News | Department of English

Convocation for English Majors

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:50:11 -0500

On February 25 & 26 (3:15-4:30 pm), a convocation for English majors will held in CAS 106 to share refreshments and important information about the major.

The Eudaimonic Turn

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:35:57 -0500

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).

Book Event with Dr. Gruesser

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:53:46 -0500

On February 3, there will be a book event on The Empire Abroad and the Empire at Home by Dr. John Cullen Gruesser.

New Course in Web Publishing

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:48:10 -0500

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 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.

Lectures on Contemporary Issues in New and Emerging Media

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:25:42 -0400

The Kean University Department of English and The Office of University Relations are excited to announce a series of jointly sponsored lectures exploring contemporary issues in new and emerging media. Complimentary continental breakfast served. All are welcome. Click to download the flyer.

October 24th, 10am – 11am, COUGARS DEN

Dr. Mia Zamora - How Digital Humanities is Transforming the Traditional Approaches to the Humanities

October 31st, 10am – 11am COUGARS DEN

Ms. Neiha Bhandari - Virtual Identities: Blogging, Social Networking and the Individual

November 7th, 10am – 11am COUGARS DEN

Ms. Danielle Ford – Parallel Courses: The Victorian Era Rise of Serialization and the Advent of the Blog

November 21st, 10am – 11am COUGARS DEN

Dr. Jeffrey Toney – New Media: Being Heard Above the Roar

National Day on Writing

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:25:08 -0400

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.

Web Publishing Internship

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:23:41 -0400

The Department of English has Web Publishing Internships. Right now, our five student bloggers have been contributing to the social media component of the Kean University website called KeanXchange. Click here to access our student's blogs: http://keanxchange.com/student-voices

WorldLiterate Launches

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:04:31 -0400

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."

Religious Allusion in the Poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:31:29 -0400

Dr. Margot Banks publishes Religious Allusion in the Poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks.

Web Publishing Course

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:23:13 -0400

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.

75th Annual Poetry Elocution Contest

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:15:03 -0400

The 75th Poetry Elocution Contest for NJ High Schools was hosted by the Department of English on April 27 and was organized by Dr. Nira Gupta-Casale with the assistance of Graduate Assistant Jonathan Daneshpour. Supported and funded by the National Writing Project, this event had 27 contestants representing 14 schools.

THE FINALISTS
1st Place: Lauren Sauer	Mother Seton Regional High School
2nd Place: Tim Lynch	Union Catholic High School
3rd Place: Thomas Hartnett	Union Catholic High School
4th Place: Jillian Curry	JP Stevens High School
5th Place: Charlie Yaris	Columbia High School
6th Place: Maya Peterson	Lawrenceville High School
THE JUDGES
Prof. Rachael Warmington	Department of English Kean University
Prof. Lisa Sisler	Department of English Kean University
Assistant Director Erica Holan	National Writing Project Kean University
Prof. Norman Hobbie	Department of Communication Kean University
THE CONTEST STAFF
Dr. Dan O'Day	Chair, Department of English
Dr. Nira Gupta-Casale	Contest Director
Dr. Mark Sutton	Tabulation
Mr. Jonathan Daneshpour	Graduate Assistant

The Empire Abroad and the Empire at Home

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:33:52 -0400

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

ΣΤΔ Induction Ceremony 2012

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:42:16 -0400

The Sigma Tau Induction Ceremony was held on April 12 on the East Campus, 6:30-9pm. The student band, "216" with Isaac Gold as the lead guitarist, and Dr. Susanna Rich of the English Dept. were the featured guest presenters and performed to the delight of all present.

18 students were inducted into the Kean Chapter, Upsilon XI, of the International Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta. The induction was conducted by the 2011-12 Executive Board of the Kean Chapter, Shawn Albanese, Acting President, Diana Marchese, Vice President, and Julia Reyes, Secretary, and presided over by Dr. Nira Gupta-Casale, Faculty Adviser to the Honors Society.

The Induction was very well attended with over 50 guests, including English Dept. faculty, Dr. Dan O'Day (Chair), Dr. Dean Casale, Dr. Ruth Griffith, Dr. Sarah Ducksworth, Dr. Mark Sutton and Dr. Don Moores. The event was organized by the Sigma Tau Delta Society E-Board, Shawn, Diana and Julia, and the faculty adviser, Dr. N.Gupta-Casale, and supported by donations from the English Dept.

For photos of the event, click here.

FALL 2012 Registration Information

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:16:37 -0400

Registration information for Fall 2012 has been posted online. (Click here.) Note that in addition to seeing one's advisor, English majors should attend one of two advisement meetings, either March 27 or April 3, 3:20-4:30 pm, in CAS 358.

Sarah Ducksworth in "Underground Railroad: The William Still Story

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:57:10 -0500

Dr. Sarah Ducksworth appears in PBS's documentary film, "Underground Railroad: The William Still Story", which premiered on Feb 6, 2012.

Student Poetry Published

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:24:44 -0500

Students in Writing for Cyberspace (taught by Adjunct Professor Rachael Warmington) had their poetry published in The Tower Journal.

Susanna Rich Leads Discussion at Kean Ocean Faculty Forum

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:53:35 -0500

Dr. Susanna Rich led the discussion "Bliss and How: Teaching Heart-to-Heart" at the Kean Ocean Faculty Forum, November 21, 2011.

Spring 2012 Registration Information

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:11:53 -0400

Registration information for Spring 2012 has been posted online. (Click here.) Note that in addition to seeing one's advisor, English majors should attend one of two advisement meetings (either October 25 or November 1, 3:20-4:30 pm, in CAS 358.

National Day of Writing

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:22:55 -0400

The Kean University Writing Project (KUWP), in cooperation with the National Writing Project, and the National Council for the Teaching of English, held its 3rd Annual Day on Writing Celebration on Thursday, October 20, 2011. (For more information on the events, see the flyer.)

Lunch with Luis Rodriguez

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:51:31 -0400

Yesterday, twenty-seven KUWP Teacher-Consultants, supporters from the external community, and KUWP staff enjoyed a visit with poet, writer, and activist Luis Rodriguez. Part of the University's Issues 2011 Series, the event coincided with the release of the author's newly-released provocative memoir, It Calls You Back: An Odyssey through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing. Participants enjoyed lunch with the author as well as his moving presentation about his life and work, and they each received a signed copy of the aforementioned work. (Click here for flyer.)