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.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Rutgers English Diversity Institute

The Rutgers English Diversity Institute (REDI) is a one-week summer program at the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University. REDI is designed for advanced college students and recent graduates whose cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds may contribute to diversity in the  fields of English and American literary studies. The purpose of REDI is to encourage students to attend graduate school and to pursue careers as teachers and scholars in the field.  At REDI, students will learn about traditional and nontraditional subfields and critical approaches in English and American literary studies from Rutgers University faculty. REDI activities will include seminars, lectures, workshops on applying for graduate school and on digital resources in literary studies, a trip to a research library, and a cultural excursion to New York City.

Up to fifteen students, chosen from a national pool of applicants,will each receive a $500 stipend for participating in the program.  Application Deadline = March 1, 2018.  Apply online at redi.rutgers.edu.


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Technical Writing Internship

Think about a summer internship opportunity in technical writing.  Rocket Software is an IT infrastructure company headquartered outside of Boston, and two Villanova parents work in senior leadership roles within the company.  Technical writing is a quickly expanding field that can be a great entry point into the tech industry.


Monday, December 18, 2017

Prof. Alan Drew: Top Mysteries of 2017

The Wall Street Journal has named Prof. Alan Drew's novel Shadow Man one of the top mysteries of 2017.  "This gripping Southern California thriller," the review notes, "follows a hunt for a serial-killer who, through the creative use of the region's infamous freeways, identifies his victims and then escapes from the scenes of his crimes."  Congratulations to Alan!

Prof. Alan Drew

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Monica Krup: James Joyce Calligraphy

English major Monica Krup's Joyce-inspired calligraphy project. The flowers are the last lines of the novel and the vines “yes I said yes I will yes.”  Monica was a student this semester in Dr. Megan Quigley's Joyce seminar.

Dr. Megan Quigley's English 1975 Class

Students from Dr. Megan Quigley’s English 1975 on Journals, Diaries, and Blogs shared what they’d learned from keeping a 25-page journal all semester, while also celebrating the holiday season.  Our one group take-away: Keep writing!  Keeps you healthy, witty, socially and politically astute, and ready to think through the challenges that life throws your way!

Monday, December 4, 2017

2018 ETS English Language Learning Summer Institute: Paid Internships Available

The English Language Learning (ELL) group in the Assessment Development division of Educational Testing Service (ETS) expects to hire approximately 35 interns for the summer of 2018.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
ELL summer interns will produce materials for use on large-scale, high-stakes standardized tests of English language proficiency. Each intern will work on one of the following:
--TOEFL iBT® Test.  The TOEFL iBT test is taken by nonnative speakers of English who are planning to apply to a college or university in an English-speaking country.
--TOEIC® Tests.  The TOEIC tests are taken principally by people who need to communicate with both native and nonnative speakers of English in the context of the global workplace.

The test development work is intellectually challenging and rewarding. The work may include:
--writing items that test knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension
--identifying academic texts which are suitable for testing reading comprehension
--creating conversations and talks that test listening comprehension
--developing scenarios and prompts that allow candidates to demonstrate their speaking or writing skills

PROGRAM DETAILS:
The program runs from July 9 through August 17 (6 weeks) for all test sections except TOEFL Reading. For TOEFL Reading, the program runs from June 25 through August 17 (8 weeks)*. Interns are expected to work 8:30–5:00, Monday through Friday, for the whole program, and will receive attractive compensation. All work is conducted at the ETS Rosedale campus in Princeton, New Jersey. Interns must provide or arrange their own housing and transportation.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
The TOEFL iBT test and the TOEIC tests are global measures, so ETS actively seeks candidates who can bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the work. The ELL summer internship workforce includes people from a variety of backgrounds, such as undergraduate students, graduate students, teachers, professors, and professional writers. Applicants must have completed at least some undergraduate work in order to be considered.

All interns must have appropriate authorization to work in the United States. If you do not currently have U.S. work authorization, please note: Some candidates who receive an internship offer may be able to apply for a CPT or an OPT work authorization visa if enrolled at a U.S. university. Check with your university’s international student services office or program coordinator for eligibility before applying to the ELL Summer Institute. CPT visas can usually be acquired quickly, while OPT visas typically take longer. Candidates who receive an internship offer and who need a CPT or an OPT visa should apply for one of these visas immediately upon accepting our offer.

