Students in Professor Tsering Wangmo's Intro to Memoir course recently enjoyed a dinner together at Professor Wangmo's house. The class had read the memoir Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, a work in which the narrator finds comfort in cooking Korean food associated with her mother who had passed away. Professor Wangmo followed recipes from Maangchi (Maangchi.com), as the narrator does in the memoir, to cook a few items for her students.
Everything looks delicious!
Our student advisory council will be making visits to classes in the coming weeks to talk about the English major and minor at Villanova. Here are some of the flyers they'll be showing.
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UPPER-LEVEL ENGLISH COURSES
FOR SPRING 2023
2003 Intro to Creative Writing TR 11:30-12:45, Cathy Staples
Designed for students who wish to experiment with composing several kinds of creative writing: short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry.
2005 Writing the Short Story TR 1:00-2:15, Alan Drew
In this writing workshop course, we will explore setting, point of view, characterization, plot and other craft elements that make short stories run. We will read influential authors and give feedback to one another to foster our growth as writers.
2006 Writing of Poetry MW 4:45-6:00, Lisa Sewell
Instruction in poetry writing, including how to craft imagery, figurative language, sound, line, and rhythm, as well as traditional and contemporary forms. Students read widely and write lyric, narrative and experimental poems that are shared in a supportive workshop setting.
2012 Advanced Creative Writing TR 8:30-9:45, Mary O’Donoghue
This creative writing class will take for its influence the rich, varied and changing field of Irish short fiction as it prompts us—perhaps even urges us—to our own writing practices.
2017 Writing Detective Fiction TR 2:30-3:45, Alan Drew
Do you love detective fiction? Have you always wanted to write your own "whodunit?" In this course, you'll read and analyze classic and contemporary detective fiction while working to produce, workshop, and polish your own creative work.
2020 Digital Journalism MWF 12:50-1:40, Lara Rutherford-Morrison
Introduces students to the fundamentals of journalism, with an emphasis on digital media. Class will focus on the ins and outs of digital journalism as a practice, with students gaining hands-on experience within a variety of media platforms.
2070 Legal Writing and Analysis MWF 9:35-10:25, Karen Graziano
Fundamentals of legal writing and analysis.
2250, Ways of Reading TR 11:30-12:45, Megan Quigley
An exploration of how we engage, understand, explicate, and enjoy texts of all sorts.
2360 Adaptation: Film as Lit TR 2:30-3:45, Adrienne Perry
The relationship between movies and literature dates back to film's earliest days. Comparing films and texts allows for an explanation of storytelling and the fascinating choices auteurs make. Plot, tone, and symbolism are considered alongside questions of power and representation.
2991 English Majors as Leaders 1st Session: Friday, January 20 - 1:45-4:45; 2nd Session: Sunday, January 29 - 10:00-4:30, 3rd Session: Friday, March 24 - 1:45 – 4:45:, Karen Graziano
Communicating and applying skills of English Majors in the workplace.
2994 Reading and Community M 6:15-7:30 for first 10 weeks of the semester, Mary Mullen
Studying the kind of reading that takes place outside of the classroom in book groups and community reads, this course practices reading in community while studying hot new books selected by students in the course.
3001 Foundational Lit I MW 3:20-4:35, Lauren Shohet
Influential British literature from beginnings to 1750, tracing key ideas, power relations, and genres that still impact literature in English, and Anglophone culture, today. Relationships between writing and political change, media history, gender, spirituality, the environment, oppression and liberation.
3250 Shakespeare TR 10:00-11:15, Alice Dailey
This course studies the plays and/or poems of Shakespeare. It may be focused on a particular genre of Shakespeare's work, a period in his career, or a topic. The course seeks to develop students' appreciation of Shakespeare's artistry and relevance.
3428 British Novel in the Romantic Period TR 2:30-3:45, Joseph Drury
Tracing the expansion in the scope and popularity of the novel as a literary form, we will consider how the major political developments of the Romantic period including the French Revolution and the abolition of the slave trade, shaped its central themes of transgression, violence, and the precariousness of social order.
