Before considering graduate school, and definitely before applying, one should know that it is extremely different from the undergraduate system. Those few students who researched the book and author for undergraduate class discussions are no longer a few in number. It is the norm for everyone, and one is expected to do that researching. It is no longer optional. Another thing that might not have occurred is the sheer amount of teaching theory and conversations that take place about teaching. What is it like, what are the different ways to approach teaching, and how is teaching different at a teaching institution versus a research institution are a few of the conversations you will have. One is exposed to a great deal more of the "insights" into higher education and this information is something to be collected.
Most students in an M.A. program hope to teach. It makes sense that one would want to know everything he or she can about teaching in higher education. There are hundreds of sites that can help, some are free and others one must pay for. Many have graduate student rates that are much cheaper and easier to obtain. Joining these institutions, websites, email lists, and discussions will only open one's mind to what teaching is really like: the struggles, the soul crushing despair, the loss of hope for tenured positions, and the love these long-time professors share with anyone willing to read is invaluable. Why not join in the academic discussions, discover ones colleagues, what they have to say, and how to manage a way through academia to a tenured position with benefits and the ability to pay off student loan debt. The following are some websites for general interest:
Remember, all the sites that require payment (membership) will most likely have publications you can submit papers to. This membership also allows you to claim it on your resume. How are you going to get a teaching job if you are not part of the larger discussion? Memberships to these and many more pedagogical sources can only bolster your knowledge and chances at a job. All of these resources have Twitter accounts. I would suggest following them and getting updates. It keeps you up to date with what is going on in academia, something that requires work and dedication; teaching techniques, classroom ideas, and teaching theory does not just come to you in your sleep. Stay in touch with those in academia because they are the ones who make the rules, who push the boundaries of those rules, and who knows, you might just be the one who comes up with a new technique and you will add to the academe.
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Have you taken the required course ENG 401, yet? Literary Theory and Criticism is one of the most important classes you will ever take as an English major or minor. One might think this course is just another requirement for the major and one can breeze through it with minor work in the class. This is not so. Literary Criticism is the essence the English major. All the learning one does in survey courses is based in literary criticism and theory. The professors teach students how to analyze literature through the many lenses of criticism. The papers one writes, the research one commences, is all steeped in Literary Criticism.
Literary Criticism is confusing at times, but with practice and study, one can easily come to understand the nuances and rules of each theory. Psychological, Feminism, Marxist theory, Eco-criticism, Postcolonialism, Formalism, Structuralism, and Narratology are just a few ways to approach a text. One can use psychological criticism to read a text and understand why characters act the way they do and what their innermost secrets are, not only because authors write their characters so completely it is conceivable to do this, but because psychological criticism allows readers to understand more about the human condition. Each theory is a way to unlock a text, to view it's innermost ideas, structures, and to find a path into the author's mind when creating the text. A book about ordinary people--a common theme in American literature--can not only show us the mindset of people at the time and the world's maturity, but the forces from the world that are forced on characters living such ordinary lives. Modern readers are allowed to see how ordinary they are and how generations before us thought the same thoughts, felt the same feelings, and pined over a lost love or a past age (the "Golden Age" perhaps). Literary theory and criticism will keep coming up for the continuing academic. Graduate school is based on it, Ph.D. schools are steeped in it. One will likely study under the brilliant modern minds of a specific literary theory as a Ph.D student. Do not take for granted this class, and the theory one learns from it. There will come weeks when some theories will bore everyone to droopy eyes and sleepy stares, but the theories are all important. The discussions students have in class like American Lit survey, World Lit Survey, and British Lit Survey, aware or not, are based in literary theory. There are so many theories with so many rules and many ways to apply them, find the one that intrigues you the most. One you won't get tired of after a 15-20 page paper. Push yourself to delve into more than one theory throughout your undergraduate and graduate careers, become an expert in a few of them, and you will never be without something to say. You already read so many books for classes. You might carry 18 units, a job, and be in a club or activity, so why should you add one more thing to your burgeoning schedule? Because the book club is a place where anyone who loves reading and books can come and find others who love books and reading. Finding camaraderie is important to the sense of belonging on campus, but let me list the professors who attended the book club on Wednesday, September 10: Dr. Veltman, Professor Isaacs, Tronti, Renfro, Bruinius-Alspach, and Dr. Newton. That is six professors in one room, at one time, with your attention. How many times does that happen in college? How many times have you tried to foster relationships with professors and failed? Maybe shyness and quietness in class are inhibiting your networking abilities. Maybe you have goo intentions and life gets in the way.
The Book Club really is an amazing place. These professors who have devoted their lives to education, books, literary criticism, critical thinking, and reading; professors who are among the leaders in their field, are impressive publishers and journal article writers, who have life experience we cannot fathom, are all sitting in a room waiting for students to talk about books. The Book Club provides the perfect place to spend time with these greats. I attended the Book Club on Wednesday and during the discussion, I looked around the room, saw the four students in attendance, the six professors, and could not believe I had the opportunity to sit with people who could be my colleagues, and watch them talk about two short stories with almost no preparation. To sit in a room with great minds discussing literature is an awesome sight. It is something that you cannot get in class. Class is devoted to student learning, to making sure students are learning and understanding something pivotal about a time period or a specific author. While that is important and exciting, try an atmosphere where there is no expectation of imparting knowledge on a student, no course objectives, no agenda. We are all there to discuss these stories, how they made us feel, what we loved about them: the writing, the lyrical nature, the profound message they have left with our soul. And you get glimpses into the professors hearts, minds, and souls because they too feel what we feel, see what we see, analyze what we analyze. After all, they taught us how. So why not try out the Book Club, why not add one more story to your reading list and homework stack, why not take a chance and spend some uninterrupted time with a large portion of the English Department? For days, times, and short story URLs, visit our 2014 page. Sigma Tau Delta is offering scholarships in various amounts from $2,500-$4,000. As a student of CBU, that's a lot of money you won't have to pay next year. I mean, let's face it, we all joined Sigma Tau for the possibility of scholarship money. So go apply and get nominated. We could all use a little extra help and what a better way than to be award money for being an English Major?
Scholarships are available for undergraduates and graduate students currently enrolled and planning on being enrolled next Fall. Do not let this opportunity pass you by because there are steps involved! The officers and advisors are here to help you, so email one of the advisors (emails found on the contact page) or email our gmail account at [email protected]. The deadline for applications is November 10, 2014 and you MUST create an account on the STARS site to submit an application. It is pretty easy, to do and does not take up too much time. From Sigma Tau's newsletter, "Sigma Tau Delta uses STARS (Scholarship Tracking and Review System) to simplify and streamline the online submission process for scholarships and academic awards. STARS also alerts students to all application opportunities available to them, increasing their chances of receiving funding." The following link allows you to see what scholarships are available and who is eligible. A few scholarships that are available are: Senior scholarships, Junior scholarships, a Distinguished Student scholarship, a Part-Time student scholarship, a study-aborad scholarship, graduate scholarships, and scholarly paper scholarships. Keep in mind you do need to be nominated for these scholarships and you are required to have recommendations from professors. Be sure to apply for these scholarships, FREE MONEY GUYS. Don't let this opportunity pass you up! |
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Cal Baptist Archives
May 2015
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