Welcome to the blog for the Villanova English department! Visit often for updates on department events, guest speakers, faculty and student accomplishments, and reviews and musings from professors and undergraduates alike.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Chronicle of Higher Education Paid Internship

The Chronicle of Higher Education is seeking four interns for the summer 2014 session, which will begin in May and last through August.  The Chronicle's internships aim to give current undergraduates and recent college graduates the opportunity to gain professional experience at the No. 1 source for news about higher education.  Applicants must show a strong interest in pursuing a career in journalism with relevant coursework or prior experience.

The internships are full-time in our Washington, D.C. office. In addition to a $500 weekly stipend, academic credit can often be arranged.

Interns will report and write daily news articles for The Chronicle's Web site (which often appear subsequently in print), write news articles for other sections of the newspaper, blog, and do research for special projects.

There is very little grunt work. Interns who prove themselves as reporters and writers are often asked to write full-length features.

The Chronicle places a premium on reporting that is accurate and writing that shines. All writing, including that done by staff reporters, is carefully edited. Interns typically leave with a set of strong, varied clips.
Requirements: Experience writing for publication, either at a student newspaper or a professional publication, is required. Candidates with previous internships and deadline-reporting experience are preferred. Candidates must be able to legally work in the United States and to stay through the term of the internship. Applications should include a cover letter; a résumé with telephone, e-mail, and postal contact information; and a maximum of five varied and impressive clips. Clips should include dates and publication names. Please be sure type is large enough to read.

Applications for the internship can be sent via either e-mail or hard copy. They must be received by 5  p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 and sent to:
Dan Berrett
Internship Coordinator
The Chronicle of Higher Education
1255 23rd Street, NW, 7th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20037
internship@chronicle.com

Remember that to receive credit for an internship, you must apply at our Internship Office: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/ous/internship.html.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Alumni Profile: Catherine Bucaria, Class of 2011

Occupation: Editorial Assistant, Random House Audio Group, Random House, Inc.

Major: English. Concentration: Honors. Minor: Business
Catherine Bucaria
What she does: “As Editorial Assistant for the Random House Audio group, I assist with manuscript review, profit & loss analysis, and acquisition of potential adult and children's audiobook titles. Once we have put together our list of titles, I coordinate seasonal title launch meetings for our division, creating PowerPoints, handouts, and presentations for all titles for the sales, marketing, publicity, and production teams. On a daily basis, I manage title set-up, pricing, and network data for all audio imprints, initiate and circulate contract drafts, coordinate weekly editorial meetings, send author audio copies, and serve as a contact person for authors, agents, and subrights personnel.”

How her English major helped: “I could not be more happy with my decision to major in English at Villanova. I was constantly challenged by my readings, professors, and the variety of courses that are required to complete the major. The writing and analytical skills that resulted from my work in those classes prepared me for workplace situations where a clear and concise, yet creative solution is required. My ability to process and comprehend material given to me and then summarize and extrapolate on the main points is a direct result of the work I did as an English major, and it has been invaluable. Thorough, thoughtful analysis of any reading or data becomes second nature to English majors and will set you apart once you enter the professional world."

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Abbey Theatre Summer Studio 2014

The course would count for your major in English.  If you have questions, contact Prof. Joseph Lennon of the English department and Irish Studies: joseph.lennon@villanova.edu.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Summer Internships with the Pennsylvania Historical Museum and Commission.

The Pennsylvania Historical Museum and Commission is now accepting applications from students who are interested in applying for The 2014 Keystone Summer Internship Program.

The deadline for submission is Friday February 14th 2014.