3500 Foundational Lit II MWF 10:40-11:30, Evan Radcliffe
Influential British and Irish literature since about 1800 (covering the period after ENG 3001), exploring key ideas, power relations, and genres that still shape literature in English today. Topics include political change, gender, artist and audience, and the environment.
3622 Virginia Woolf TR 4:00-5:15, Megan Quigley
Virginia Woolf, novelist, essayist, and diarist, is one of the most influential 20th-Century Writers. Woolf explores the self, modernity, depression, and the joy of an ardent feminist life. We will read Woolf's novels and contemporary debates about form, gender, and sexuality.
3660 Contemporary Film and Lit: India TR 1:00-2:15, Tsering Wangmo
India produces some of the most innovative and engrossing literature in the world, while also releasing more films than any other nation. Through both forms, we'll explore debates in contemporary India concerning border tensions, caste, gender, fantasy, and imperial histories.
3680 20th-21st Century Irish Lit & Culture TR 11:30-12:45, Mary O’Donoghue
This course will examine 20th c. Irish-language literature, in the original language and in English translation. We will consider the long historical relationship between those two languages in light of the politics of translation.
4000 American Literary Tradition I MW 1:55-3:10, Kimberly Takahata
By studying Black, Latinx, Native, and white writers from the 1600s through 1945, this course introduces the literary history of what we now call the United States, inviting students to learn from stories and voices typically left out of more official "American" history.
4646 Race & Ethnicity: American Novel TR 4:00-5:15, Yumi Lee
Canonical texts that treat questions of race and ethnicity. Focus on the critical role of language and literature in constructing and deconstructing racial categories.
4690 Motherhood and Reproductive Fictions TR 8:30-9:45, Jean Lutes
What power do mothers have? Who has the power to define motherhood? This course examines
U.S. narratives of motherhood from the nineteenth century to the present, with special attention
to issues of reproductive justice. Race, ethnicity, class, and religion will be central to our
discussions.
4702 Authors On & Off the Page TR 4:00-5:15, Adrienne Perry, Tsering Wangmo
Do you love to write? Dream of visiting with authors to discuss their work and the publishing world? This course combines creative writing workshops with literary analysis and the chance to hob-nob with prestigious authors during the Villanova Literary Festival.
4703 American Apocalypse TR 1:00-2:15, Heather Hicks
This course surveys major contemporary novels depicting American disasters and their aftermath. We'll consider the varieties of apocalypse that are imagined -- including economic collapse, pandemic, "zombie apocalypse," and climate disruption -- in relation to gender, race, and literary form.
5000 Religion in LatinX Lit MW 1:55-3:10, Michael Dowdy
This course reads Latinx fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and trans-genre writing, from the nineteenth century to the present, that bring questions of religion and spirituality to bear, often subversively, on the social, economic, and political conditions structuring Latinx lives and cultures.
5000 What is Poetry? TR 10:00-11:15, Kamran Javadizadeh
In this course we will confront our resistance to poetry head-on, reading a wide variety of influential poems and exploring both formalist and historicist approaches to them.
Professor Joe Drury has just been published on Samuel Johnson (well, just been published in the UK; the book will be out on this side of the pond in another few months). Professor Drury contributed a chapter for The Oxford Handbook of Samuel Johnson. Here is the excerpt for Professor Drury's chapter:
"Even though Samuel Johnson paid close attention to the natural sciences, conducted chemical experiments at home, and included a large number of scientific terms in his Dictionary, he is typically thought to have made no significant contribution to Enlightenment science. This chapter challenges this view by reading Johnson’s periodical essays as important examples of 'experimental moral philosophy,' an eighteenth-century field of inquiry that sought to extend the Newtonian method from the sensible world to the study of human subjectivity. Drawing on the methods and conceptual repertoire of vitalist natural philosophy, especially chemistry, Johnson’s essays offer a qualitative, experimental account of the primary forces of the mind that emphasizes the tragic burden imposed by its restless activity."
