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 weeksFirst-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 hereTime tickets (which tell you when you can register for Spring 2024 classes) should be visible to you starting October 16Log 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 19Graduate 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 Guidequick 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

Weekly Round-Up

Follow English and Creative Writing communities on social media!

HRI PRINDABLE INTERNSHIP DEADLINE TODAY!

HRI’s Communications and Outreach internship offers real world experience for undergraduate humanities majors.

Are you passionate about the humanities? Undergraduate majors in humanities disciplines are invited to apply for a paid internship in communications and undergraduate outreach at the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), the campus humanities hub. The successful candidate will assist HRI with its communications, including social media, event calendar maintenance, and research and writing projects, in addition to serving as an undergraduate ambassador and a strategist for HRI on undergraduate engagement. For application guidelines see hereApplication Deadline: September 15!

Author Talks and Book Signings at urbana free library

Saturday, September 23, 2023, 1:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

Stop by the Urbana Free Library, where authors Allison Boot and Francesca T. Royster will be discussing their works and signing books. Boot is a writer who specializes in novels featuring characters who are disabled, and Royster is a scholar and author who will talk about her new memoir. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

For a full list of events (some of which feature members of our own Creative Writing Program!) check out the Pygmalion website.

All Pygmalion events at the Library are free and open to the public.

Las caREER SERVICES UPCOMING EVENTS

Are you ready for the ACES + LAS Career Fairs? In person at the Union on Sept 20 or virtual Sept 26. Swing by the Hub or our office to get yourself ready. Find 3-6 employers you want to chat with, print off your resumes, jot down 3-4 questions to ask recruiters, and go make some new connections.

Sept 21- Coffee with a DiplomatLearn about Overseas Careers with the U.S. Dept of State 10 am to noon in 105 Greg. Meet Susan Falatko, Diplomat in Residence for the Midwest. Learn about careers in the foreign service and how to get started. (And ask her questions about her own experience living and working abroad for the US Department of State. She will be at the ACES + LAS Career Fair on Aug 20 as well.

Sept 28, How to Have a Career in Business with your LAS Degree from 2:00-3:30. Join us in 105 Greg Hall for Q&A with alumnus David Rothmund (Communications ’14) about his path from a LAS Degree to his current role in Global Corporate Strategy & Operations at Gartner (and is you don’t know what that means, never fear–that’s one of our questions). Note: time change from original posting.

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.

employment opportunity

Are you interested in topics related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice? Do you have experience leading difficult conversations? Do you want to become a diversity leader on campus? I-Connect peer educators are university students who lead I-Connect Interactive Workshops in the Spring. This is a paid student position with Diversity & Social Justice Education for Spring 2024. Workshops occur in the evenings from 6:00 – 9:00 PM throughout the Spring 2024 semester. Workshops are held on Zoom. This is a remote work opportunity. Apply at https://go.illinois.edu/iconnectjob (application window opened September 4 and will stay open until all positions are filled).

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.

Here are our workshops for September:
September 19 |Building Campus Friendships Where You Alma Mater (Lincoln 1022)
September 26 | Intuitive Eating: You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too (ISR 94AB)

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.

Don’t forget these!

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

Deadline to drop, CR/NCR, or elect grade replacement in a POT A (first-8-week) course 
Friday, Sept. 15

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

Deadline to drop, CR/NCR, or elect grade replacement in a FULL-SEMESTER course
October 13