Students, please send the following:
1.       The 2014 Keystone Internship Application  (attached to 12/9 email to English majors from Dr. Radcliffe)
2.       Resume
3.       An essay describing why you want to pursue an internship position with The Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission.
4.       A professor’s letter of recommendation
5.       Transcripts
Please send all items to ra-phmcinterns@state.pa.us

For other questions, please contact Amy Jukus at ajukus@pa.gov


Remember that to receive credit for an internship, you must apply at our Internship Office: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/ous/internship.html.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Dr. Charles Cherry Essay

Dr. Charles Cherry’s essay “Quakers and Asylum Reform” has just been published in The Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies, edited by Stephen W. Angell and Pink Dandelion for Oxford University Press.  After placing asylum reform in the context of Quaker beliefs and history in 17th century England, Dr. Cherry’s article discusses the central role of England’s York Retreat, established in 1796.  It provided a model of kindness and compassion, known as “moral treatment,” that influenced the growth of numerous imitators in England and America and became a positive counterpoint to the questionable treatments at private madhouses and public hospitals.  This concept has been revived in the 20th century under such new rubrics as “milieu therapy” and the “open hospital.”

Friday, November 22, 2013

Luminary Shakespeare Othello

In partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library and Simon & Schuster, Luminary Shakespeare announces the release of Othello, content director Lauren Shohet. This i-pad app (available at the i-tunes store) contains a scholarly text of the play with glosses and notes, commentary by expert scholars and actors, an audio text, images from the Folger collection, and the opportunity for bookmarking, individual annotation, and social-media discussion.

Faculty Development Grant Winners

Dr. Chiji Akoma has been named one of the recipients of the 2013 Faculty Development Grant. The grant will fund his trip to Nigeria to do archival work at the Nigerian Television Authority headquarters library in Abuja in the summer of 2014. Dr. Akoma is conducting research for a monograph on the development of popular theatre in south eastern Nigeria, using as his primary source the television show Icheoku, which ran on both regional and national networks in the 1980’s up to mid-1990’s. The show is set in the late 19th century colonial era and features the daily interactions between a British colonial administrator who doubles as a magistrate and his half-literate Nigerian court clerk and interpreter. Dr. Akoma is using the television series to explore the idea of cultural agency and the development of popular theatrical tradition in south-east Nigeria, especially in light of the resulting interface of orality and literacy.
Dr. Chiji Akoma
Dr. Lisa Sewell of the English department has also won a Faculty Development Grant related to manuscript reviewing for creative writing.

Internships at Montgomery Media

We’ve just received notice of internships at Montgomery Media from Thomas Celona, one of our English major alumni (from the class of 2009):

Montgomery Media, a local multimedia news group that publishes 14 community newspapers, seeks interns for the spring semester. Internships would be for college credit or on a freelance pay basis. Job duties would include assisting news editors, evaluating news submissions from the community, copy editing, preparing photos for print, compiling community listings, posting to website and social media, along with the opportunity to write news/feature articles for publication. Seeking interns available five to 15 hours per week; hours and times are flexible. If interested, please contact Editor Thomas Celona at tcelona@montgomerynews.com.

Remember that to receive credit for an internship, you must apply at our Internship Office: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/ous/internship.html

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Prof. Jeff Silverman's book on the Merion Golf Course

Prof. Jeff Silverman’s history of Merion Golf Club, Merion: The Championship Story, has just been published.  The Merion course, in Ardmore, is one of the most famous in the country, and was the site of the U.S. Open (for the fifth time) last summer. The history of the course includes a few figures with literary connections, such as the golfer Edith Cummings, who became the model for Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby (also the first woman athlete--and only the fourth woman--to be on the cover of Time Magazine).  In addition, the legendary Bobby Jones, who completed a Grand Slam of golf’s major tournaments at Merion in 1930 (and who had been an English major at Harvard) used a driver he named Jeanie Deans, after a character in Sir Walter Scott’s 1818 novel The Heart of Midlothian.  Finally, Prof. Silverman notes the appropriateness of the day on which the 2013 Open at Merion ended: June 16, 2013.  June 16, the day on which James Joyce’s Ulysses is set, is celebrated internationally as Bloomsday--which makes it fitting that the winner was Justin Rose, whose last name evokes a flower.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Global Communications Internship with Campbell Soup Company

The deadline to apply via GoNovaJobs for a Global Communications internship with Campbell Soup is Nov. 18.   Campbell’s lists English as one of its desirable majors.  Details follow.


Imagine...working for a company that knows that its people are the key to its success in the marketplace. A company in which achieving extraordinary results and having a stimulating work experience are part of the same process.

At Campbell, we cultivate and embrace a diverse employee population. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our growth and enrich our global culture.

