Author: Keshia

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow English Department communities on social media

Important dates

Deadline to drop, CR/NCR, or elect grade replacement in a second half-session course
Friday, Nov. 10
Fall Break
Saturday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Nov. 26

upcoming ESA events
Diwali on the QUAD

Diwali on the Quad
5:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, Main Quad
Celebrate Diwali with home-cooked food, music, and the beautiful lighting of the Quad. Attendance is free with food available for purchase. 

Undergraduate research showcase
Reading and discussion with John Milas 

Saturday, November 11
4:00pm
Lewis Auditorium at Urbana Free Library 

“This is a beautiful horror story told masterfully and elegantly. It is a brilliant, different kind of war novel, one that reveals the insidious ways the violences of war can tear people apart from the inside out.”  ―Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author 

Author (and English department alumnus!) John Milas joins us for a reading and discussion featuring his highly-acclaimed novel,  The Militia House. The novel takes place in 2010 on a base in Afghanistan where Corporal Loyette and his unit are finishing up their deployment. Their days are a mix of boredom and dread until they make a brief visit to a Soviet-era barracks outside the wire that is rumored to be haunted.  In the days that follow they try to forget about the strange, unsettling sights and sounds from the house, but things are increasingly . . . not right. The Militia House is a gripping and brilliant exploration of the unceasing horrors of war that’s no more easily shaken than the militia house itself.   Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

About the Author:
John Milas served on active duty in the Marine Corps and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He later earned a BA and MFA in creative writing. He lives in Illinois, where he reads, writes, and watches baseball. The Militia House is his first novel. 

Test anxiety workshop

The Counseling Center is conducting a Test Anxiety Workshop on Monday, 11/13/23, at 3:00 PM. This is an outreach event so anyone can attend as long as they register.

Many students find taking tests, completing assignments, and/or giving presentations very stressful. At times, this stress can be counterproductive and negatively impact performance. The American Test Anxieties Association estimates between 16 and 20% of college students have high anxiety when it comes to taking tests or performing well on assignments. Fortunately, there are ways to address anxiety so that you can do your best work. During the academic year, we offer drop-in Test Anxiety Workshops. These workshops are free for students, but space is limited, so we request that you register in advance by completing a brief form for the date you want to register. 

Healing with Rhythm and Movement
explore careers in human resources
voice reading

Thursday, November 16,  7:00pm
The Literary Book Bar
122 N Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820

Featuring: 
Isabella Escamilla
Madeline Furlong
Andrea Sielicki

book sale
auditions coming up!
spring course on artificial intelligence
spring 2024 course for neurodiverse students

Is your differently-wired brain causing extra stress, frustration, and difficulty surrounding your academic work? Consider signing up for HDFS 199, Section JK (Academic Strategies) this spring. This course will use the assignments from your current classes to teach executive function strategies that will promote success this semester and throughout the rest of your academic and professional career. You will learn effective strategies to improve difficulty getting started, staying organized, remembering due dates, paying attention, planning projects, managing stress, study skills, and more. Lab time will be used to complete course assignments, build social networks, and provide a quiet study space with structured accountability. This course is for students who have or suspect they have a neurodiverse brain. Instructor approval required. Contact Dr. Jeanne Kramer (jjkramer@illinois.edu) for approval to register.

scholarship opportunity

To learn more or apply, visit:

https://go.illinois.edu/VFY

For questions regarding the scholarship criteria that are not answered on the website above, please contact Kasey Umland at umland@illinois.edu

Student Survey Participants Needed for MACS/IS/CS 265

Students in Fall 2023 MACS/IS/CS 265 are conducting an anonymous online student survey as part of their final class projects. The survey considers campus practices and policies around student digital safety, and how it impacts student life at the U of I. The survey is open until Monday, November 27, and can be found here: https://surveys.illinois.edu/sec/1814918691.

I would really appreciate it if you could send this request to your students and urge them to participate on behalf of their peers. The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes (if that) and all responses are optional.

check las career services new website

New website for LAS Career Services
Check out the new LAS Career Services website, which provides helpful resources if you’re beginning to explore options, seeking opportunities, making connections and building networks, or applying to jobs or graduate school. Even if you aren’t sure where to begin you can find support from LAS Career Services. 

writers workshop events

Don’t Forget These!

How to schedule a registration appointment

Here’s an abbreviated version of the email we recently sent out about advising processes during the registration period. If you didn’t read the email, please read this!

First-semester students (whether first years or transfers) are required to meet with us. Continuing students are not required to meet with us but we certainly recommend that you check in one way or another; email is fine for quick questions or confirmation of your plans, but longer conversations are best had in real time either in person or over zoom.

When you are ready to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30 to request an appointment (we do not schedule via email).

