Weekly Round-Up

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is illinoisenglish-linktree-qr-code-1024x1024.png
Follow us on social media!
SELECTED Dates and Deadlines:

October 29: Comics Colloquium discussion
November 1: Study Abroad Info Session–University of East Anglia
November 1: AWP Intro Journals Contest Submissions Due
November 2: Inside Scoop–Medical Humanities
November 11: Deadline to DROP a POT B course

Read on for more details!

registration guidelines redux (with honors info)

Students are assigned a time on or after October 31 according to the schedule found here. When you are ready to schedule an advising appointment (required for new students and students on academic probation, recommended for all others) call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. As always, you may request a particular advisor or ask for the first person available.

If you would like to sign up for an honors course, please email Nancy at nrahn@illinois.edu (include your full name and UIN) and tell her which seminar you hope to take this spring, including the title/topic and the CRN.  See ENGL 396 entries in Course Explorer for the information you’ll need to include.  Please allow one week to get a response. Once Nancy has given you permission to take the course, you must still go into the registration system and add it to your schedule. It’s first come, first served, so act now! If you want to take two seminars, then you may, but you must receive approval for the first before you can request a second. 

Eligibility rests on the following: a GPA of at least 3.33 in the major and overall, and completion of at least three ENGL courses, of which one must be ENGL 200 and another must be ENGL 301 or 350.  Most students begin honors coursework in their junior year, but eligible sophomores may sign up if they meet the basic requirements.

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, plus the “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements this spring. 
English student association meetings and more!

You are invited to attend the weekly ESA meetings: Wednesdays from 6-7 in the Mary Kay Peer Lounge (basement of the English building), for example. If you want to know more email esaillinois1867@gmail.com.

Or, get involved with Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society if you want to connect with fellow English students, writers, and lovers of literature. You will have opportunities to gain experience publishing, speaking as a panelist at conferences, and/or meeting English students from around the world. For more information, email sigmataudeltaillinois@gmail.com.

grad school info session for students from underrepresented populations:

Thursday, November 3, 4:30-6:00 p.m., 213 Gregory Hall

Are you thinking of furthering your education in a Master’s or Doctoral program? Do you have questions about the admissions process, how to fund your graduate education, and when to start exploring your options?

The Graduate College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team is hosting a Graduate School Information Session. Join us to get the answers to these questions and many more! Questions can be directed to GradDiversity@nrahnillinois-edu

udall scholarship:

The University of Illinois seeks to nominate sophomores and juniors for the Udall Scholarship. Udall awards $7,000 to sophomores or juniors in any field of study who are taking action to address environmental concerns and are committed to a career related to the environment. There are also special awards also for Native American students interested in Tribal policy or health care (no need for these interests to be related to the environment). Students must be US citizens, US nationals, or US permanent residents. A successful applicant will have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate leadership and a commitment to service. The campus deadline is January 30, 2023 to be considered. 

If you are interested in applying, please plan to attend our Udall informational events:  

Udall Scholarship Information Session (In-person)
Date: Nov 10, 2022   3:30 – 4:30 pm  
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (the entrance nearest Coble Hall)

Udall Scholarship Information Session (Online)
Date: Nov 11, 2022   9:00 – 10:00 am  
Zoom Registration link: https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-qvrTIvGN0XlEDXeuNZSkahoTHeVKaP 

Udall Scholarship Writing Workshop
Date: Nov 11, 2022   3:00 – 4:00 pm  
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (the entrance nearest Coble Hall)

For more information, contact the scholarships office at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website.

CHLH + Peer Educator Positions:

Want to create positive change on campus? Interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how to prevent sexual violence in our community? Looking for a paid job?

Consider enrolling in CHLH 126: CARE next semester to become a paid peer educator in the Fall! All students are invited and encouraged to enroll. 

TR 3:30 – 4:50 PM | 3 credit hours | CRN 71651  Contact Associate Director Prevention, Nora Peterson (nepeters@illinois.edu) with any questions.

M.A. Research Assistantship in Cather Studies at UNL:

The Willa Cather Archive and Cather Project, both housed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are offering a research assistantship to one incoming M.A. student each year. Interested students are invited to apply to the M.A. program at UNL, designating their interest in the assistantship. 

The department of English at the UNL welcomes applications not only from students with a particular interest in Willa Cather, but also from students interested in closely related areas– such as early twentieth-century women’s writing, LGBTQ+ literature, or Western American literature– as well as from students who study, or would like to acquire skills in, the digital humanities.

Applications are due December 1st.

Study abroad in the UK! University of East Anglia Information Session:

Join an information session with UEA Coordinator Brittany Hopkins on study in the UK at the University of East Anglia. For more information visit https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/6634?eventId=33442360 and see the flyer below:

All Undergraduate Students Welcome to Apply to 2023 NYU Creative Writing Summer Intensives:

New York University’s College of Arts and Science invites visiting undergraduate students to participate in their short-term summer programs. The month-long creative writing retreats in Florence and Paris may be of particular interest to students. The Writers in Florence and Writers in Paris programs are only offered during the summer, and students are encouraged to immerse themselves in their host city through both reading and writing assignments. Participants focus on one of three genres—poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction—and attend daily writing workshops and craft seminars. 2023 faculty will include Catherine Barnett, Raven Leilani, Jonathan Safran Foer, Katie Kitamura, Ken Chen, Mark Bibbins, and Matthew Rohrer, among many other acclaimed writers. All coursework receives a NYU transcript, transferable to other institutions. 

Interested students are encouraged to join a virtual information session to learn more:

Applications will open December 1, 2022 with a priority deadline of February 1, 2023. For more information, contact cas.summerabroad@nyu.edu

Apply for CLA’s Caroll Mills Young Study Abroad Scholarship:

The CLA Caroll Mills Young Study Abroad Scholarship is designed to support students at member institutions who want to participate in a study abroad program.  The scholarship is open to any student who meets eligibility requirements and is presently attending a CLA college or university.  A CLA college or university is one where a member of the College Language Association is presently employed or is a retiree. 

Each application must be verified and signed by a faculty sponsor who is a current financial member of the College Language Association.  Complete applications must be RECEIVED by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, February 10, 2023 for study abroad in summer or fall 2023.

For more information contact the English advising office and we will supply the full document (it’s not available online and it’s too long to reproduce here).