We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, likes to be challenged, and values the opportunity to make a difference.

Primary Responsibilities:
Assist Global Communications team with various projects including:
Write articles for internal Employee News portal. Assist with other postings on Intranet site and external corporate web site.
Research and write media materials, such as fact sheets and biographies.
Assist with activites on a veriety of Global Communicatiosn programs and events, including employee engagement efforts, video production and photography.
Conduct Internet research as needed on key topics related to the food industry and/or business.
Minimum Requirements:
Minimum education requirements - Sophomore, junior or senior currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English or related major
Strong writing and organizational skills
Good interpersonal skills
Team player; SharePoint experience a plus
The timing of this internship is Spring 2014 - 20 hours per week.

Contact Information:
Katie Preston | Staffing Coordinator
1 Campbell Place Box35D
Camden, New Jersey  08103
United States
Email: katie_preston@campbellsoup.com
Phone: (856) 968-5701
Fax: 856-342-3765

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

U.S. Labor Department Internships

Remember that to receive credit for an internship, you must apply at our Internship Office: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/ous/internship.html.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Why Employers Are Mad

CNBC just posted an article entitled “Why Johnny can’t write, and why employers are mad”;  click here to read the article.  It cites employers who say they can’t find qualified candidates for their jobs, and adds that often the problem is applicants’ “inadequate communication skills”:  “In survey after survey, employers are complaining about job candidates’ inability to speak and write clearly.”

The article quotes William Ellet, who teaches writing at Brandeis International Business School and previously taught writing at Harvard Business School, about the importance of writing to companies: “Recruiters and companies are saying, ‘Send us a writing sample, and if you don’t meet our standards for communication, we are not hiring you.’”

It also refers to a previous article (“Jobs skills gap: The basics become a problem”;  click here to read the article) which described a telephone survey of 500 top executives.  Of those surveyed, 92 percent said there was a “gap” in the skills of the American workforce, and nearly half of those pointed to a gap in “communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration.”

ENG 2006-H01 / Honors Poetry Writing Workshop

This spring you have the opportunity to register for Eng 2006-H01, an Honors Poetry Writing Workshop.

The professor of the course, Dr. Eamonn Wall, is a highly regarded writer and experienced teacher who will be the visiting Heimbold Professor of Irish Studies.  You can read more about him here.
Dr. Eamonn Wall
Although this is an Honors class, as an English major you need only a 3.0 GPA to take it.  If you’re interested, please let Dr. Radcliffe know (evan.radcliffe@villanova.edu), and he can set things up for you.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

English Department at the Spit

The first-ever English-department-in-the-dining-halls event took place on Tues., Nov. 5.  Faculty and students (equipped with our renowned English candy bars) set up tables at the Spit and talked with freshman and sophomore diners about the English major.
English majors Jess Swoboda, Julia Willis and Mary Muldoon at the Spit.

Vizion Group Internship

You’re an English / Journalism / PR / Marketing major looking for an internship. But you want an internship that is both cool and productive as a tool for getting an actual job so you don’t have to live with your parents after graduation. Am I right? Enter: Vizion Group.
Do: Join our dedicated team and build your portfolio by writing releases and news articles, developing and updating marketing materials and conceiving and developing mind-blowing (yet effective) campaigns. Have you ever cold called a newspaper, magazine or blog to pitch a story? You may. With your help, we will maximize our effectiveness and improve our ability to serve our non-profit and sports marketing clients around the globe.

Vizion Group seeks well-educated, driven individuals who can collaborate on teams and operate independently.  Ideal candidates will be familiar with AP style and have experience writing and editing news or magazine articles. Experience at a college newspaper or marketing/PR firm is a huge bonus.

Don’t do: Organize paper clips or get coffee for your boss.

--Compensation: For credit plus travel stipend.
--Location: 15 Waterloo Avenue, Berwyn, PA. We are located across the street from the Berwyn SEPTA regional rail line. On-site and remote (telecommuting) opportunities available.
--Application deadlines: NOW! Hurry!
--To apply: Email your resume and writing samples (all mistake free and in PDF format) to Tim Davis at tdavis@viziongroup.net.