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to make your registration appointment more productive: 

  • Run your degree audit and see what you can make of it. Even if you find it a little confusing, try to get a sense of what requirements you have left to fulfill, and then when we do your registration appointment we can confirm (or correct) your interpretation of the audit and help explain anything that’s confusing. 
  • Think about what you want to accomplish in the spring. What major/minor/Gen Ed requirements would you like to complete, and what other areas would you like to explore?   
  • If you are thinking of adding a major or a minor, do you know what you need to do to get started? If you’ve already begun, can you figure out the next step?  You can explore major and minor requirements listed here: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
  • Consult Course Explorer and be sure to read the course descriptions in full.  Remember that if a course is called “Topics in X” then you must click through to see the individual sections and find out what topics are available. It’s also worth clicking through on any 199 (usually called Undergraduate Open Seminar) because there you may find some interesting and unusual topics being piloted, and they’re usually unrestricted. 
  • Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester.
great new spring courseS!
We need just two more focus group participants!

As part of our ongoing assessment of the undergraduate program in English, we are hoping to conduct another small focus group at some point in the coming month. Participants will be asked to talk about their general learning experience in the major and their answers, which will remain anonymous, will help us gauge and strengthen the program’s goals and learning outcomes. Students who participated in the last focus group are not eligible this time around (but we thank you once again for the feedback you gave us).  We plan to hold this meeting at lunchtime (noon to 1pm), and will provide lunch in the form of empanadas from Manolo’s!

If you are willing to help out with this, please do let us know. Just email englishadvising@illinois.edu ASAP.  

Social Group for Neurodiverse Students meets every wed!
new tutoring resource

Here’s a message from Brian Becker (academic outreach specialist at OMSA and an alum of our department!):

On behalf of the Office of Minority Student Affairs, I am thrilled to share our new partnership with NetTutor®! Through this partnership, the OMSA now provides FREE 24/7, 1:1 online tutoring across over 350+ subjects and disciplines. Each tutoring session is facilitated by professionally trained, degree-holding NetTutor staff who are committed to providing a welcoming, accessible virtual learning experience! Thanks to our integration with the NetTutor platform, students can conveniently log in using their Illinois credentials at: 

NetTutor Student Log-In: https://go.illinois.edu/OMSANetTutor

All of the information pertaining to our partnership with NetTutor, including a comprehensive User Guide, quick Log-in button, and accessibility options can be found on our dedicated OMSA Online Tutoring landing page.

critical language scholarship program

The Critical Language Scholarship, provided by the U.S. Department of State, is a fully funded, intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for undergraduate and graduate students.  A list of eligible languages is available here.

The CLS institutes cover one academic year of university-level language coursework in 8 to 10 weeks over the summer, and include cultural programming, local language partners, and excursions. Participants receive academic credit at their U.S. institutions.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age and enrolled in a degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level. For more information about this scholarship, please visit: http://www.clscholarship.org/. 

If you’d like to talk to an advisor about preparing your application, contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu

get involved with montage
new RSO

There’s a new RSO in town and it’s called Uplift! Uplift’s mission is to foster a community of pre-professional students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dedicated to collaboration, unity, and mutual support. Our RSO will serve as a hub for students of all backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an environment wherein members feel seen, heard, and empowered to pursue their goals. The RSO will provide resources for pre-professional students to prepare for their future careers and professional or graduate schools. We will also enable students to pursue their goals through study hours and access to review resources. Check out their site and sign up for email notifications if you’re interested.

apply now to be a golden apple scholar!
Prospective Secondary Education minors can apply by Dec 1 for priority acceptance.
Resource for our LGBTQIA+ Students 
Lisnek Hub

The Hub  is open again! Stop by Tuesday- Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Under the Lincoln Hall theater is the Lisnek Hub where you can chat with peer mentors.

find a workshop for you!

If you’re struggling in one or more of your STEM courses, perhaps there’s a workshop that could help. Check out the LAS Success Workshop Schedule, and be sure to click on “see more” at the bottom for the full list of options.

Tuesday@7 Workshops

Each week, undergraduate Counseling Center paraprofessionals offer interactive workshops on various topics. Please visit our website for login information and upcoming topics.

writers workshop

Writers Workshop drop-ins are available beginning 4-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 100b Main Library. These sessions are best for brainstorming, specific questions, or shorter documents (1-3 page papers, application materials, etc.). These sessions are first-come, first-serve.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Want to keep up with research-related opportunities and events hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUA)? Subscribe to OUA’s monthly newsletter and you won’t miss a thing!

You might also want to learn more about the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), particularly opportunities for undergraduates (did you know that they hire student interns and that some of them are English or creative writing majors?) in which case you should check out the Undergraduate section on the HRI website.

ACCESSIBLE COUNSELING RESOURCES

It can be hard to take the first step when you’re in need of counseling, so for ease of access the College of LAS has its own embedded counselor, Andy Novinska and you can contact him directly to schedule an appointment at anovinsk@illinois.edu.

Students can also access Counseling Center services by calling 217-333-3704 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday to set up an appointment via the same-day scheduling system. There is also an online scheduling system (please note that appointments are limited via this option so if you try to schedule online and cannot find anything that works please call the office or email Andy).

Workshops for Test Anxiety, ADHD Symptoms, Perfectionism, Body Image, etc. can be found here.

PSA–HEARD ABOUT 211?

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow English Department communities on social media

How to schedule a registration appointment

Here’s an abbreviated version of the email we recently sent out about advising processes during the registration period. If you didn’t read the email, please read this!