You can find out more here!
As fall approaches (or is already here? or ought to be here yet isn't?), perhaps the time has come to refresh your wardrobe with some Villanova English merch! Please reach out to Program Coordinator Mike Malloy or stop by the English office (SAC 402) during regular business hours to purchase.
Our names are Anya Razmi and Elena Unger. We are the editors of a literary journal at Yale University which aims to publish quality work from undergraduates across the country. We are seeking submissions.
The Foundationalist accepts literary essays, poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. We would also be happy to accept anything that had been written for class. There are no page limits or themes. We simply want students to submit their best work! In the past, we have published works from across the globe; giving writers the opportunity to join a community of over 100+ other authors from 70+ universities. If selected, the author’s writing will be published on academia.edu and in print format.
The deadline is October 22nd, 2022 at midnight. More information can be found on www.thefoundationalist.com and submissions and other queries can be sent to thefoundationalist@gmail.com.
On behalf of the editorial board of The Foundationalist,
Anya Razmi and Elena Unger
The RhetTech Editorial Board would like to invite undergraduate students to submit their work to RhetTech, James Madison University’s undergraduate journal for students in the disciplines of writing, rhetoric, and/or technical communication. We publish all kinds of content in all types of media, including text-based essays, videos, podcasts, photo essays, reviews, websites, blogs, and more. Undergraduate students of all levels are eligible and encouraged to submit their work. You can learn more about RhetTech and view the most recent volume here: http://www.jmu.edu/wrtc/students/undergraduate/rhet-tech.shtml.
As we approach our 5th year, we are planning a special issue on the broad theme of “Growth, Reflection, and Change.”
RhetTech is a great opportunity for students to publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal.
Villanova's English department cares about community--whether that means discussions about literature in class, chatting about moldy mattresses and other horrors during All About the Bagels, or conversations about internships and upcoming classes at the pre-registration reception. Serving many important roles-- peer mentors, representatives of the English department, social media influencers, consultants, members of the English department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, journalists, swag designers--students on the Advisory Council do important work shaping our community. Look for them in classes and at English department events and don't be afraid to ask them about the major or share your ideas for Villanova English with them!
I am a senior English major with minors in History and Public Administration. I grew up in Washington, D.C., but most of my family lives in the Midwest (either around Michigan or in Chicago). Growing up in D.C. definitely shaped my career goals, instilling in me the importance of policy and politics in changing lives for the better. Therefore, I plan to enter the field of public policy (more specifically, education policy). After graduating, I would like to pursue my Master’s in public policy, with a focus on sustainable development. I hope to further promote equal access to quality education for all Americans and world citizens. My extracurricular activities include Blue Key Society and working as a Career Assistant at the Villanova Career Center. Last semester, I studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic - it was amazing! I love to read, especially historical fiction novels, and one of my current favorites is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr!
Hi! My name is Katie Reed, and I am a senior from Bellingham, MA double majoring in English and Communication. At Villanova, I am the news columnist for The Villanovan, a peer mentor for the COM department, and a Lorenzini Leadership Ambassador for the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership. I love reading, writing, and thinking creatively, so I am hoping to pursue a career in the editing and publishing field. I love any and every opportunity to hype up the English Department, so I am excited to be on the Student Advisory Council for another year and continue to make the department a welcoming and engaging environment. Email: kreed11@villanova.edu
Hi! My name is Jenna DeLeo and I am a senior English major with a minor in Education. As a transfer student to Villanova, I understand how overwhelming it can be to start fresh and choose a new path in life. After switching my major three times, I finally found my home in the English department. Feel free to reach out to ask me any and all questions about adjusting or even exploring a new major/minor! I hope to use my creativity and passion for writing in a future career and to fulfill my personal goals. On campus, I am a member of my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and also enjoy volunteering with local students through education service hours. Off campus, I love spending time with family and friends, spoiling my golden retriever, and reading/watching anything true crime. While I do not yet know exactly where I will end up, I look forward to potentially becoming an English teacher and working with others to help shape a brighter future. My email is jdeleo3@villanova.edu
Lauren Kourey
I am a senior English and Political Science major from the San Francisco Bay Area. On campus, I'm part of the A Capella group, Nothing But Treble, and I write for the Villanovan. I also work on campus as a Student Philanthropy Associate. This summer, I interned in the Washington D.C. area in the Marketing department for a global mobility management company. After graduation, I plan to work in politics, journalism, or publishing.