NephCure Foundation Communications and Fundraising Internship

NephCure Foundation gives highly qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to help the Foundation’s Fundraising team with the planning and execution of our annual Count Down to the Cure Event.
Essential Functions:
Responsible for assisting coordinators in carrying out fundamental functions of the Fundraising team including but not limited to:
--Fundraising
--Assisting the Fundraising team directly in the organization and outreach for the event
--Helping develop promotional material for the event
--Making sales calls
--Basic clerical duties
--Constituent outreach related to the event and other NephCure initiatives

Requirements:
--US Citizen or US permanent resident (Alien Registration number is required for US permanent residents).
--Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (minimum) for applicants who have not yet received a Master's degree.
--Currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, undergraduate school. If a recent graduate, graduate degree must have been awarded no more than two years prior to application deadline

Qualifications:
--Strong computer knowledge, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
--Excellent writing, verbal communication, presentation and interpersonal skills--
--Must be able to meet deadlines, switch from task to task seamlessly, work independently and as part of a team, and act in a professional and positive manner when dealing with the public.
--A working knowledge of the non-profit and philanthropic industry is a plus.

Unpaid internship;  however, credit hours can be awarded.
Flexible Hours: 10-20 a week

Contact:
Val Alonso
Patient Outreach Coordinator
The NephCure Foundation
15 Waterloo Avenue
Berwyn, PA 19312
valonsogough@nephcure.org


Positions with Grassroots Campaigns

Grassroots Campaigns welcomes English majors;  the organization has had excellent experiences with the many previous staff members who had been English majors.  Canvass Director and Assistant Director Job descriptions follow.
Grassroots Campaigns is a progressive organization that specializes in
running face-to-face campaigns for political parties, candidates, and
advocacy groups.  By running campaigns on behalf of groups such as the
American Civil Liberties Union, Democratic National Committee, the Nature
Conservancy and Oxfam America, we can focus on building up their
membership and base of support.  Also, through running field campaigns for
candidates and other political organizations we can mobilize citizens to
be more actively engaged and involved in politics.

Since 2003, Grassroots Campaigns has worked with many of the most
progressive organizations and political candidates to date.  Our campaigns
have been on the front line of a variety of social change movements and
historic elections.  Our goal is to grow the progressive movement through
face-to-face outreach.

Canvass Directors and Assistant Canvass Directors manage one of our 30
grassroots fundraising field offices across the country, with bottom-line
responsibility for all local operations.

Job Responsibilities:
• Recruitment:  Build a team of 15-50 canvassers by recruiting from within
the local community.  Interview prospective staff and make hiring
decisions.
• Staff Management:  Teach canvassing/fundraising skills.  Work with your
staff in individual and group settings, with a particular eye towards
developing leaders.  Cultivate a welcoming and motivating atmosphere.
• Canvassing:  Canvass in the field for four days per week, to train new
and experienced staff in the field and meet personal fundraising
requirements.
• Administration:  Carefully track income and expenses.  Manage the budget
for your office.  Process staff payroll.  Maintain records for future
organizing efforts.

Qualifications:
Strong communication and motivational skills, work ethic, and desire for
political change are essential.  Candidates must be able to work within a
team, have proven leadership ability and experience handling a lot of
responsibility. Strong self-direction and the ability to take initiative
are also necessary qualifications. Previous field or canvassing experience
is a plus, and may qualify candidates for additional leadership positions.

Training:
Newly hired directors will typically spend three weeks doing field
training, working intensely alongside experienced directors and will also
attend week-long national classroom training.  Additionally, directors
receive support from regional management staff throughout their time on
staff. After one year in the position, staff will have learned the basics
of running a successful grassroots campaign, including, but not limited
to, fundraising and donor recruitment, hiring and supervising staff and/or
volunteers, and turf management.

Expectations:
Positions last through the 2014 Election.  Campaign hours can run 80-100
hours per week, including work on weekends.

Salary/Benefits:
Annual salary for Assistant Canvass Directors begins at $24,000.  Staff
may opt into our health care plan (PPO).  Paid training, vacation and sick
days are included; student loan assistance is available.