First-semester students (whether first years or transfers) are required to meet with us. Continuing students are not required to meet with us but we certainly recommend that you check in one way or another; email is fine for quick questions or confirmation of your plans, but longer conversations are best had in real time either in person or over zoom.

Registration starts Monday, October 30. Students are assigned a time on or after that day according to the schedule found here. Log in to Student Self-Service to view your time ticket (see “preparing for registration”). When you are ready to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30 to request an appointment (we do not schedule via email).

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to make your registration appointment more productive: 

  • Run your degree audit and see what you can make of it. Even if you find it a little confusing, try to get a sense of what requirements you have left to fulfill, and then when we do your registration appointment we can confirm (or correct) your interpretation of the audit and help explain anything that’s confusing. 
  • Think about what you want to accomplish in the spring. What major/minor/Gen Ed requirements would you like to complete, and what other areas would you like to explore?   
  • If you are thinking of adding a major or a minor, do you know what you need to do to get started? If you’ve already begun, can you figure out the next step?  You can explore major and minor requirements listed here: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
  • Consult Course Explorer and be sure to read the course descriptions in full.  Remember that if a course is called “Topics in X” then you must click through to see the individual sections and find out what topics are available. It’s also worth clicking through on any 199 (usually called Undergraduate Open Seminar) because there you may find some interesting and unusual topics being piloted, and they’re usually unrestricted. 
  • Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester.
We need just two more focus group participants!

As part of our ongoing assessment of the undergraduate program in English, we are hoping to conduct another small focus group at some point in the coming month. Participants will be asked to talk about their general learning experience in the major and their answers, which will remain anonymous, will help us gauge and strengthen the program’s goals and learning outcomes. Students who participated in the last focus group are not eligible this time around (but we thank you once again for the feedback you gave us).  We plan to hold this meeting at lunchtime (noon to 1pm), and will provide lunch in the form of empanadas from Manolo’s!

If you are willing to help out with this, please do let us know. Just email englishadvising@illinois.edu ASAP.  

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS TODAY!
CU Small press Fest EVENT TODAY!

Check out the activities coming up at the CU Small Press Fest!, but especially the experimental printing and bookbinding workshop on Friday morning (10/27). Space is limited for this and requires registration.

On Friday, 10/27 we will be holding the Small Press Soiree at the Prairie Glass House in Champaign from 6-8pm. There will be snacks, zines, and talks by Phill Kalantzis-Cope of Immaterial Books, Dominique Arnold from University High, E. Ainsley from Fresh Press Paper, and Emilee Matthews from the Ricker Library of Art & Architecture! (Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/35MGWP07N)

The main Expo Day of the fest will be held on Saturday, 10/28 from 11am-4pm at the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, IL. The show will take place in the hallway outside of the Art Coop Inc. We currently have 40+ artists and collectives (both local and from all over the Midwest) registered to exhibit and sell their work at the Expo. (Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1qypp8sv3)

And finally there is an exhibition of zines and small press publications from the collections of the organizers, the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art, and the UC-IMC Zine Library on display in the Art Coop Gallery until 10/29. No specific opening/closing reception for the show, it will be up all month and be viewable the day of the Expo.

How-to panel on English honors thesiS

The English Honors Program will be hosting a ‘how-to’ panel on preparing for and writing the 20-25-page English honors thesis featuring three of our recently gradated students: Zoe Fieweger, Abby Masucol, and Ashley Wills.  


When: Wednesday, November 1, 5:15pm-6:15pm
Where: Zoom
Meeting ID: 821 7210 2693
Password: 066034

I encourage all of you who are considering entering the English Honors Program or writing an English honors thesis at some point to come! 

Professor Catharine Gray (Director of the Honors Program) writes:

“At the meeting, I’ll briefly go over some basics. Then our panel of UIUC graduates, all of whom successfully completed an honors thesis in Spring 2023, will share their experiences of the process, while also offering tips and insights on preparing for, researching, and writing the thesis. We’ll talk about how to go about figuring out a topic, director, and proposal; how to research; and how to draft and revise such a long paper. If there’s time, we’ll have a Q&A session afterwards.”

UPCOMING LAS CAREER SERVICES EVENTS!

Nov 3 “Launch Your Career in Social Impact & The Power of Reflection with City Year” from 11 am to 1:30 pm at La Casa (1203 West Nevada Street, Urbana).

• What does success mean to you? What does rest mean to you? Join this session to learn about the power of self-reflection and how you can enact positive social change with City Year. Lunch will be provided, RSVP thru Handshake.

• City Year is an education non-profit and AmeriCorps national service program focused on addressing educational equity for low-income, (mostly) BIPOC youth.

• City Year AmeriCorps members receive a stipend, access to scholarships, student loan deferment and professional development opportunities to be an agent of change in any career you aspire to. You must be 17-25 years old; and be a US citizen or legal permanent resident.

Nov 7 “Seniors: Get Direction!” from 4 to 5 pm in 113 Greg Hall. AS Seniors: this is the second in a mini-series devoted to you, as you prepare for life after graduation, whether that will involve a job, grad school, or a gap year. Connect with other seniors facing similar challenges, get answers to your questions, and figure out some next steps to make the most of your senior year. If you attended the first session, we will not be covering the same topics.

book event with Luis Alberto Urrea
Register here for this FREE event!
volunteers requested!