Undergraduate HRI Event:

You are invited to attend an HRI cosponsored event on 2 November at noon. See the flyer below:

Exp”LER”ing HR Careers:

If you are interested in pursuing a Master’s degree and career in Human Resources / Industrial Relations, consider attending ExpLERing HR. See the flyer.

Spotlight on English department courses:

ENGL 199, Section E: Publishing and Editing

This course is designed for students who anticipate working with or in the trade or academic publishing industry. Topics covered include developmental editing and line editing; proofreading; language usage; intellectual property and permissions; developing a marketing plan; submitting queries; electronic publishing; tables, graphs, images, and page layout. Abundant writing and editing practice will be required.  May be used as an elective course in the English major. 

ENGL 261: Topics in Literature & Culture–Race & Visual Culture

How do we visualize race in American culture? Why is race so strongly associated with the visual? How is race produced, explored, and circulated through the visual? This course will study how race is “seen” in American literature and culture from 1980 to the present day. We will consider concepts such as racial classification, stereotype, representation, fetish, abstraction, and social and political transformation. You will learn how to read literature, visual art, and films using both critical race and ethnic studies and visual culture studies frameworks. Expect to study texts by authors, artists, and filmmakers such as Toni Morrison, Adrian Tomine, Lara Mimosa Montez, Jeffrey Gibson, and Jordan Peele, among others.  May be used as a contemporary course in the English (and English Teaching) concentrations, as a Difference & Diaspora course in any English or Creative Writing major, or as a RIGS cluster course in the English Topics concentration. 

BTW 263: Effective Grant Writing

Students who take this course will be prepared to work on a grant writing team, lead grant writing projects, and use their writing and research skills to secure funds for community projects. Students will participate in the entire grant writing cycle–from researching funding opportunities to final submission–and will work with local nonprofits to complete a polished grant on their behalf. The class will investigate the grant-writing process and its many genres and forms, including needs assessments, program assessments, letters of inquiry, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and the most common sections of grant applications. Working with a team of peers and a community client, students will develop project management and collaborative writing skills. Students will explore the landscape of local grant-writing by meeting other grant-writing professionals and community organizations and use statewide and national databases and tools to identify current grant-writing trends and best practices. Students pursuing careers in social work, social services, or the nonprofit sector, or those who plan to work with state governments, local governments, or NGOs will benefit the most from this class, although the class is open to all majors and interest.

Don’t forget these!

U-C Comics Colloquium:

The U-C Comics Colloquium, a monthly comics discussion group, will be meeting via Zoom on Saturday, October 29, at 1pm. We’ll be discussing Sarah Andersen’s just-released Cryptid Club (2022), available via all fine comics and book purveyors.

If you are interested, see the attached flyer or join directly on Oct 29 via this link: https://go.illinois.edu/Cryptid 

You are also welcome to join our listserv: uc-comics-colloquium@lists.illinois.edu. If you’d like to know more, contact Shawn Gilmore, Director of Specialized Faculty, at sgilmore@illinois.edu.

Intro Journals Project Contest | Deadline Nov. 1

The time of AWP Intro Journals Project submissions is nigh. The English department collects submissions from creative writing students of all levels and then submits their pick of each genre to this national award. For four consecutive years, we’ve had either winners or honorable mentions from the University of Illinois. If you’d like to have your work considered for submission, see the flyer below for instructions.

SKY HAPPINESS RETREAT:

The SKY Happiness Retreat introduces SKY Meditation, an evidence-based meditation practice integrated with breath work that can significantly increase one’s well-being and calmness, and significantly reduces anxiety and stress markers.  The course features interactive group processes, experiential learning, emotional intelligence training, breath-work, yoga, and evidence-based meditation. It’s one of the coolest places to connect with yourself, make new friends, and most importantly, have fun!  

The SKY Happiness Retreat is fully funded for University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff. Availability is first-come-first-serve, by registration only and requires attendance to all sessions. Limited spots are available.  

Location: on campus
Time: November 4th (Fri) | 6pm – 9pm and November 5th and 6th (Sat & Sun) | 1pm – 5:30pm 
Apply here: http://tiny.cc/skyretreatfall2022

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is download-791x1024.png
Beinecke Scholarship Informational Sessions

The Beinecke Foundation is looking for students who have demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during their undergraduate years. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated U.S. citizen juniors (those expecting to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2023 and August 2024) to pursue graduate studies in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Each scholar receives $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. Preference is given to candidates for whom the awarding of significant financial aid would increase the likelihood of the student’s being able to attend graduate school.

The National and International Scholarships Program will be hosting a two-day informational event for students to learn more about this opportunity. At the in-person information session, attendees will receive an overview of the scholarship. There will be an online info session for those unable to make the in-person event. At the writing workshop, you will get tips on how to write a competitive scholarship packet.  You are encouraged to attend both the info session and writing workshop:

Beinecke Scholarship Information Session (in-person)
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
Date: October 27, 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Beinecke Scholarship Information Session (online) 
Date: October 28, 9:00 – 10:00 am  
Zoom Registration Link: 
https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOmrrz4oGdVF1bXcVVti97V3dGg_ANPr   

Beinecke Writing Workshop
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
Date: October 28, 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Embedded Confidential Advisors

The Women’s Resources Center (WRC) is the designated confidential campus resource related to sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, stalking and abuse within a relationship (sometimes called dating or domestic violence). There are several Confidential Advisors at the WRC who can provide you – or someone looking to support you – with support and advocacy services.

Embedded Advocate Hours: 
TU/WED: 10 am – 5 pm @ BNAACC
M/TH: 11 am – 5 pm @ La Casa

Advising available by appointment | Monday – Friday @ the WRC
Hours may vary. Walk-in appointments offered as available.
Learn more about Advocacy & Support Services, here

Opening of the Speaking Center:

The University Library is excited to announce the opening of the Speaking Center this fall! Beginning October 18th, students will be able to receive free and personalized public speaking assistance for any presentation and at any stage in the preparation process.

Students can work one-on-one with a trained Speaking Consultant to improve presentations and speeches, attend workshops focused on building lasting speaking skills, or participate in language sessions to build foreign language skills. Students can sign up by visiting https://www.library.illinois.edu/tlas/speaking-center/. At this time, graduate and professional students may only register for Wednesday appointments. Undergraduate students may register for any available appointment. 

Volunteer opportunity

The university YMCA is looking for tutors for K-12 students this semester. It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone who likes working with children or wants to get more connected to the immigrant community in CU.

If interested, please contact nawctutoring@universityymca.org.