Timing and Location:
Positions are available in cities nationwide. Currently hiring in MA, NY,
PA, OH, IL, IN, NM, MO, NC, CO, CA, WA, OR, TX, FL and Washington, D.C. In
order to make the largest impact possible, directors will have a chance to
organize in a city, and expand the progressive movement by opening and
developing campaigns in politically important swing states.

Please visit our website, www.grassrootscampaigns.com, for more
information about current and past campaigns.

Grassroots Campaigns past and current clients include: Amnesty
International, the American Civil Liberties Union, Oxfam America, the
League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Planned
Parenthood Federation of America, Equality California, the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals, VoteVets, the Democratic
National Committee, MoveOn.org Political Action, Repower America, Working
America, Common Cause, and the Center for American Progress and Save the
Children. (Save the Children is an independent organization and is not
religiously or politically aligned. Save the Children has no direct
affiliation with the organizations Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. partners
with.)

Friday, November 1, 2013

Philadelphia Public School Notebook Internships

A list of internships at the Philadelphia Public School Notebook follows.  At least some are particularly well suited to English majors.


Internships at the Philadelphia Public School Notebook

The Philadelphia Public School Notebook is a small, independent/nonprofit located in Center City. We are a news service that publishes six print editions per year that provide coverage of the city’s public schools and related topics in public education: administration, teaching, funding, politics, etc. We also maintain a website on which we have fresh content daily and breaking nes stories. We are fact-based advocates for high quality, equitable education for all public school students.

Below is a list of all available internships at the Notebook. We maintain interns throughout the entire year, and next will be interviewing candidates for our Winter/Spring 2014 cycle of internships, which will be from January-April/May 2014.

Interns are expected to work a minimum of 8 hours per week. All internships are unpaid.

The Notebook is located at 699 Ranstead St., 3rd floor, (at the corner of 7th and Ranstead Sts. inside the PhillyCam building).

Marketing Assistant:
The Notebook is working to expand its revenue from advertising, memberships, and bulk order subscriptions. The business/marketing assistant works alongside the business/operations manager and related staff to support the marketing and sales work of the organization.
Duties include the following, according to organizational need and priority:

* identifying prospective advertisers and subscribers
* implementing and maintaining improved systems for tracking sales work and invoicing customers
* working to expand the newspaper's readership and print circulation
* providing support for the annual spring fundraising event
* assisting with the development of new marketing materials

The assistant will gain valuable, hands-on experience in newspaper advertising sales, circulation, and business management.

Candidates should have experience/interest in sales or marketing and be willing and eager to contribute to the Notebook sales/marketing team.

Qualifications: Strong -Communications skills, verbal and written -Computer skills (web search savvy and basic spreadsheet manipulation is a must). Attention to detail -Ability to work independently and engage in creative problem-solving. Ability to organize, prioritize and work efficiently in a deadline-oriented setting. An interest in the education sector, non-profit income streams/organizational sustainability, and/or community-oriented advocacy journalism is a plus. Most hours must be worked during the normal business day.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to: Shawn Phillips, advertising sales/business manager, at shawnp@thenotebook.org.

Website Assistant:
The website assistant will gain experience in the fields of independent journalism, multimedia, non-profit management, and educational activism. The website assistant will work with staff members to maintain and update the Notebook website: www.thenotebook.org. Projects will include expanding our online archives and assisting with production of a monthly e-newsletter. The website assistant will have the opportunity to contribute original content and design concepts.

Qualifications: Applicant should possess strong communications skills and an interest in community-oriented, advocacy journalism. Experience with web design is required, with Dreamweaver MX is preferred. While hours are flexible, applicants must have some availability during normal weekday business hours.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to:
Shawn Phillips, advertising sales/business manager, at shawnp@thenotebook.org.


Staff Writer:

The staff writer will gain experience as a reporter covering issues facing the Philadelphia public school system. The staff writer will develop several articles for print editions and website. Tasks include conducting interviews, attending and covering meetings and events, library research and internet research as well as writing and editing own articles and proofreading others.

Qualifications: Applicant should possess strong written communications skills and an interest in K-12 public education issues, as well as community-oriented, advocacy journalism. Journalism experience is highly desired.