For the above book event at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center on November 8 with the author Luis Alberto Urrea, Ryan Ross will need some assistance. Ryan is one of our own magnificent alums (BA ’08, English, MA ’10, LIS) and is now the coordinator of the history and traditions programs for the University of Illinois Alumni Association. If you’re interested in library science, history, archival work, museum studies, and/or event planning, you’ll enjoy getting to know Ryan! Specifically, he needs help with the following:

  • Two people at the registration table to cross names off the registration list (During the book signing later in the evening, those registration workers will help audience members form a line.)
  • Two people to be “runners” during the audience Q&A session, taking microphones to people who have questions.
  • One person to stand in the lobby before the event to answer questions and help guests find the restrooms.

The event starts at 7, so he would like the registration helpers to arrive no later than 6:15. The two “runners” and one helper in the lobby should show up by 6:30.

The event should be over by 9, though if there are still guests in the book signing line, it may be slightly later than that. If you’re interested, please email Ryan at rross2@illinois.edu!

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Spend your summer conducting research that makes an impact on our local community through the Community-Academic Scholars Program. This 10-week summer undergraduate research experience empowers Illinois students from any major to work with an Illinois researcher and community organization on a project designed to directly benefit the community. Hear from past scholars and learn more at a virtual information session Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Register for Zoom details and a link to the recorded info session

truman scholarship DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Are you concerned about issues facing your community, campus, or country, and are you actively working to make change? 

The prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship is available to College juniors who are U.S. citizens with a record of strong academic work, leadership, community service, and commitment to a career in public service. The scholarship awards $30,000 for use toward a graduate degree in public service fields. Public service includes government, uniformed services, public interest organizations, non-governmental research or educational organizations, public and private schools, and other non-profit organizations. Truman Scholars have pursued many fields of study, such as agriculture, engineering, economics, education, government, history, international relations, law, political science, public administration, and public health. Recipients of the scholarship are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation-funded graduate degree program; this is non-negotiable condition of receiving funding. 

Application Deadline
The campus deadline for submission is November 6, 2023, at 12:00 pm (noon).

Application Preparation
Please contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu to schedule an appointment with us. Appointments are generally scheduled for 1 hour and can be either in-person or Zoom meetings. Our office is located at 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building.

Material Review Policy 
If you are wanting your scholarship materials reviewed, we require that those materials be submitted to us as email attachments along with a few dates and times you would be available for an appointment no earlier than 2 business days after your submission.

For more information, visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

great new spring courseS!

Don’t Forget These!

awp intro journals contest
Social Group for Neurodiverse Students meets every wed!
new tutoring resource

Here’s a message from Brian Becker (academic outreach specialist at OMSA and an alum of our department!):

On behalf of the Office of Minority Student Affairs, I am thrilled to share our new partnership with NetTutor®! Through this partnership, the OMSA now provides FREE 24/7, 1:1 online tutoring across over 350+ subjects and disciplines. Each tutoring session is facilitated by professionally trained, degree-holding NetTutor staff who are committed to providing a welcoming, accessible virtual learning experience! Thanks to our integration with the NetTutor platform, students can conveniently log in using their Illinois credentials at: 

NetTutor Student Log-In: https://go.illinois.edu/OMSANetTutor

All of the information pertaining to our partnership with NetTutor, including a comprehensive User Guide, quick Log-in button, and accessibility options can be found on our dedicated OMSA Online Tutoring landing page.

critical language scholarship program

The Critical Language Scholarship, provided by the U.S. Department of State, is a fully funded, intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for undergraduate and graduate students.  A list of eligible languages is available here.

The CLS institutes cover one academic year of university-level language coursework in 8 to 10 weeks over the summer, and include cultural programming, local language partners, and excursions. Participants receive academic credit at their U.S. institutions.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age and enrolled in a degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level. For more information about this scholarship, please visit: http://www.clscholarship.org/. 

If you’d like to talk to an advisor about preparing your application, contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu

get involved with montage
new RSO

There’s a new RSO in town and it’s called Uplift! Uplift’s mission is to foster a community of pre-professional students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dedicated to collaboration, unity, and mutual support. Our RSO will serve as a hub for students of all backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an environment wherein members feel seen, heard, and empowered to pursue their goals. The RSO will provide resources for pre-professional students to prepare for their future careers and professional or graduate schools. We will also enable students to pursue their goals through study hours and access to review resources. Check out their site and sign up for email notifications if you’re interested.

apply now to be a golden apple scholar!
Prospective Secondary Education minors can apply by Dec 1 for priority acceptance.
Resource for our LGBTQIA+ Students 
Lisnek Hub

The Hub  is open again! Stop by Tuesday- Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Under the Lincoln Hall theater is the Lisnek Hub where you can chat with peer mentors.

find a workshop for you!

If you’re struggling in one or more of your STEM courses, perhaps there’s a workshop that could help. Check out the LAS Success Workshop Schedule, and be sure to click on “see more” at the bottom for the full list of options.