Call For Applications: Funded MA/PhD, Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies:

The Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies at the University of Alabama is currently accepting applications for MA and PhD admissions for Fall of 2023.

  • The Strode MA program offers students the unique opportunity to specialize in Renaissance studies at the master’s level. Students admitted to the Strode MA program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for two years (the current MA stipend is $19,500 per year)..
  • The Strode PhD program offers advanced training in Renaissance studies for a select cohort of students who pursue their research interests through an individually tailored plan of study. Students admitted to the Strode PhD program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for five years (the current PhD stipend is $21,500 per year).
  • All MA and PhD students can also take full advantage of the resources of the Strode Program, including travel funding, summer support, and access to a range of programming, such as the Alabama Shakespeare Project, Shakespeare in performance workshops, and lectures by distinguished guest speakers. The University of Alabama is also a member of The Folger Institute. Students and faculty in early modern studies at The University of Alabama are eligible to participate in the Institute’s many cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary workshops and seminars, designed to enhance participants’ research interests.
  • The Strode Program works closely with the Alabama Digital Humanities Center (ADHC) and co-sponsors of the University of Alabama’s international Digital Humanities conference, Digitorium (https://apps.lib.ua.edu/blogs/digitorium/). Strode students have access to the ADHC for support with digital techniques for their research and teaching,

Please note that the deadline for applying for admission to either the MA or the PhD program for the Fall term is December 1.

For more details about the program and the application process visit  https://strode.english.ua.edu/

FLAS Fellowships for English Majors:

Do you study a less commonly taught language (any language except French, German, and Spanish)? Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? If so, consider applying for a Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship for summer 2023 or academic year 2023-24. FLAS fellowships support both undergraduate and graduate study in modern foreign languages in combination with global or area studies. The purpose of the FLAS program is to train students to integrate global knowledge into a future career in areas of national need like cyber security and business, where knowledge of additional languages is crucial. Learn more about FLAS fellowship opportunities through the European Union Center here, and learn more about FLAS opportunities across campus here. Please look out for the FLAS information session in November. Applications will be due in late January.

More help with research:

MONTAGE ARTS JOURNAL:

Montage Arts Journal, the undergraduate literary magazine of UIUC, is now open for submissions. All publishable forms of art—photography, paintings, sketches, digital art, collages, sculptures, poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, drama, and more—are welcome. This semester’s reading period closes December 15th, but submissions can be emailed to montagejournal@gmail.com any time before then. Please see https://montagejournal.wordpress.com for more information. 

DOUBLE YOUR ADVISING, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Beginning 9/22 you can stop by Greg Hall 105 any TUESDAY MORNING between 9:30 and noon or THURSDAY AFTERNOON between 1:00 and 4:00 to meet with Julie Higgs (note that these times have changed since last spring).  Starting September 24 Anna will be there Tuesday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time and then talk to Julie before or afterwards. It’s one-stop shopping!

You can also connect with Julie in the English advising office during her drop-in hours: 1:30-4:00 every other Monday starting September 12.

fall workshops:

Weekly Round-Up

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is illinoisenglish-linktree-qr-code-1024x1024.png
Follow us on social media!
registration

Priority registration will start October 31. Students are assigned a time on or after that day according to the schedule found here. We recommend that you schedule your registration appointment one to two weeks ahead of your registration date, but if you want to meet sooner than that you can. When you are ready 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. First-semester students (whether freshers or transfer students) are required to meet with us, as are students on academic probation. All others are invited to make an appointment or check in via email, as they prefer.

If you would like to sign up for an honors course, please email Nancy at nrahn@illinois.edu (include your full name and UIN) and tell her which seminar you hope to take this spring, including the title/topic and the CRN.  See ENGL 396 entries in Course Explorer for the information you’ll need to include.  Please allow one week to get a response. Once Nancy has given you permission to take the course, you must still go into the registration system and add it to your schedule. It’s first come, first served, so act now! If you want to take two seminars, then you may, but you must receive approval for the first before you can request a second. 

Eligibility rests on the following: a GPA of at least 3.33 in the major and overall, and completion of at least three ENGL courses, of which one must be ENGL 200 and another must be ENGL 301 or 350.  Most students begin honors coursework in their junior year, but eligible sophomores may sign up if they meet the basic requirements.

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, plus the “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements this spring. 
English student association meetings and more!

You are invited to attend the weekly ESA meetings: Wednesdays from 6-7 in the Mary Kay Peer Lounge (basement of the English building), for example. If you want to know more email esaillinois1867@gmail.com.

Or, get involved with Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society if you want to connect with fellow English students, writers, and lovers of literature. You will have opportunities to gain experience publishing, speaking as a panelist at conferences, and/or meeting English students from around the world. For more information, email sigmataudeltaillinois@gmail.com.

U-C Comics Colloquium:

The U-C Comics Colloquium, a monthly comics discussion group, will be meeting via Zoom on Saturday, October 29, at 1pm. We’ll be discussing Sarah Andersen’s just-released Cryptid Club (2022), available via all fine comics and book purveyors.

If you are interested, see the attached flyer or join directly on Oct 29 via this link: https://go.illinois.edu/Cryptid 

You are also welcome to join our listserv: uc-comics-colloquium@lists.illinois.edu. If you’d like to know more, contact Shawn Gilmore, Director of Specialized Faculty, at sgilmore@illinois.edu.

Intro Journals Project Contest | Deadline Nov. 1

The time of AWP Intro Journals Project submissions is nigh. The English department collects submissions from creative writing students of all levels and then submits their pick of each genre to this national award. For four consecutive years, we’ve had either winners or honorable mentions from the University of Illinois. If you’d like to have your work considered for submission, see the flyer below for instructions.

SKY Happiness Retreat:

The SKY Happiness Retreat introduces SKY Meditation, an evidence-based meditation practice integrated with breath work that can significantly increase one’s well-being and calmness, and significantly reduces anxiety and stress markers.  The course features interactive group processes, experiential learning, emotional intelligence training, breath-work, yoga, and evidence-based meditation. It’s one of the coolest places to connect with yourself, make new friends, and most importantly, have fun!  

The SKY Happiness Retreat is fully funded for University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff. Availability is first-come-first-serve, by registration only and requires attendance to all sessions. Limited spots are available.  

Location: on campus
Time: November 4th (Fri) | 6pm – 9pm and November 5th and 6th (Sat & Sun) | 1pm – 5:30pm 
Apply here: http://tiny.cc/skyretreatfall2022

Dates and Deadlines:

October 21: Deadline to ADD a POT B course
November 11: Deadline to DROP a POT B course

Don’t forget these!