Hours are flexible, but applicants must be primarily available during normal weekday business hours.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to: Wendy Harris, managing editor, at wendyh@thenotebook.org.


Editorial Assistant:

The editorial assistant will gain experience in the fields of independent journalism, multimedia, non-profit management, and educational activism. The editorial assistant will support the completion of the print editions and assist with providing coverage of events for the website. Tasks will include internet research, editing, and office work.

Qualifications: Applicant should possess strong written communications skills and an interest in K-12 public education issues, as well as community-oriented, advocacy journalism.

Hours are flexible, but applicants must be primarily available during normal weekday business hours.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to: Wendy Harris, managing editor, at wendyh@thenotebook.org.


Graphic Designer:

The graphic designer will gain experience in the fields of independent journalism, multimedia, non- profit management, and educational activism. The graphic designer would develop and implement design concepts. Possible projects include redesigning print edition content for the website, designing pages to package site content in new ways, improving overall site design, and styling new components for the site. The student would also be involved in discussions of site design and planning. If interested, the student can also assist with print design projects.

The intern must be able to develop a design concept and code it using CSS. The Notebook site uses Drupal, and projects are developed with the Adobe Creative Suite.

Qualifications: Applicant should possess strong communications skills and an interest in community- oriented, advocacy journalism. Experience with web design is required. While hours are flexible, applicants must have some availability during normal weekday business hours.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to: Shawn Phillips, advertising sales manager, at shawnp@thenotebook.org



Event/Marketing:

Each year the Notebook holds an event in June to celebrate the school year and as a fundraiser for the organization. This position would assist with the planning and execution of the event, which covers everything from publicity and advertising to ticketing and donation tracking to the nitty gritty of event planning and all of the day of details. The exact tasks this position would involve would depend on the student's interests and skills and the needs of the organization.

After the event the focus of the position would turn to marketing for the organization overall. Marketing outreach can include contacting distribution sites for newspaper, tabling at events, working with stakeholders, creating marketing materials, and other tasks.

Qualifications: Strong communications skills and computer skills, and an interest in the nonprofit sector and community-oriented, advocacy journalism. A high degree of attention to detail is required. Most hours must be worked during the normal business day.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to: Tim Cravens, development director, at timc@thenotebook.org.


Development Assistant:

The Development Assistant will help with all aspects of the fundraising process:

• Production and mailing of appeals
• Acknowledgment of donations
• Planning and implementation of events
• Solicitation of corporate sponsorships
• Planning and implementation of June event
• Staffing of June event and all other special events.

Qualifications: Applicants should have strong communications skills and computer skills, and an interest in the nonprofit sector and community-oriented, advocacy journalism. A high degree of attention to detail is required. Most hours must be worked during the normal business day, except for events that may occur on evenings and weekends.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to: Tim Cravens, development director, at timc@thenotebook.org.



Thursday, October 31, 2013

ENG 4001 / Spring 2014

Dr. Jill Karn, who took over Dr. Kirschke’s two American literature courses this fall, will also be teaching the spring American literature course for which Dr. Kirschke was scheduled: English 4001 (Major American Writers I).

We are lucky to have such a highly qualified professor as Dr. Karn, who is a published scholar (her specialty is American literature) with extensive teaching experience.
Major American Writer Ralph Waldo Emerson

BRIDGE Society

You're invited to the BRIDGE Society "All Industry" Mentoring & Networking Event on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the Garey Hall Cafe. Meet alumni and professionals from across industries. Talk to them about networking, interviewing, interning successfully, and, of course, obtaining full-time positions. Hear their advice on all of the professional development questions that you have! Find out what our alumni studied, where they interned, how they obtained their jobs, what they enjoy about their work, and more. Walk away with insight about your future and a list of potential mentors to assist you. Understand the value of the Villanova network and your LAS degree.

*Alumni and professionals from GlaxoSmithKline, Vanguard, Bank of America, Turner Broadcasting, City Year, DuPont, Bloomberg, American Express, QVC, Devereux, and more will be attending.