Tuesday@7 Workshops

Each week, undergraduate Counseling Center paraprofessionals offer interactive workshops on various topics. Please visit our website for login information and upcoming topics.

writers workshop

Writers Workshop drop-ins are available beginning 4-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 100b Main Library. These sessions are best for brainstorming, specific questions, or shorter documents (1-3 page papers, application materials, etc.). These sessions are first-come, first-serve.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Want to keep up with research-related opportunities and events hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUA)? Subscribe to OUA’s monthly newsletter and you won’t miss a thing!

You might also want to learn more about the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), particularly opportunities for undergraduates (did you know that they hire student interns and that some of them are English or creative writing majors?) in which case you should check out the Undergraduate section on the HRI website.

ACCESSIBLE COUNSELING RESOURCES

It can be hard to take the first step when you’re in need of counseling, so for ease of access the College of LAS has its own embedded counselor, Andy Novinska and you can contact him directly to schedule an appointment at anovinsk@illinois.edu.

Students can also access Counseling Center services by calling 217-333-3704 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday to set up an appointment via the same-day scheduling system. There is also an online scheduling system (please note that appointments are limited via this option so if you try to schedule online and cannot find anything that works please call the office or email Andy).

Workshops for Test Anxiety, ADHD Symptoms, Perfectionism, Body Image, etc. can be found here.

PSA–HEARD ABOUT 211?

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow English Department communities on social media!

DROP DEADLINE IS TODAY!

ICT/Curriculum changes for Spring 2024
Oct. 2-27

Deadline to DROP a full semester course without a grade of W
October 13

Part of Term B courses (aka 2nd-8-week courses) begin
October 16

Deadline to ADD a POT B course
October 20

Priority Registration is on its way!

Here’s the email we recently sent out about advising processes during the registration period. If you didn’t read the email, please read this!

Many of you are looking ahead to the spring semester so we’re writing to let you know the registration timeline and provide some resources we think will be helpful. Although the spring schedule is visible in Course Explorer, please be aware that there may still be some changes (classes may be added, meeting times may change, fuller descriptions of the topics courses will be added) in the next few weeks. First-semester students (whether first years or transfers) are required to meet with us. Continuing students are not required to meet with us but we certainly recommend that you check in one way or another; email is fine for quick questions or confirmation of your plans, but longer conversations are best had in real time either in person or over zoom. We recommend that you schedule registration appointments one to two weeks ahead of your registration date, but if you want to meet sooner than that you can. 

Registration will start October 30. Students are assigned a time on or after that day according to the schedule found here. Time tickets (which tell you when you can register for Spring 2024 classes) should be visible to you starting October 16. Log in to Student Self-Service to view your time ticket on that date. When you are ready to schedule your appointment call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30 to request an appointment. As always, you may request a particular advisor or ask for the first person available. Remember that we are very busy during the registration period so please don’t wait until your time ticket opens up and then send an email demanding an immediate reply. Plan ahead!

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to make your registration appointment more productive: 

  • Run your degree audit and see what you can make of it. Even if you find it a little confusing, try to get a sense of what requirements you have left to fulfill, and then when we do your registration appointment we can confirm (or correct) your interpretation of the audit and help explain anything that’s confusing. 
  • Think about what you want to accomplish in the spring. What major/minor/Gen Ed requirements would you like to complete, and what other areas would you like to explore?   
  • If you are thinking of adding a major or a minor, do you know what you need to do to get started? If you’ve already begun, can you figure out the next step?  You can explore major and minor requirements listed here: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
  • Consult Course Explorer and be sure to read the course descriptions in full.  Remember that if a course is called “Topics in X” then you must click through to see the individual sections and find out what topics are available. It’s also worth clicking through on any 199 (usually called Undergraduate Open Seminar) because there you may find some interesting and unusual topics being piloted, and they’re usually unrestricted. 
  • Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements and a “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements in the coming semester (SP24 cheat sheet!). 
we still need volunteers to eat empanadas and tell us what they think about the english major!

As part of our ongoing assessment of the undergraduate program in English, we are hoping to conduct another small focus group at some point in the coming month. Participants will be asked to talk about their general learning experience in the major and their answers, which will remain anonymous, will help us gauge and strengthen the program’s goals and learning outcomes. Students who participated in the last focus group are not eligible this time around (but we thank you once again for the feedback you gave us).  We plan to hold this meeting at lunchtime (noon to 1pm) on a Wednesday in October (specific date TBD), and will provide lunch in the form of empanadas from Manolo’s!

If you are willing to help out with this, please do let us know. Just email englishadvising@illinois.edu ASAP.  

LAST CHANCE to apply for this scholarship!

The Illinois Club provides scholarships to outstanding students in the areas of global studies, humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, education, and art. You must be an undergraduate at UIUC who will have earned 60 credit hours by the Spring 2024 semester and be planning to graduate no earlier than December 2024. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is also expected. The application portal is now open and will be live until 5pm CST on October 14th, 2023. More information is available at Illinois Club Scholarships.

inner voices–social issues theater LAST SHOW TODAY!
meet the author DEADLINE IS TODAY!

The WRC is hosting a book club and conversation with Kate Clancy, author of Period: The Real Story of Menstruation. Limited free copies are available for book club participants. Register today!

