Winters Lauro | Sponsored by the Department of Communication

12:30-1:30 p.m. @ UC 226 (Lunch at 12:15 p.m.)

Writing for & Publishing in Journals

A discussion will be led by editors of journals and reviewers from academic publishers on what to know when submitting articles or book manuscripts to publishers. The roundtable participants will offer advice on what mistakes to avoid when submitting articles or book manuscripts. Three panelists and a chair will talk about their experiences and offer suggestions to authors on ways that might help increase the likelihood of getting an acceptance. Following the panel discussion, attendees can participate in a Q&A session with the panelists.  

To register for this workshop, please visit http://orsp.kean.edu/WorkshopsFall_2012.html

2-3:15 p.m. @ CAS 448

Styles of Professional Writing and Communication

Kean University journalism professor, Pat Winters Lauro, will moderate a panel discussion about the challenges and requirements of writing in different professional genres. Panelists include: Dr. Christopher Lynch, chair of the Department of Communication, who will discuss academic writing; Peter Hercky, owner of Hercky Pasqua Herman, a public relations and ad agency; Steve Baltin of CBS Radio; and Daniel Reyes, editor of The Tower student newspaper and website.  

Presented by Prof. Pat Winters Lauro | Sponsored by the Department of Communication

2-3:20 p.m. @ CAS 350

Commenting on Student Writing – A Special Workshop for Pre-Service Teachers

Participants in this workshop will examine current best practices in responding to student work; share strategies for responding in effective and efficient ways; and practice the strategies discussed.  Pre-Service teachers at the middle and secondary education level are especially encouraged to attend!

Presented by Dr. Mark Sutton |Sponsored by the Department of English

2-3:30 p.m. @ CAS 249

Digital Storytelling in the Classroom

Digital Storytelling combines narrative traditions with digital tools to allow ordinary people to create and share their stories. In this workshop, presenters will discuss the traditional digital story as well as modern variations.

Presented by Drs. Kristine Mirrer, Fred Fitch and Catherine Londino, and Prof. Larry Tung 

Sponsored by the Department of Communication

3:30-5:30 p.m. @ Cougar's Den

Poetry Café Open Mic

The Writing Center invites you to an afternoon of poetry, fiction and other creative works. Whether you'd like to share your own personal writing or just support those who do, we welcome you to join us.

World Literature has a new resource developed by Dr. Maria Zamora: WorldLiterate. From the site:

"At WorldLiterate -you can download a literary classic, -you can access a wealth of literary criticism, -you can discover material to support your own lectures, lesson plans or school projects, -you can listen to a poem via podcast, -you can unearth more about your favorite authors, -you can visualize the world with maps and timelines, -you can support your writing with helpful writing resources, -you can watch videos of accomplished writers, -you can access documentaries and films, -you can catch up on the latest debates in the digital humanities and education."

The independent study in Web Publishing is an interdisciplinary course jointly conducted by the Kean University English Department and the Office of University Relations.  Students must submit a completed application along with a writing sample and two references to be considered for the program.  

The course will explore the concept of narrative as it pertains to the web.  Students will chronicle all facets of their Kean experience (Academic, Athletic, Resident, Artistic, Social) via Kean XChange's student blog.  Students will be immersed in various avenues of digital communication including: blogging, micro-blogging, social media, video editing and photography.  Students will be encouraged to contribute serialized fiction, performance footage, monologues, video-logs and other cutting edge new media projects.  Students will be graded on creativity, professionalism, participation in classroom discussions and an array of independent study projects.  Each accepted student will receive an IPad 2 for use in conjunction with the course.

The course will also probe the intersection between web publishing and literature.  Students will explore how serialization and the democratization of writing were integral to the advent of new media. How is the blog, an episodic new literary form, part of a broader tradition? The course will explore emerging technologies as well as techniques and tools widely in use throughout the blogosphere.  In addition, students will be introduced to the Drupal content management system, PhotoShop, iMovie and basic html.

For application form, download here.

Dr. John Cullen Gruesser publishes The Empire Abroad and the Empire at Home with the University of Georgia Press.