RSVP Required: https://sp.artsci.villanova.edu/ous/Lists/BRIDGE%20Events/NewForm.aspx
Space is limited! RSVP early!

Dress: Business dress required. (After you register, you will receive an email regarding appropriate dress for this event.) We will not be reviewing resumes at this event.
Questions: aslp@villanova.edu

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Registration Information

From Prof. Radcliffe:
As the time to register approaches, I wanted to let you know about some things and remind you of some others.

1)  The booklet of English courses, with full descriptions, is available on our main English page (click here).   You will also be able to find individual course descriptions by clicking on the Syllabus Available link which is below each course number in Novasis (you can also reach them via the syllabus link in Schedulr).  English requirements are described here.

2)  Be aware that you are supposed to take English 2250, Ways of Reading, before your senior year: it is the course that fulfills the college’s Junior Research Requirement.

3)  English 2101, The British Literary Tradition I, is not a required course for English majors, but we recommend that you take it, and take it early, since it will introduce you to writers, texts, and issues that are crucial to most subsequent courses.

4)  As you may know, there is “A Guide to Advising for English Majors,” which is available here.  It includes a wealth of information (it applies to all classes even if its title on the web says “Class of 2014 and earlier”).
5)  I hope you’ve checked in with your advisor or have set up an appointment.  If you haven’t, you run the risk of missing your registration time because you don’t have your PIN (normally we don’t give out PIN numbers to students who haven’t talked to an advisor) or of ending up with courses that aren’t the right ones for you.

6)  To try to avoid any problems, it makes sense to test your semester PIN number ahead of time (which also enables you to find out whether there are any holds that would prevent you from registering).
Whether you register from myNova or directly from Novasis, what you do is to click on the Login to Register link, even it’s before the time when you’re supposed to register, and enter your PIN.  If you have the wrong PIN, you’ll get an Authorization Failure message, and you should check your number with your advisor.  But if you have the correct PIN, you’ll see your registration time come up, and it’s all good.  The Registrar’s office has created a short video about registration, which also includes a section about checking for holds.  It lives here. (The segment on checking your PIN starts at about 2:10.)

7)  Your advisor can best help you if you have prepared ahead of time.  Before you see your advisor, remind yourself about your requirements, review the requirements you have already taken care of, and think about what courses you want to take next semester; you’re the one who finally is responsible for choosing the right courses for you.  Since you probably have the choice of taking some electives, think about things like what excites you and what you wish you knew more about.  Don’t be afraid to explore.

 

Friday, October 25, 2013

Valerie Miner - Friday, Nov. 8

Co-sponsored by English, Gender & Women's Studies, Global Studies!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Dr. Alice Dailey in England

From Prof. Dailey:
Over the fall break, I traveled to England to give a scholarly talk and to pursue new research.  My first stop was Christ’s College, Cambridge, where I shared my current work on corporeality and real presence with the Medieval-Renaissance Faculty Colloquium of Cambridge University.  I was treated to a wonderful tour of Christ’s College, alma mater of John Milton and Charles Darwin.  There I saw the hall where Milton lived and sat in the beautiful room in which senior fellows of the college, like Darwin, have for centuries drunk wine, talked, made friendly wagers, and kept hand-written accounts of their consumption.  These bound ledgers, some including Darwin’s hand writing, are still stored in the room and brought out for nightly record-keeping.