Conversation with the author:
Friday, October 13 at 3:30pm 

All events are located at the WRC (616 E Green St. Champaign, IL) 
Sponsors: Women’s Resources Center & Women & Gender in Global Perspectives

two Upcoming ESA Events!
LAS Career Services Upcoming Events

Oct 18 – Illinois Graduate and Professional School Fair 2023 12 to 4 pm in the Illini Union.

Oct 19 – Graduate School: The View from Inside (virtual) at 5 pm to 6 pm. Hear from LAS alumni currently in graduate school about what it’s really like. Get first-hand insights into making decisions about grad school, getting through the admissions process, finding funding, getting used to the differences between grad and undergrad, and preparing for a career.

  • Zoom details–https://illinois.zoom.us/j/82889357063?pwd=TGg5cGJNTEJCZVJiWmRUWHg0bGEzZz09
  • Meeting ID: 828 8935 7063 Password: 2023LAS

Oct 24 “My Major Isn’t Working for Me — Now What?” at 5 pm to 6 pm in 113 Greg Hall. Students are often hold back from changing majors because of their fears about career outcomes.

At this friendly and interactive workshop, we will discuss

  • – the relationship between majors and careers
  • – sources for accurate and helpful information career outcomes
  • – questions that will help you move forward
  • – strategies for making career-related decisions.

Come with your questions, leave with some next steps!

book event with Luis Alberto Urrea
Register here for this FREE event!
Social Group for Neurodiverse Students meets every wed!
new tutoring resource

Here’s a message from Brian Becker (academic outreach specialist at OMSA and an alum of our department!):

On behalf of the Office of Minority Student Affairs, I am thrilled to share our new partnership with NetTutor®! Through this partnership, the OMSA now provides FREE 24/7, 1:1 online tutoring across over 350+ subjects and disciplines. Each tutoring session is facilitated by professionally trained, degree-holding NetTutor staff who are committed to providing a welcoming, accessible virtual learning experience! Thanks to our integration with the NetTutor platform, students can conveniently log in using their Illinois credentials at: 

NetTutor Student Log-In: https://go.illinois.edu/OMSANetTutor

All of the information pertaining to our partnership with NetTutor, including a comprehensive User Guide, quick Log-in button, and accessibility options can be found on our dedicated OMSA Online Tutoring landing page.

critical language scholarship program

The Critical Language Scholarship, provided by the U.S. Department of State, is a fully funded, intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for undergraduate and graduate students.  A list of eligible languages is available here.

The CLS institutes cover one academic year of university-level language coursework in 8 to 10 weeks over the summer, and include cultural programming, local language partners, and excursions. Participants receive academic credit at their U.S. institutions.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age and enrolled in a degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level. For more information about this scholarship, please visit: http://www.clscholarship.org/. 

If you’d like to talk to an advisor about preparing your application, contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu

truman scholarship

Are you concerned about issues facing your community, campus, or country, and are you actively working to make change? 

The prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship is available to College juniors who are U.S. citizens with a record of strong academic work, leadership, community service, and commitment to a career in public service. The scholarship awards $30,000 for use toward a graduate degree in public service fields. Public service includes government, uniformed services, public interest organizations, non-governmental research or educational organizations, public and private schools, and other non-profit organizations. Truman Scholars have pursued many fields of study, such as agriculture, engineering, economics, education, government, history, international relations, law, political science, public administration, and public health. Recipients of the scholarship are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation-funded graduate degree program; this is non-negotiable condition of receiving funding. 

Application Deadline
The campus deadline for submission is November 6, 2023, at 12:00 pm (noon).

Application Preparation
Please contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu to schedule an appointment with us. Appointments are generally scheduled for 1 hour and can be either in-person or Zoom meetings. Our office is located at 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building.

Material Review Policy 
If you are wanting your scholarship materials reviewed, we require that those materials be submitted to us as email attachments along with a few dates and times you would be available for an appointment no earlier than 2 business days after your submission.

For more information, visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu 

Check out this POT B course!
social issues group dialogues

Have you heard of these 1-credit-hour 2nd-8-week courses? They are what they say they are: group dialogues around important topics that benefit from skilled and sensitive facilitation.

Sign up Now!

Resisting Marginalization, Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:50 PM, Zoom:   This course is highly experiential, interactive, and it helps students develop various skills. These skills include critical thinking, listening, perspective taking, and critical self-reflection. Students are also challenged to develop awareness and understanding of critical intergroup relations issues affecting individuals, organizations, and communities. Instructors Eugene Moore and Charles Young.

Exploring Race and Ethnicity, Tuesdays, 12:00 – 1:50 PM, Zoom: We invite you to join us in this interactive course designed to discuss topics centered around race, culture, stereotypes, social privilege, macroaggressions etc. We encourage students to bring their own unique experiences, perspectives, and stories to the classroom to inform our dialogue. Instructors Joe Cross and April Carter.

Reproductive Justice, Thursdays, 3:00 – 4:50 PM, OVCDEI 3080: This course explores reproductive justice as a social justice issue alongside other systems of oppression. Topics include sociological and historical contexts of reproductive justice, intersectionality and reproductive justice, activism and advocacy around reproductive rights and justice, and contemporary case studies in reproductive justice. Instructors Amie Baumeister and Kara Lawrence.