Beinecke Scholarship Informational Sessions

The Beinecke Foundation is looking for students who have demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during their undergraduate years. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated U.S. citizen juniors (those expecting to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2023 and August 2024) to pursue graduate studies in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Each scholar receives $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. Preference is given to candidates for whom the awarding of significant financial aid would increase the likelihood of the student’s being able to attend graduate school.

The National and International Scholarships Program will be hosting a two-day informational event for students to learn more about this opportunity. At the in-person information session, attendees will receive an overview of the scholarship. There will be an online info session for those unable to make the in-person event. At the writing workshop, you will get tips on how to write a competitive scholarship packet.  You are encouraged to attend both the info session and writing workshop:

Beinecke Scholarship Information Session (in-person)
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
Date: October 27, 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Beinecke Scholarship Information Session (online) 
Date: October 28, 9:00 – 10:00 am  
Zoom Registration Link: 
https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOmrrz4oGdVF1bXcVVti97V3dGg_ANPr   

Beinecke Writing Workshop
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
Date: October 28, 3:00 – 4:00 pm

1-credit course in multisequential novels

If you are seeking a chance to read interesting novels for one credit hour you may be interested in enrolling in a class that starts Monday and runs through December. For more information, see the flyer below:

Embedded Confidential Advisors

The Women’s Resources Center (WRC) is the designated confidential campus resource related to sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, stalking and abuse within a relationship (sometimes called dating or domestic violence). There are several Confidential Advisors at the WRC who can provide you – or someone looking to support you – with support and advocacy services.

Embedded Advocate Hours: 
TU/WED: 10 am – 5 pm @ BNAACC
M/TH: 11 am – 5 pm @ La Casa

Advising available by appointment | Monday – Friday @ the WRC
Hours may vary. Walk-in appointments offered as available.
Learn more about Advocacy & Support Services, here

Opening of the Speaking Center:

The University Library is excited to announce the opening of the Speaking Center this fall! Beginning October 18th, students will be able to receive free and personalized public speaking assistance for any presentation and at any stage in the preparation process.

Students can work one-on-one with a trained Speaking Consultant to improve presentations and speeches, attend workshops focused on building lasting speaking skills, or participate in language sessions to build foreign language skills. Students can sign up by visiting https://www.library.illinois.edu/tlas/speaking-center/. At this time, graduate and professional students may only register for Wednesday appointments. Undergraduate students may register for any available appointment. 

Volunteer opportunity

The university YMCA is looking for tutors for K-12 students this semester. It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone who likes working with children or wants to get more connected to the immigrant community in CU.

If interested, please contact nawctutoring@universityymca.org.

Campus Mental Health Fair:

Student Mental Health Fair will take place on October 25, 2022, 1-3 p.m. in the Illini Rooms at the Union.

Call For Applications: Funded MA/PhD, Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies:

The Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies at the University of Alabama is currently accepting applications for MA and PhD admissions for Fall of 2023.

  • The Strode MA program offers students the unique opportunity to specialize in Renaissance studies at the master’s level. Students admitted to the Strode MA program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for two years (the current MA stipend is $19,500 per year)..
  • The Strode PhD program offers advanced training in Renaissance studies for a select cohort of students who pursue their research interests through an individually tailored plan of study. Students admitted to the Strode PhD program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for five years (the current PhD stipend is $21,500 per year).
  • All MA and PhD students can also take full advantage of the resources of the Strode Program, including travel funding, summer support, and access to a range of programming, such as the Alabama Shakespeare Project, Shakespeare in performance workshops, and lectures by distinguished guest speakers. The University of Alabama is also a member of The Folger Institute. Students and faculty in early modern studies at The University of Alabama are eligible to participate in the Institute’s many cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary workshops and seminars, designed to enhance participants’ research interests.
  • The Strode Program works closely with the Alabama Digital Humanities Center (ADHC) and co-sponsors of the University of Alabama’s international Digital Humanities conference, Digitorium (https://apps.lib.ua.edu/blogs/digitorium/). Strode students have access to the ADHC for support with digital techniques for their research and teaching,

Please note that the deadline for applying for admission to either the MA or the PhD program for the Fall term is December 1.

For more details about the program and the application process visit  https://strode.english.ua.edu/

FLAS Fellowships for English Majors:

Do you study a less commonly taught language (any language except French, German, and Spanish)? Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? If so, consider applying for a Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship for summer 2023 or academic year 2023-24. FLAS fellowships support both undergraduate and graduate study in modern foreign languages in combination with global or area studies. The purpose of the FLAS program is to train students to integrate global knowledge into a future career in areas of national need like cyber security and business, where knowledge of additional languages is crucial. Learn more about FLAS fellowship opportunities through the European Union Center here, and learn more about FLAS opportunities across campus here. Please look out for the FLAS information session in November. Applications will be due in late January.

More help with research:

MONTAGE ARTS JOURNAL:

Montage Arts Journal, the undergraduate literary magazine of UIUC, is now open for submissions. All publishable forms of art—photography, paintings, sketches, digital art, collages, sculptures, poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, drama, and more—are welcome. This semester’s reading period closes December 15th, but submissions can be emailed to montagejournal@gmail.com any time before then. Please see https://montagejournal.wordpress.com for more information. 

DOUBLE YOUR ADVISING, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Beginning 9/22 you can stop by Greg Hall 105 any TUESDAY MORNING between 9:30 and noon or THURSDAY AFTERNOON between 1:00 and 4:00 to meet with Julie Higgs (note that these times have changed since last spring).  Starting September 24 Anna will be there Tuesday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time and then talk to Julie before or afterwards. It’s one-stop shopping!

You can also connect with Julie in the English advising office during her drop-in hours: 1:30-4:00 every other Monday starting September 12.

fall workshops:

Weekly Round-Up

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is illinoisenglish-linktree-qr-code-1024x1024.png
Follow us on social media!

Coming up very soon:

Full Semester Course Drop Deadline: October 14
Deadline for Undergraduate Research Support Grant: October 14
Deadline for Illinois Club Scholarships: October 15
FOCUS Scholars Program: October 16

Read on for more details!

carr reading:

There is a Carr reading this Thursday, 10/20 at 4:30. Room 210 of the Illini Union. The event details are posted here.