Dr. Dailey in front of Fellows' Hall, where John Milton lived when he was a student at Christ's College, Cambridge.
The ledger of the Senior Combination Room, Christ's College, Cambridge.  A wager between Charles Darwin and a Mr. Baines is noted on February 23, 1837.  The two men bet a bottle of wine over the height of the room's ceiling, and Darwin lost.  His name was crossed out when he settled the bet.
After my time in Cambridge, I spent three days in London studying Michael Landy’s Saints Alive, an exhibit of contemporary collage and sculpture at the National Gallery of Art.  The exhibit features 14-foot-tall automata of well-known Christian saints and martyrs that Landy has constructed from old machinery and from body parts copied out of the National Gallery's vast collection of Renaissance religious paintings.  When set into motion, these mechanized sculptures enact their own persecutions repeatedly, some of them gradually deteriorating as the exhibit has progressed.  Landy’s sculptures are complimented by a stunning group of collages that reconfigure heads, hands, wounds, and weapons out of saint and martyr art into fantastical contraptions of penitential suffering.  My favorite piece in Saints Alive was a large pencil and paper drawing called Saint Catherine Wheels found dumped outside the National Gallery, drawn from a collage of the Gallery’s 36 partial images of Saint Catherine’s emblem, a spiked torture wheel.
Michael Landy, Saint Catherine Wheels found dumped outside the National Gallery (2013).  Pencil on paper.  National Gallery of Art, London.
Michael Landy, Saint Jerome Beats himself while contemplating Christ's Suffering (2012).  Photographic paper and watercolor pencil on paper.  National Gallery of Art, London.
My trip concluded with two other exhibits.  I saw the life-sized wax and wood funeral effigies of English monarchs collected in the Westminster Abbey museum.  The effigies date from the 14th to the 18th century and include both the original 1603 effigy of Queen Elizabeth I and the ornate wax remake dating from 1760.   Lastly, I visited the recently opened exhibit on Elizabeth I and Her People at the National Portrait Gallery, which features royal portraits; Elizabethan coins, jewelry, and artifacts; and paintings of aristocrats and subjects from Sir Walter Raleigh to John Donne.  The exhibit included three fascinating portraits that my Elizabethan Literature students have studied this semester: the full-length Ditchley Portrait, the Ermine Portrait, and the Procession Portrait.
Funeral effigies of Queen Elizabeth I, 1603 (left) and 1760 (right).  Westminster Abbey Museum.



Monday, October 21, 2013

Job Possibility

The Communications office of the College of Engineering is looking for a paid Communications Assistant.  See the information below about the job and how to apply.

Engineering
Communications Assistant
Positions Available: 1
Wage: $7.55
Hours/Week: 10
Description: Research, proof-reading publications & external communications; smaller writing assignments for web site, social media outlets, or e-newsletter. Fact-checking/make edits to stories; photography organization.
Requirements: Based on specific nature of tasks assigned, this position may be a good fit for a student pursuing studies in communication, English, journalism or a related field. Interested candidates should send their resume and a writing sample via email. (Kimberly.shimer@villanova.edu)
Contact: Kim Shimer, CEER, x94607


Department Reception - Friday, October 25


Internship with Penumbra Literary

Penumbra Literary LLC, a literary agency, is looking for English majors for internships.  Gain hands-on editorial experience. Work one-on-one with literary agents to field queries, evaluate manuscripts, work on book proposals, marketing strategy, and grow and maintain social media presence (Twitter, Facebook, blogging). You will receive consistent feedback and do substantive work.  For details about the internship, click here.


Remember that to receive credit for an internship, you must apply at our Internship Office: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/undergrad/ous/internship.html.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Dr. Lauren Shohet essay on Christopher Cook

Dr. Lauren Shohet's reflective essay "The Unruly Pearl" is included in the catalogue for the show "Christopher Cook: A Sign of Things To Come," on exhibit at the Ryan Lee Gallery in Chelsea (527 W. 26th St) Oct 10-Nov 16. This English artist currently works mostly in graphite, a medium he describes as between painting and drawing. Dr. Shohet's essay considers relationships between Cook's work and the Baroque.

Cook, Paradigm Shift
Cook, At the Opera

Monday, October 7, 2013

"Modern British Novel" at the Barnes

Prof. Megan Quigley's "Modern British Novel" courses visited the Barnes Foundation at its new location downtown in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 4th.  Seeing works by Matisse, Picasso, Soutine, Modigliani and many others helped to bring home the parallel stylistic experimentalism in fiction in the early twentieth-century.  What a great resource nearby!
Prof. Quigley's students at the Barnes

Literary Fiction and Enhanced Social Skills

After reading literary fiction (as opposed to popular fiction or serious nonfiction), people "performed better on tests measuring empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence."  Researchers say "the reason is that literary fiction often leaves more to the imagination, encouraging readers to make inferences about characters and be sensitive to emotional nuance and complexity." Click here to read more about the study.
One of the pieces of "literary fiction" cited in the study