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.”

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.)

Heidi Hartmann Lecture

Maria McGarrity Lecture

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.