Interns must have a very high degree of fluency in English but do not need to be native speakers. Additionally, interns must have excellent writing skills. The work requires verbal precision and sensitivity to nuance, analytic skill, attention to detail, and receptiveness to instruction. Interns must be able to work well individually and collaboratively, carefully consider constructive feedback, and manage their time effectively to meet targets.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Each of the test sections hiring for the summer is associated with a specific work sample. You will need to complete and submit a separate work sample for each test section for which you would like to be considered. Directions for completing and submitting your work sample(s), along with a cover letter and résumé, will be posted on the ELL Summer Institute Web site beginning Friday, December 1, 2017.

Applications are due Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Applicants are selected mainly on the basis of their performance on the work samples. Work samples will be evaluated in February and March, and you will be notified of your status by Friday, March 16. For questions, please contact Recruiting Consultant Monica Hopkins at mhopkins@ets.org.


SCHEDULE OVERVIEW:
December 1, 2017:  Application process opens
January 31, 2018:  Application deadline
March 16, 2018:  Applicants notified of decisions
June 25, 2018:  First day of the ELL Summer Institute for TOEFL Reading
July 9, 2018:  First day of the ELL Summer Institute for all other test sections
August 17, 2018:  Last day of the ELL Summer Institute
* Day off on July 4 for the holiday

Monday, November 20, 2017

Georgetown English MA


Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program

Overview
The Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program provides specialized training in the curatorial field for students across the United States from diverse backgrounds. The program aims to make a critical impact on American art museums by expanding the diversity of their curatorial staff and developing gifted curators who are committed to engaging with the full spectrum of museum audiences. The program is organized around two components for which candidates must apply:

1. Summer Academy: Summer Academies, to be held at each of the six partner museums, are one-week immersion programs designed to provide a rich experience in the museum environment and expose the participants to career options related to art and art history, with an emphasis on the curatorial field. Each Summer Academy includes workshops, tours, field trips, and networking events with museum professionals. Fifteen students will be selected to participate in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s 2018 Summer Academy during the week of June 17–24. At the end of each Summer Academy, participants are invited to apply for the Fellowship Program.
2. Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program: Two fellows will be selected following each Summer Academy. Fellows participate in the Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program throughout their undergraduate career with the goal of entering into a graduate program. The two-year fellowships provide students with hands-on experience inside a museum setting, working with curators and staff on exhibitions, collections, and programs. Fellows are matched with a museum mentor/curator who works to enrich the academic experience and broaden the fellow’s understanding of art and art history. Fellowships are part-time during the academic school year and full-time during the summer at a partner museum. Fellows receive a yearly stipend of $10,000.


Background
In July 2015, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation joined with the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) to announce the results of the first comprehensive survey assessing the ethnic and gender diversity of the staffs of art museums across the United States. Among museum curators, conservators, educators, and leaders, only four percent are African American and just three percent Hispanic. The published report, Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey, addresses the pilot phase of this program in more detail (see https://mellon.org/programs/arts-and-cultural-heritage/art-history-conservation-museums/demographic-survey/ ).

Partner Museums
The program is being implemented at six partnering institutions. Each museum holds a world-class, encyclopedic collection that represents the broad range of artistic production across history and around the globe.
1. Art Institute of Chicago
2. High Museum of Art, Atlanta
3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
4. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
5. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City
6. Philadelphia Museum of Art

Eligibility Requirements
The program is intended specifically for undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups in the curatorial field and who, if selected as a fellow, can commit to two years in the program prior to graduating. Applicants should express an interest in art, art history, or the museum field. In addition to having a strong academic record, applicants should be able to demonstrate, through areas of study, extracurricular activities, background, or other experiences, how they will contribute to the program. Applications for the 2018 Summer Academy are due by Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Webpage
www.philamuseum.org/MellonUndergrad

Philadelphia Museum of Art Staff Contact
Teyona Jackson
Coordinator of Mellon Undergraduate Fellows and Delphi Project Foundation Programs
MellonUndergrad@philamuseum.org

This initiative is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

NYU Summer Publishing Institute

The NYU School of Professional Studies Center for Publishing: Digital and Print Media is pleased to invite you to participate in an online information session about the Summer Publishing Institute, an immersive program for students who are graduating this May, rising college seniors, and young professionals who are interested in careers in digital and print media.