Beinecke Scholarship Informational Sessions

The Beinecke Foundation is looking for students who have demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during their undergraduate years. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated U.S. citizen juniors (those expecting to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2023 and August 2024) to pursue graduate studies in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Each scholar receives $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. Preference is given to candidates for whom the awarding of significant financial aid would increase the likelihood of the student’s being able to attend graduate school.

The National and International Scholarships Program will be hosting a two-day informational event for students to learn more about this opportunity. At the in-person information session, attendees will receive an overview of the scholarship. There will be an online info session for those unable to make the in-person event. At the writing workshop, you will get tips on how to write a competitive scholarship packet.  You are encouraged to attend both the info session and writing workshop:

Beinecke Scholarship Information Session (in-person)

Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
Date: October 27, 2022   3:30 – 4:30 pm

Beinecke Scholarship Information Session (online) 

Date: October 28, 2022   9:00 – 10:00 am  
Zoom Registration Link: https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOmrrz4oGdVF1bXcVVti97V3dGg_ANPr   

Beinecke Writing Workshop Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
Date: October 28, 2022   3:00 – 4:00 pm

1-credit course in multisequential novels

If you are seeking a chance to read interesting novels for one credit hour may be interested in enrolling in a class that starts Monday and runs through December. For more information, see the flyer below:

Intro Journals Project Contest | Deadline Nov. 1

The time of AWP Intro Journals Project submissions is nigh. Essentially, the English department collect submissions from creative writing students of all levels then submit their pick of each genre to this national award. For 4 consecutive years, we’ve had either winners or honorable mentions from the University of Illinois. We know you got the stuff to keep up our streak. So, send John Dudek your submissions. Attached, there is a flyer with all the relevant submission information.

Embedded Confidential Advisors

The Women’s Resources Center (WRC) is the designated confidential campus resource related to sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, stalking and abuse within a relationship (sometimes called dating or domestic violence). There are several Confidential Advisors at the WRC who can provide you – or someone looking to support you – with support and advocacy services.

Embedded Advocate Hours: 
TU/WED: 10 am – 5 pm @ BNAACC
M/TH: 11 am – 5 pm @ La Casa

Advising available by appointment | Monday – Friday @ the WRC

Hours may vary. Walk-in appointments offered as available.

Learn more about Advocacy & Support Services, here

Come Explore The Possibilities!

Graduate and Professional School Fair, October 19, Noon – 4 p .m., Illini Union

Are you considering graduate school? The Career Center is hosting a Graduate and Professional School Fair on October, 19, from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Illini Union. This is an excellent opportunity for students of all majors and degree levels to explore advance degrees and talk directly with recruiters from 100+ schools/programs ranging from health, business/management, STEM, education, communication, and more. Health programs include dentistry, health/medical sciences, medical school, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, PA, PT/OT, psychology, public health/public administration, speech language pathology/audiology, and veterinary. The Fair is free and open to all students, alumni, and the public. No registration is needed.

For more information, please visit the Graduate and Professional School Fair 2022 at: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/graduate-and-professional-school-fair

Opening of the Speaking Center:

The University Library is excited to announce the opening of the Speaking Center this fall! Beginning October 18th, students will be able to receive free and personalized public speaking assistance for any presentation and at any stage in the preparation process.

Students can work one-on-one with a trained Speaking Consultant to improve presentations and speeches, attend workshops focused on building lasting speaking skills, or participate in language sessions to build foreign language skills. Students can sign up by visiting https://www.library.illinois.edu/tlas/speaking-center/. At this time, graduate and professional students may only register for Wednesday appointments. Undergraduate students may register for any available appointment. 

Legal Studies Minor Info Session & Pre-Law Magazines

The Pre-Law Advising Services Office will be hosting an Information Session regarding the Legal Studies Minor with Professor Jennifer Pahre on Tuesday, October 18 at 2:00 pm via Zoom.  The brief session will include an overview of the Legal Studies Minor and provide an opportunity for Q&A. Additional information and details are available on the PLAS Events Calendar.

2nd 8-Week and Spring 2023 LEAD Courses

Some leadership courses are being offered through the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) Program that are open to students in ANY major and college. LEAD courses and the Minor in Leadership Studies are a great complement to any major on campus as they help students understand the social and organizational processes that influence effective leadership across diverse contexts.

Fall 2022

If you are looking for a 2nd 8-week course this fall, seats are available in LEAD 140: Harnessing Your Interpersonal Intelligence (CRN 73431)! In this 8-week asynchronous online course, students learn communication strategies to work with others and practice self-awareness, self-management, and interpersonal communication skills in a supportive setting to reach their personal potential as emerging leaders.

Spring 2023

LEAD 260: Foundations of Leadership fulfills a Social & Behavioral Science gen ed and is a required course for the Minor in Leadership Studies. This course is offered every fall, spring, and summer and is open to any student. There will be a fully online section of this course this spring in addition to the in-person lecture and discussion. These are two distinct sections and students will need to register for the modality they prefer.  

  • In Person Section:
    Students will attend lecture AL1 on MW 9 – 9:50 a.m. (CRN 70593) and one of the discussion sections (AD_) that meet on Thurs or Fri each week. Discussion ADL is restricted to students in a living-learning community within University Housing, but the other five discussions are open to any student. Both the lecture and discussion will meet in person; there is not an asynchronous online component to this section.
  • Online Section:
    Section ONL (CRN 74725) will be delivered asynchronously through Canvas with content, activities, and assessments that students will complete each week. There are no scheduled live class sessions.

Additionally, two 8-week asynchronous online courses will be offered this spring:

  • LEAD 470: Leading Professional Organizations and Communities (CRN 70630) is offered during the 1st 8-weeks. This is a great course for students with senior standing to develop their capacity for leadership in complex organizations.
  • LEAD 140: Harnessing Your Interpersonal Intelligence (CRN 70628) will be offered again in the 2nd 8 weeks of the spring semester. This is a great course for undergraduate students to learn communication strategies to work with others and practice self-awareness, self-management, and interpersonal communication skills in a supportive setting to reach their personal potential as emerging leaders.
Dates and Deadlines:

October 14: DROP deadline for full semester classes (and the last chance to petition for grade replacement in a class you’re currently re-taking, or to switch from letter grade to CR/NC, an option only available for elective courses, not for those you are using to satisfy a major, minor, or Gen Ed requirement).  
October 17: 2nd 8-week (aka Part of Term B) classes begin
Oct 17 is also the day that your registration time tickets for Spring 2023 should become visible in Student Self-Service
October 21: Deadline to ADD a POT B course
October 31: Priority registration for Spring 2023 begins (your own registration time will be determined by the schedule available here: https://registrar.illinois.edu/registration/reg-spring-2023/)

Don’t forget these!