Disability Social Justice, Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:50 PM, 1GSLIS, Room 46. This dialogue course introduces students to perspectives in disability social justice. We will explore the histories, socio-legal contexts, ideas, and special topics that have shaped movements toward disability social justice. Instructors Matt Archer and Tina Cowsert. 

Don’t Forget These!

Paid copyediting position

The Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) is a USAID-funded initiative committed to reducing poverty and malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally through advancements in production, processing, and utilization across the soybean value chain. SIL’s clients are practitioners, those who lead and manage the public and private sector organizations along the soybean value chain.

Position Overview: We are seeking a highly skilled Editor to join our team. As an Editor, you will play a crucial role in refining and enhancing written content to meet the highest standards of quality and clarity. Your expertise in the English language and editing, coupled with your meticulous attention to detail, will be instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and coherence of our materials.

Qualifications:
-A strong educational background in English, linguistics, or a related field, demonstrating a deep understanding of the English language.
-Proven track record of consistently delivering high-quality work within established deadlines.
-Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of written content.
-Experience with research or marketing articles is preferred, highlighting the ability to navigate complex subjects and terminologies.
-Proficiency in using editing software and tools.
-Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
-Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of writers, editors, and content creators.

Benefits:
-From $13/hour on, depending on the experience and work performance.
-Estimated workload of 10 hours per week.
-Friendly and flexible working environment.

If you possess a passion for language precision and have a keen eye for refining content to its best potential, please contact me via ixh@illinois.edu. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining the quality and impact of our written materials.

awp intro journals contest
get involved with montage
new RSO

There’s a new RSO in town and it’s called Uplift! Uplift’s mission is to foster a community of pre-professional students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dedicated to collaboration, unity, and mutual support. Our RSO will serve as a hub for students of all backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an environment wherein members feel seen, heard, and empowered to pursue their goals. The RSO will provide resources for pre-professional students to prepare for their future careers and professional or graduate schools. We will also enable students to pursue their goals through study hours and access to review resources. Check out their site and sign up for email notifications if you’re interested.

apply now to be a golden apple scholar!
Prospective Secondary Education minors can apply by Dec 1 for priority acceptance.
Resource for our LGBTQIA+ Students 
Lisnek Hub

The Hub  is open again! Stop by Tuesday- Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Under the Lincoln Hall theater is the Lisnek Hub where you can chat with peer mentors.

find a workshop for you!

If you’re struggling in one or more of your STEM courses, perhaps there’s a workshop that could help. Check out the LAS Success Workshop Schedule, and be sure to click on “see more” at the bottom for the full list of options.

Tuesday@7 Workshops

Each week, undergraduate Counseling Center paraprofessionals offer interactive workshops on various topics. Please visit our website for login information and upcoming topics.

writers workshop

Writers Workshop drop-ins are available beginning 4-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 100b Main Library. These sessions are best for brainstorming, specific questions, or shorter documents (1-3 page papers, application materials, etc.). These sessions are first-come, first-serve.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Want to keep up with research-related opportunities and events hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUA)? Subscribe to OUA’s monthly newsletter and you won’t miss a thing!

You might also want to learn more about the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), particularly opportunities for undergraduates (did you know that they hire student interns and that some of them are English or creative writing majors?) in which case you should check out the Undergraduate section on the HRI website.

2ND ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH FAIR
TUTORING SERVICES

Take advantage of tutoring services on campus
Many departments within the College of LAS offer tutoring. Find the right fit for you.

ACCESSIBLE COUNSELING RESOURCES

It can be hard to take the first step when you’re in need of counseling, so for ease of access the College of LAS has its own embedded counselor, Andy Novinska and you can contact him directly to schedule an appointment at anovinsk@illinois.edu.

Students can also access Counseling Center services by calling 217-333-3704 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday to set up an appointment via the same-day scheduling system. There is also an online scheduling system (please note that appointments are limited via this option so if you try to schedule online and cannot find anything that works please call the office or email Andy).

Workshops for Test Anxiety, ADHD Symptoms, Perfectionism, Body Image, etc. can be found here.

PSA–HEARD ABOUT 211?
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow English Department communities on social media!

10th annual ecofeminism summit fINAL EVENT TODAY
Paid copyediting position

The Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) is a USAID-funded initiative committed to reducing poverty and malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally through advancements in production, processing, and utilization across the soybean value chain. SIL’s clients are practitioners, those who lead and manage the public and private sector organizations along the soybean value chain.

Position Overview: We are seeking a highly skilled Editor to join our team. As an Editor, you will play a crucial role in refining and enhancing written content to meet the highest standards of quality and clarity. Your expertise in the English language and editing, coupled with your meticulous attention to detail, will be instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and coherence of our materials.

Qualifications:
-A strong educational background in English, linguistics, or a related field, demonstrating a deep understanding of the English language.
-Proven track record of consistently delivering high-quality work within established deadlines.
-Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of written content.
-Experience with research or marketing articles is preferred, highlighting the ability to navigate complex subjects and terminologies.
-Proficiency in using editing software and tools.
-Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
-Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of writers, editors, and content creators.