Summer Publishing Institute (SPI) Online Information Session November 16, 2017 7:00 PM ET Online Event

Join us online to learn more about our six-week summer program (June 4 - July 13, 2018), developed specifically for recent college graduates who are interested in careers in books and digital/magazine media. SPI, now entering its 40th year, annually features more than 150 leading industry executives who serve as faculty members and speakers. Students attend lectures and workshops that explore key publishing issues; visit some of the top book and digital/magazine media headquarters; and participate in a career fair. SPI awards six graduate credits to those who successfully complete the program. These credits may be applied to the MS in Publishing: Digital and Print Media, or to an advanced degree at another institution of higher education where the credits are deemed appropriate. Students may choose to apply to and attend both programs and enter the graduate program with six credits of advanced standing.

Click here to RSVP.  Once you RSVP, you will receive a confirmation email with a link that can be used to participate in the online information sessions.




Friday, November 10, 2017

Prof. Alan Drew Reading

Prof. Alan Drew read selections from his recent novel Shadow Man on Nov. 9 in Falvey Library.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Ways of Reading: A Night at the Theatre

Students from this semester's "Ways of Reading" class have been studying Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel this week and attended Villanova Theatre's production of the play last night.  The play was enthusiastically received by the class.  "It captures the time period really well," observed Lindsey Pohl.  Annie Melbert praised "the way the stage was set," and Maddie Dyer called the acting "eerily perfect."





Friday, November 3, 2017

English Thesis Boot Camp #1

Valiant English / Honors Thesis writers tackle their first session of boot camp and learn about Zotero and other library resources with Dr. Megan Quigley and Sarah Wingo, Falvey Library's English subject librarian.  The theses are still in the brainstorming and detective work stage.  Stay tuned to see what the researchers discover!



Prof. Alan Drew Reading


Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Ways of Reading + Bookmark

Prof. Michael Berthold's "Ways of Reading" class with the new English bookmark!

Friday, October 27, 2017

Part-Time Job Opportunity at Crimson Review

A part-time job opportunity as an administrative assistant is available with Crimson Review, a standardized test prep company based in Wayne, Pa.

This is a flexible, part-time position (5-10 hours / week) involving basic office administrative tasks.  Responsibilities will include exam grading, light data entry, and organizational tasks. It is not a difficult job.  Hours are completely flexible except for 2-3 required hours on Sundays or Mondays. Most of the work will need to be done at the Crimson Review office adjacent to the Wayne train station.

Interested students should contact Craig Miller, Director of Operations, at ‭610-688-6441 or director@crimsonreview.com.






Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Ang Malenda's Summer Internship

Junior English major Ang Malenda had a revelatory summer internship experience.  Her narrative follows.

This past summer I had an internship at a non-profit, human services organization in New Jersey. My position title was “Photography & Communication” Director, which included a range of tasks that involved public relations, advertising, marketing and, of course, communications. Despite the varying assignments given to me, I found that nearly all of them were successfully completed with the help of my English background – even if it’s not a typical department title! I had a range of tasks that included writing weekly newsletters, brochures, operating social media, developing strategic communication plans and event planning. A task as simple as running a popular social media page had links to my English learning: writing a caption is a lot like writing a thesis. When social users scroll through Facebook or Instagram, they often need a captivating and informative caption that is short, otherwise they’ll continue scrolling. When it comes to writing target-marketed brochures and newsletters, I thought back to writing for all my (fabulous) English Department professors. Every professor has a unique objective that helped me build a different voice, which is definitely important when writing for vastly different audiences for the same organization. While it may not be in the title, being an English major positively impacted my summer internship experience.

Perhaps the most influential moment for me during my internship was when my boss, a Business Administration major in college, approached me at work one day. While I was worried I had posted a picture of my acai bowl on the organization’s Instagram by accident – rest assured, I hadn’t – she wanted to discuss some ideas she had for the company. Full of ideas, my boss struggled with putting all her thoughts into words to be presented to the board; luckily, I was there to help her and together we wrote up an entire proposal. Rest assured, I never felt more certain of my English major as I sat with my nonprofit boss, a business major, and helped her run an organization. After my experience this summer I feel almost ready to graduate college and enter the world of employment--almost, not until another National Championship, of course!

Ang Malenda


Monday, October 23, 2017

English Expedition Club Encounters Dracula

Beware.  Students from Professor Megan Quigley’s 1975 class and the English Expedition Club hit the Rosenbach Museum and Library on Saturday Oct. 22nd to take in the Frankenstein & Dracula exhibit and for a hands-on tour of Dracula materials with curator Ed Pettit.  Did you know that Bram Stoker originally intended to call Dracula just count Vampyre?  And that plenty believed at the time that vampires roamed the earth?  Let’s hope they were wrong….