The FOCUS Scholars Program is now accepting applications!

FOCUS (Fostering Opportunity, Community, and Unwavering Support) is a year-long program to help eliminate the gap in post-graduation outcomes and starting salaries between underrepresented, first-generation students and their peers to positively impact their career trajectory.

Students selected for the FOCUS program will receive a $2,500 scholarship. A student can directly apply at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1375192482

Deadline for nominations and applications is October 16, 2022 (at 11:59 p.m.)

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER INTERNSHIP

Are you interested in how criminal courts work?  Would you like to see an arraignment, a motion hearing, or a real criminal trial?  Want to meet with Public Defender clients about their cases?  Would you like to help an attorney prepare cases for court?  The Department of Political Science and the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office plan to offer an internship for academic credit in Spring, 2023.   In this internship, students will be awarded credit for their work in the Public Defender’s Office combined with a series of structured academic assignments requiring integration of internship experiences with readings on the political systems, the legal system and constitutional and human rights. This class requires one hour of class time per week, and about six hours per week of work at the internship site.

By Friday, October 14, students seeking to participate in the Public Defender Internship Program must submit an application online at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/592901422. The application consists of a cover letter, informal transcript, resume and writing sample. The cover letter should address each of the following elements: 1) explain your interest in and motivation for undertaking this internship, 2) share your experience in working with only a modest level of direct supervision, and 3) discuss your plans for accommodating participation in the internship in your schedule (including how many other credit hours you plan to carry, whether you will be studying for the LSAT, whether you have other significant time commitments).  All of those materials will be reviewed for a decision on acceptance into the program by the departmental internship committee.

At a minimum, students seeking to participate in this program need (1) to have completed 45 credit hours by Spring 2023 (2) with at least one year of residence on this campus and (3) to have earned a cumulative UIUC grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  They must (4) have completed PS 101: U.S. Government & Politics; and (5) have no arrests or criminal convictions – as an adult or juvenile – or serious campus disciplinary violations involving campus or local law enforcement.  In addition to work in the courthouse, students will need to attend a class for one hour per week on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm.  Submit all applications online at the link above.  

Questions?  Contact Jamie Thomas-Ward at thomas99@illinois.edu

Volunteer opportunity

The university YMCA is looking for tutors for K-12 students this semester. It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone who likes working with children or wants to get more connected to the immigrant community in CU.

If interested, please contact nawctutoring@universityymca.org.

Campus Mental Health Fair:

Student Mental Health Fair will take place on October 25, 2022, 1-3 p.m. in the Illini Rooms at the Union.

Boren Scholarship Informational Events:

The Boren Scholarship provides undergraduate study abroad scholarships up to $25,000 for a full academic year or up to $12,500 for a semester. All scholarships may be used for U.S. citizens to study in Asia, Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East in a language-intensive study abroad program (Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.) These are merit-based scholarships, and approximately 1 in 5 eligible applicants receive awards.

In order to receive the scholarship, award winners must agree that they attempt to work in a paid position for the federal government in an area related to national security—generally the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, or the Intelligence Community within three years of graduation (deferrals possible/encouraged for graduate study). Working for USAID or tenure in the Peace Corps counts in the service requirement. Winners also receive priority-hiring status.  

The campus application deadline is January 2023 for any semester or year of study between June 2023 and March 2024.

If you are interested in applying, please join one of the information sessions (either in person or online) and the application writing workshop.

Boren (Undergraduate) Information Session (in person)
Date: Oct 20, 2022   3:30 – 4:30 pm  
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Boren (Undergraduate) Information Session (online)
Date: Oct 21, 2022   9:00 – 10:00 am  
Zoom Registration Link: https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAud-6trT0iG9DsvOXdYoABsc_LNoOmU0J8  

Boren (Undergraduate) Workshop
This workshop is intended to help you get started on your application for the Boren Scholarship.
Date: Oct 21, 2022   3:00 – 4:00 pm  
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
For more information, undergraduate students should contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website. Graduate students interested in the Boren Fellowship can contact Dana Johnson, Assistant Director of External Fellowships, for more information at dnj@illinois.edu.

THE ILLINOIS CLUB SCHOLARSHIPS 2022-2023:

This year, The Illinois Club will be awarding the following scholarships:

Humanities and Social Sciences Award of $4,000
Engineering and Science Award of $4,000
Global Focus Award of $4,000
Isabelle Purnell Education Award of $4,000
The Judith Life Ikenberry Fine Arts Award of $4,500

Application Deadline: 5 PM, October 15, 2022.

To learn more about the individual scholarships, and to apply, see go.illinois.edu/TICScholarshipApplication. If you have questions, please direct them to scholarship@theillinoisclub.org.

General Eligibility:

You must be an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, have earned at least 60 credit hours by the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester, and graduate no earlier than December 2023. A minimum GPA of 3.0 at both the time of application and winning of award is also required.

ENGL 199 Begins 10/17:

ENGL 199: Writing to get that job begins classes in the second 8-weeks of this semester and is open for enrollment. The newly updated curriculum makes landing an interview easier than ever!

Call For Applications: Funded MA/PhD, Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies:

The Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies at the University of Alabama is currently accepting applications for MA and PhD admissions for Fall of 2023.

  • The Strode MA program offers students the unique opportunity to specialize in Renaissance studies at the master’s level. Students admitted to the Strode MA program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for two years (the current MA stipend is $19,500 per year)..
  • The Strode PhD program offers advanced training in Renaissance studies for a select cohort of students who pursue their research interests through an individually tailored plan of study. Students admitted to the Strode PhD program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for five years (the current PhD stipend is $21,500 per year).
  • All MA and PhD students can also take full advantage of the resources of the Strode Program, including travel funding, summer support, and access to a range of programming, such as the Alabama Shakespeare Project, Shakespeare in performance workshops, and lectures by distinguished guest speakers. The University of Alabama is also a member of The Folger Institute. Students and faculty in early modern studies at The University of Alabama are eligible to participate in the Institute’s many cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary workshops and seminars, designed to enhance participants’ research interests.
  • The Strode Program works closely with the Alabama Digital Humanities Center (ADHC) and co-sponsors of the University of Alabama’s international Digital Humanities conference, Digitorium (https://apps.lib.ua.edu/blogs/digitorium/). Strode students have access to the ADHC for support with digital techniques for their research and teaching,

Please note that the deadline for applying for admission to either the MA or the PhD program for the Fall term is December 1.