Benefits:
-From $13/hour on, depending on the experience and work performance.
-Estimated workload of 10 hours per week.
-Friendly and flexible working environment.

If you possess a passion for language precision and have a keen eye for refining content to its best potential, please contact me via ixh@illinois.edu. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining the quality and impact of our written materials.

awp intro journals contest
get involved with montage
new RSO

There’s a new RSO in town and it’s called Uplift! Uplift’s mission is to foster a community of pre-professional students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dedicated to collaboration, unity, and mutual support. Our RSO will serve as a hub for students of all backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an environment wherein members feel seen, heard, and empowered to pursue their goals. The RSO will provide resources for pre-professional students to prepare for their future careers and professional or graduate schools. We will also enable students to pursue their goals through study hours and access to review resources. Check out their site and sign up for email notifications if you’re interested.

law school fair + admission panel
apply now to be a golden apple scholar!
Prospective Secondary Education minors can apply by Dec 1 for priority acceptance.
Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program

The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2024 cohort.

URAP provides students with little or no research experience the opportunity to work with graduate students and post-doctoral scholars on their research projects, explore the culture and process of research, and build on their existing abilities within a community of scholars. In Spring 2024, the undergraduate portion of URAP will consist of two equally important parts: a one-on-one research experience with their research mentor, and the Introduction to Research course. The course is designed to complement the research mentoring experience, orienting undergraduate mentees to broader topics in the research process.

Participation in URAP is by application only; the application portal is now open. Students selected to be part of URAP are expected to commit to: (1) attending the regular weekly class meetings of GC 295, Introduction to Research (3 credit hours) with Office of Undergraduate Research instructors; and (2) working one-on-one with their research mentors, an average of 5-6 hours per week. As part of the course requirement, students will complete a final project, consisting of a poster, to be presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, an annual event on April 25, 2024.

The deadline for students to apply is October 6, 2023, at 11:59 pm. For more information about URAP, including research project abstracts, and how to apply to the program, please visit our website: http://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/programs/urap.html

LAS career services upcoming events

Careers in Grantwriting

Thursday, Oct. 5, 5 – 6:30pm, virtual

Grant writing is a key skill for making a difference in the world. Many organizations (educational, social services, community, health….) rely on grant funding. Learn about opportunities to build grant writing skills as part of your Illinois education and hear from two Illinois alumni who have built career paths around this superpower: Gloria Yen (Music ’11), former Director, New American Welcome Center here in Champaign, and Vivienne Henning (English ’19), Grant Writer, Mercy Housing.  

Register on Handshake for updates and reminders!

Zoom Details –

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/82889357063?pwd=TGg5cGJNTEJCZVJiWmRUWHg0bGEzZz09

Resource for our LGBTQIA+ Students 

Don’t Forget These!

Lisnek Hub

The Hub  is open again! Stop by Tuesday- Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Under the Lincoln Hall theater is the Lisnek Hub where you can chat with peer mentors.

now accepting scholarship applications!

The Illinois Club provides scholarships to outstanding students in the areas of global studies, humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, education, and art. You must be an undergraduate at UIUC who will have earned 60 credit hours by the Spring 2024 semester and be planning to graduate no earlier than December 2024. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is also expected. The application portal is now open and will be live until 5pm CST on October 14th, 2023. More information is available at Illinois Club Scholarships.

find a workshop for you!

If you’re struggling in one or more of your STEM courses, perhaps there’s a workshop that could help. Check out the LAS Success Workshop Schedule, and be sure to click on “see more” at the bottom for the full list of options.

Tuesday@7 Workshops

Each week, undergraduate Counseling Center paraprofessionals offer interactive workshops on various topics. Please visit our website for login information and upcoming topics.

writers workshop

Writers Workshop drop-ins are available beginning 4-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 100b Main Library. These sessions are best for brainstorming, specific questions, or shorter documents (1-3 page papers, application materials, etc.). These sessions are first-come, first-serve.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Want to keep up with research-related opportunities and events hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUA)? Subscribe to OUA’s monthly newsletter and you won’t miss a thing!

You might also want to learn more about the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), particularly opportunities for undergraduates (did you know that they hire student interns and that some of them are English or creative writing majors?) in which case you should check out the Undergraduate section on the HRI website.

2ND ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH FAIR
TUTORING SERVICES

Take advantage of tutoring services on campus
Many departments within the College of LAS offer tutoring. Find the right fit for you.

ACCESSIBLE COUNSELING RESOURCES

It can be hard to take the first step when you’re in need of counseling, so for ease of access the College of LAS has its own embedded counselor, Andy Novinska and you can contact him directly to schedule an appointment at anovinsk@illinois.edu.

Students can also access Counseling Center services by calling 217-333-3704 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday to set up an appointment via the same-day scheduling system. There is also an online scheduling system (please note that appointments are limited via this option so if you try to schedule online and cannot find anything that works please call the office or email Andy).

Workshops for Test Anxiety, ADHD Symptoms, Perfectionism, Body Image, etc. can be found here.

PSA–HEARD ABOUT 211?
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB
DATES & DEADLINES

ICT/Curriculum changes for Spring 2024
Oct. 2-27

Deadline to drop a full semester course without a grade of W
October 13