Saturday, October 21, 2017

Majors Fair 2017

Kyra Kruger and Olivia Sigmund.  Olivia designed the poster.

Elias Papakostas conferring with a potential major.
Blaire Bernstein, Caroline Seymour, Elias Papakostas, Meg Carter.

Fall Reception 2017

Caroline Rini, Olivia Sigmund, Kaitlyn Mitchell and Elizabeth Eby with the new English bookmark.  Kaitlyn also spoke at the reception about her summer internship.

Lunch and conversation!


Prof. Jenny Joyce and Nora Manosca.


Sarah Wingo (English Liaison Librarian), new English professor Yumi Lee and Prof. Mary Mullen.


Prize winners!

Poet Dean Rader at Villanova

Poet Dean Rader visited Villanova this week and read from his new collection of poems, Self-Portrait as a Wikipedia Entry (Copper Canyon, 2017).  He has won numerous awards for his writing, including the 2016 Common Good Books Prize, judged by Garrison Keillor, and the 2015 George Bogin Award from the Poetry Society of America.



Monday, October 16, 2017

English Expedition Club: Frankenstein & Dracula Exhibit at the Rosenbach

When: Saturday October 21 at 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Rosenbach Museum and Library
Why: Blood, Guts, Gore and Modern Science meet Literature

Details:
Join the English Expedition Club for a timely exhibit in this month of ghosts and ghouls on Dracula and Frankenstein at the Rosenbach Library, near Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square.  At 12:00 Curator Edward Pettit will meet with Villanova students to show pages of the Dracula manuscript and discuss the history of this great collection in Philadelphia.  Space is limited for the hands-on tour.  Please email Professor Quigley (megan.quigley@villanova.edu) by Wednesday 12/18 if you’d like to join the hands-on tour.  We will also tour the Frankenstein & Dracula Exhibit between 12-2!  No need to RSVP for the exhibit.  The cost of admission is covered by the English Department.  I look forward to seeing you!

Address:
Rosenbach Museum & Library
2008-2010 DeLancey Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
DeLancey Place is located between Pine & Spruce Streets, in Philadelphia's historic Rittenhouse Square
district.

Directions:
Public Transportation:
SEPTA
- Regional Rail to Suburban Station, 16th & Market

(if desired, then: - Route 17 Bus via 19th & 20th Streets)
SEPTA
There is a 10:47 train that arrives in Suburban Station at 11:21
There is a 11:17 train that arrives in Suburban Station at 11:50
There is a 12:17 train that arrives in Suburban Station at 12:50
There is a 12:47 train that arrives in Suburban Station at 1:21

It is approximately a ten minute (FAST) walk from Suburban station to the Rosenbach. I highly recommend taking the earlier train to make it to the library on time.

Driving:
When available, street parking is free for two hours.  There are several parking garages located on 20th Street a few blocks north, near Walnut Street and Chestnut Street.  I find parking there very difficult.  If you decide to drive, leave time for parking and traffic.



Friday, October 13, 2017

Prof. Cathy Staples: Review of Orion on the Dunes

English professor Cathy Staples recently published a review of Daniel G. Payne's Orion on the Dunes:  A Biography of Henry Boston in The Massachusetts Review.  You can read the review here.


Friday, October 6, 2017

Greetings from Recent Graduate Sydney Czech

A message from recent Villanova graduate and English major Sydney Czech (class of 2017)!

Hello, fellow Literary Wildcats,
I just started at Penguin Random House as a Library Marketing Assistant a little over a week ago. Here at PRH, they have rows and rows of “Take” shelves where you literally can just take books home with you, even some that aren’t officially published yet! As I was browsing through the take shelves, I happened upon Professor Drew’s Shadow Man and got so excited. I brought the book back to my desk and shared with my team how awesome it was to have a Villanova professor published here! Although I never had Professor Drew, I have always heard great things about him and I'm super excited to start reading his book. So, overall, not only is it great to have a little piece of Villanova with me here in New York, it’s also a remembrance of all the great professors that I had at Villanova that got me to where I am today.


Thursday, October 5, 2017

Prufrock!

Junior English major Alex Forgione was part of last night's Prufrock event.  She reports:
The event had a great turn out and it was a lot of fun! After we read the poem aloud, professors  Javadizadeh and Quigley shared some fascinating background information about the poem and T. S. Eliot. Then, we broke up into groups and discussed specifics about the poem. All of our conversations were very productive and insightful;  hopefully we inspired some people to declare English as a major!