For more details about the program and the application process visit  https://strode.english.ua.edu/

FLAS Fellowships for English Majors:

Do you study a less commonly taught language (any language except French, German, and Spanish)? Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? If so, consider applying for a Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship for summer 2023 or academic year 2023-24. FLAS fellowships support both undergraduate and graduate study in modern foreign languages in combination with global or area studies. The purpose of the FLAS program is to train students to integrate global knowledge into a future career in areas of national need like cyber security and business, where knowledge of additional languages is crucial. Learn more about FLAS fellowship opportunities through the European Union Center here, and learn more about FLAS opportunities across campus here. Please look out for the FLAS information session in November. Applications will be due in late January.

undergraduate research support grant:

This grant provides students from all disciplines with the funds necessary to conduct research or creative projects during the academic year both on and off campus (including summer terms). Awards will be up to $2,000 and are meant to cover research travel costs, living expenses incurred during academic breaks (i.e., winter break and summer terms, NOT regular semester living expenses), and materials or other ancillary costs.

For details, eligibility requirements, and link to the application please visit: http://go.illinois.edu/OUR_RSG

The deadline to apply is October 14, 2022 at 11:59pm. For questions or concerns, contact Office of Undergraduate Research at ugresearch@illinois.edu.

English student association meetings and more!

You are invited to attend the weekly ESA meetings: Wednesdays from 6-7 in the Mary Kay Peer Lounge (basement of the English building), for example. If you want to know more email esaillinois1867@gmail.com.

Or, get involved with Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society if you want to connect with fellow English students, writers, and lovers of literature. You will have opportunities to gain experience publishing, speaking as a panelist at conferences, and/or meeting English students from around the world. For more information, email sigmataudeltaillinois@gmail.com.

More help with research:

MONTAGE ARTS JOURNAL:

Montage Arts Journal, the undergraduate literary magazine of UIUC, is now open for submissions. All publishable forms of art—photography, paintings, sketches, digital art, collages, sculptures, poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, drama, and more—are welcome. This semester’s reading period closes December 15th, but submissions can be emailed to montagejournal@gmail.com any time before then. Please see https://montagejournal.wordpress.com for more information. 

DOUBLE YOUR ADVISING, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Beginning 9/22 you can stop by Greg Hall 105 any TUESDAY MORNING between 9:30 and noon or THURSDAY AFTERNOON between 1:00 and 4:00 to meet with Julie Higgs (note that these times have changed since last spring).  Starting September 24 Anna will be there Tuesday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time and then talk to Julie before or afterwards. It’s one-stop shopping!

You can also connect with Julie in the English advising office during her drop-in hours: 1:30-4:00 every other Monday starting September 12.

fall workshops:

Weekly Round-Up

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is illinoisenglish-linktree-qr-code-1024x1024.png
Follow us on social media!

Coming up very soon (see below for more details):

Oct 7: Friday Forum (with free lunch at YMCA)
Oct 7: In Search of Marcel Proust (RBML)
Oct 7: deadline to apply for publicity internship

Voice reading:

The first VOICE readings of the semester will take place on October 13th at the Literary Bar at 7:00 p.m.

The FOCUS Scholars Program is now accepting applications!

FOCUS (Fostering Opportunity, Community, and Unwavering Support) is a year-long program to help eliminate the gap in post-graduation outcomes and starting salaries between underrepresented, first-generation students and their peers to positively impact their career trajectory.

Students selected for the FOCUS program will receive a $2,500 scholarship. A student can directly apply at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1375192482

Deadline for nominations and applications is October 16, 2022 (at 11:59 p.m.)

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER INTERNSHIP

Are you interested in how criminal courts work?  Would you like to see an arraignment, a motion hearing, or a real criminal trial?  Want to meet with Public Defender clients about their cases?  Would you like to help an attorney prepare cases for court?  The Department of Political Science and the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office plan to offer an internship for academic credit in Spring, 2023.   In this internship, students will be awarded credit for their work in the Public Defender’s Office combined with a series of structured academic assignments requiring integration of internship experiences with readings on the political systems, the legal system and constitutional and human rights. This class requires one hour of class time per week, and about six hours per week of work at the internship site.

By Friday, October 14, students seeking to participate in the Public Defender Internship Program must submit an application online at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/592901422. The application consists of a cover letter, informal transcript, resume and writing sample. The cover letter should address each of the following elements: 1) explain your interest in and motivation for undertaking this internship, 2) share your experience in working with only a modest level of direct supervision, and 3) discuss your plans for accommodating participation in the internship in your schedule (including how many other credit hours you plan to carry, whether you will be studying for the LSAT, whether you have other significant time commitments).  All of those materials will be reviewed for a decision on acceptance into the program by the departmental internship committee.

At a minimum, students seeking to participate in this program need (1) to have completed 45 credit hours by Spring 2023 (2) with at least one year of residence on this campus and (3) to have earned a cumulative UIUC grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  They must (4) have completed PS 101: U.S. Government & Politics; and (5) have no arrests or criminal convictions – as an adult or juvenile – or serious campus disciplinary violations involving campus or local law enforcement.  In addition to work in the courthouse, students will need to attend a class for one hour per week on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm.  Submit all applications online at the link above.  

Questions?  Contact Jamie Thomas-Ward at thomas99@illinois.edu

Friday Forum + Conversation Café

Join the University YMCA and Diversity & Social Justice Education for Fall 2022 Friday Forum + Conversation Café Series, Our Community in Action: Advancing Social Justice in Champaign Urbana and Beyond. We will hear from community leaders tackling our most pressing public concerns through an unwavering pursuit of social justice.

Friday, October 7th
noon-1pm at the University YMCA (1001 Wright St.)
Anthony Brown
Professional baritone and international peace ambassador discusses music, peacemaking and his upcoming performance of Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in his Word and Song Accompanied by Phillip De Luna. FREE LUNCH PROVIDED

ESA Presents English + sECONDARY EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

If you’re at all interested in being a high school English teacher post-graduation, join ESA for an informational event all about the English + Secondary Education Track! Two upperclassmen in the track will be explaining the requirements, discussing the benefits and applications of the program, and telling their personal experiences. We will be in English Building room #104 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12th. Hope to see you there!

