Tuesday, October 27, 2009
How should writing be taught in schools?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Creative Writing Opportunity
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Pre-Professional Conference: a Review
Thursday, October 15, 2009
English Emphasis 2: Literary Studies
The Literary Studies emphasis offers students the opportunity to “Experience and appreciate literature as a reflection and an enrichment of the human condition,” according to the English department’s Web site. It may be most beneficial to students who wish to continue their studies in graduate school, and those who wish to pursue a career as a professor, literary critic, or scholar of literature.
“I love good literature and I enjoy what it can teach you about society and people,” said Matt Montoya, a junior with an emphasis in literary studies. “I want to go to grad school to continue studying English, and eventually become a professor.”
Literary studies focuses on the development of literary analysis, research and library skills, and knowledge of critical theories and major movements within literature, courses required for this emphasis include upper-level studies of critical theories and culture of literature and language. English majors emphasizing in literary studies will also be required to take an additional six credits beyond the literary classes required for all English majors. With this emphasis, students can expect to graduate with a collection of their own analytical papers focused on literature.Monday, October 12, 2009
The EAS Pre-Professional Conference
The Pre-Professional Conference took place Thursday, Oct. 8 in the Gordon B. Hinckley building. The English Academic Society put the annual conference together, which their Web site described as “the biggest event for English majors and minors …”
English majors and minors were excused from regular classes to attend the conference, which featured workshops, panel discussions and readings. The keynote speakers were successful writers Nicole Mazzarella, author of “This Heavy Silence”, and James Richardson, chair of the creative writing deparement at Princeton, who both gave readings that evening at 7 p.m. Mazarella also held a Q-and-A from 2 to 4 p.m.
Jason F. Wright, author of “Christams Jars,” was also attending at the conference.
Students were encouraged to submit works to the English department. The categories of submissions included: poetry, literary analysis of British and American literature, creative nonfiction and fiction. Students with winning submissions were given the opportunity to give a reading of their work from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Panel discussions and workshops were offered to each of the English emphases (literary studies, professional writing, creative writing and education). Some topics discussed included how to prepare for graduate school, writing poetry and novels, writing professionally and preparing to teach.
In addition, Wright attended a few English classes outside of the conference. In one advanced creative writing class, he talked about how he gets ideas for stories. Wright outlined the process of getting a manuscript published and gave some advice to students who wished to write and get published.
"The 'nos' are going to come," Wright said. "Just keep writing."
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
English Emphasis 1: Education
The education emphasis focuses on “classroom management skills and a theory of language arts instruction,” according to BYU-Idaho’s English Department Web site. It is ideal for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching or instruction within the language arts.
“I’m learning what it takes to be a good teacher, how to relate to students, to work effectively with coworkers,” Adams said. “I get to go to the middle school once a week and practice what I’m learning.”
Students will graduate with a portfolio of sample curriculum, units and lesson plans appropriate for language arts class.