By Olivia Bassetti
Aside from fun nights with friends, tailgates before games, and much needed iced coffee from Holy Grounds, some of my most formative days at Villanova as an Environmental Science major with a Sustainability Studies minor, were spent in Mendel moving from class to lab. What I didn’t expect was just how important my time in my English classes would become as I picked up an English minor along the way.
My introduction to the English Department at Villanova took place my sophomore year when I decided to take my required core English class and chose, “Coming of Age in Ireland,” with Dr. Mullen. Throughout high school, science and literature classes were always my favorite classes and while my Villanova required Ancients and Moderns classes were good stand-ins for an English class my freshman year, I was ready to move back into true English Literature classes.
From the start of that first literature class, I felt the embrace of the English department. I enjoyed the break from the lecture-style classes my STEM courses provided and immersed myself in the engaging discussion-based style of English department classes. I also felt a bit insecure in my writing abilities as an underclassman and wanted to take classes that I knew would improve my writing skills. Additionally, I liked that these classes helped rehumanize the world in a way different from STEM classes, which can sometimes alienate the experience of the average individual person. I have always loved reading and writing so feeling early success in that first class inspired me to look up the requirements for an English minor.
When I declared the minor, I didn’t want to lose the community and exposure to great literature that my English classes provided, and a break from the monotony I occasionally felt in my STEM classes. I didn’t realize how much of an asset this English minor would become until I started my job search. Many interviewers remarked on what a great combination it was to have a STEM major who supplemented their major with a reading, writing, and interpersonal skills-based minor.
I now work in the Environmental Consulting division of a large engineering firm where the skills I learned from my English minor have been great assets. One of the best takeaways for me from my English minor was developing confidence in my writing abilities. Before getting an English minor, I suffered from imposter syndrome when I would have to write. However, now in my daily work life, I write up reports where I paint a picture of the environmental state of various sites I visit. These reports are sent to lawyers and higher-ups and there is no time to doubt my writing ability. My English minor provided me with the space to grow my reading and writing skills while reading some truly great texts. I would recommend an English minor to any STEM major to help them become a more well-rounded job candidate and to find success in their job after graduation.
The Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal is now accepting submissions for our Fall 2022 edition!
For over 10 years, the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal at UC Berkeley has been showcasing the best undergraduate research in literature and media from universities all over the world. We invite papers from those working in, around, or critically engaging with literary topics in a comparative nature, broadly construed. Multilingual submissions and/or papers regarding world literatures are encouraged, but must be written mostly in English. Possible topics include but are not limited to:
· Papers comparing at least two authors or texts
· Interdisciplinary research across disciplines within the humanities
· Research engaging with literary theory and schools of criticism
For more information and full submission guidelines, or to view past issues of CLUJ, please visit our website’s submissions page.
Deadline to submit: October 15th, 11:59 PST
Link to submit: http://tinyurl.com/clujfall22
Serve on the English Department Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. We need your voice! Student applications to the English Department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee are being accepted now through Friday, September 17th. Interested students should send a one-paragraph statement of interest to Mary Mullen, a member of the DEI committee, at mary.l.mullen@villanova.edu. You can learn more about the committee's work by clicking here and then clicking on “Diversity Statement.” If you have questions, email Dr. Mullen.
Representatives to the English Department DEI committee will serve on the Advisory Council but do not need to be English majors.
Laurel Moon, Brandeis University's oldest literary magazine, is accepting submissions for our national issue. This issue follows a simple mission: to feature the innermost voices from a group of diverse, young writers.