Volunteer opportunity

The university YMCA is looking for tutors for K-12 students this semester. It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone who likes working with children or wants to get more connected to the immigrant community in CU.

If interested, please contact nawctutoring@universityymca.org.

Campus Mental Health Fair:

Student Mental Health Fair will take place on October 25, 2022, 1-3 p.m. in the Illini Rooms at the Union.

Boren Scholarship Informational Events:

The Boren Scholarship provides undergraduate study abroad scholarships up to $25,000 for a full academic year or up to $12,500 for a semester. All scholarships may be used for U.S. citizens to study in Asia, Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East in a language-intensive study abroad program (Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.) These are merit-based scholarships, and approximately 1 in 5 eligible applicants receive awards.

In order to receive the scholarship, award winners must agree that they attempt to work in a paid position for the federal government in an area related to national security—generally the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, or the Intelligence Community within three years of graduation (deferrals possible/encouraged for graduate study). Working for USAID or tenure in the Peace Corps counts in the service requirement. Winners also receive priority-hiring status.  

The campus application deadline is January 2023 for any semester or year of study between June 2023 and March 2024.

If you are interested in applying, please join one of the information sessions (either in person or online) and the application writing workshop.

Boren (Undergraduate) Information Session (in person)
Date: Oct 20, 2022   3:30 – 4:30 pm  
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Boren (Undergraduate) Information Session (online)
Date: Oct 21, 2022   9:00 – 10:00 am  
Zoom Registration Link: https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAud-6trT0iG9DsvOXdYoABsc_LNoOmU0J8  

Boren (Undergraduate) Workshop
This workshop is intended to help you get started on your application for the Boren Scholarship.
Date: Oct 21, 2022   3:00 – 4:00 pm  
Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building
For more information, undergraduate students should contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website. Graduate students interested in the Boren Fellowship can contact Dana Johnson, Assistant Director of External Fellowships, for more information at dnj@illinois.edu.

Christine Adams, “Fashion and Politics

You are invited to attend a lecture, “Fashion and Politics: Elégantes and Merveilleuses under the Directory and Beyond,” by Christine Adams, Professor of History at St. Mary’s College.

The lecture (with visuals) takes place on Tuesday October 11 at 4pm in 1000 Lincoln Hall.

Dates and Deadlines:

October 14: DROP deadline for full semester classes (and the last chance to petition for grade replacement in a class you’re currently re-taking, or to switch from letter grade to CR/NC, an option only available for elective courses, not for those you are using to satisfy a major, minor, or Gen Ed requirement).  
October 17: 2nd 8-week (aka Part of Term B) classes begin
Oct 17 is also the day that your registration time tickets for Spring 2023 should become visible in Student Self-Service
October 21: Deadline to ADD a POT B course
October 31: Priority registration for Spring 2023 begins (your own registration time will be determined by the schedule available here: https://registrar.illinois.edu/registration/reg-spring-2023/)

Don’t forget these!

THE ILLINOIS CLUB SCHOLARSHIPS 2022-2023:

This year, The Illinois Club will be awarding the following scholarships:

Humanities and Social Sciences Award of $4,000
Engineering and Science Award of $4,000
Global Focus Award of $4,000
Isabelle Purnell Education Award of $4,000
The Judith Life Ikenberry Fine Arts Award of $4,500

Application Deadline: 5 PM, October 15, 2022.

To learn more about the individual scholarships, and to apply, see go.illinois.edu/TICScholarshipApplication. If you have questions, please direct them to scholarship@theillinoisclub.org.

General Eligibility:

You must be an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, have earned at least 60 credit hours by the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester, and graduate no earlier than December 2023. A minimum GPA of 3.0 at both the time of application and winning of award is also required.

VOICE Creative Writing Readings:

The first VOICE readings of the semester will take place on October 13th at the Literary Bar at 7:00 p.m.

Jason Pfister, Matthew Fash, and Erin Hoffman will be reading from their works on this day.

RBML Event 10/7: In Search of Marcel Proust:

Are you curious to find out who Marcel Proust was, or how to say his name? Are you a devoted reader? Join Professor François Proulx (Department of French and Italian) and RBML curator Caroline Szylowicz for a conversation about Proust’s life and works. The 100th anniversary of his death will be marked with an exploration of his books, manuscripts and letters. All are welcome, and refreshments will be served.

ENGL 199 Begins 10/17:

ENGL 199: Writing to get that job begins classes in the second 8-weeks of this semester and is open for enrollment. The newly updated curriculum makes landing an interview easier than ever!

University of Illinois Press Seeking Publicity Intern:

The University of Illinois press is seeking a Publicity Intern to assist the University of Illinois Press Senior Publicity Manager with publicizing UI press books via creation of press releases, researching media contacts, filing, adding author events to the press calendar, pulling quotes from book reviews, and other related tasks. Strong writing and communications skills, intellectual curiosity, close attention to detail and organization, and interest in books and publishing or marketing and PR, good problem-solving skills and a high level of comfort using general programs such as MS word and excel are required. English and Creative Writing majors are strongly encouraged to apply.

Send a cover letter and resume to Heather Gernenz by October 7. For more information, send an email to gernenz2@illinois.edu or visit https://secure.osfa.illinois.edu/vjb/detail.aspx?type=fws&postid=45913.

Call For Applications: Funded MA/PhD, Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies:

The Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies at the University of Alabama is currently accepting applications for MA and PhD admissions for Fall of 2023.

  • The Strode MA program offers students the unique opportunity to specialize in Renaissance studies at the master’s level. Students admitted to the Strode MA program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for two years (the current MA stipend is $19,500 per year)..
  • The Strode PhD program offers advanced training in Renaissance studies for a select cohort of students who pursue their research interests through an individually tailored plan of study. Students admitted to the Strode PhD program receive enhanced graduate stipends, and they are fully funded for five years (the current PhD stipend is $21,500 per year).
  • All MA and PhD students can also take full advantage of the resources of the Strode Program, including travel funding, summer support, and access to a range of programming, such as the Alabama Shakespeare Project, Shakespeare in performance workshops, and lectures by distinguished guest speakers. The University of Alabama is also a member of The Folger Institute. Students and faculty in early modern studies at The University of Alabama are eligible to participate in the Institute’s many cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary workshops and seminars, designed to enhance participants’ research interests.
  • The Strode Program works closely with the Alabama Digital Humanities Center (ADHC) and co-sponsors of the University of Alabama’s international Digital Humanities conference, Digitorium (https://apps.lib.ua.edu/blogs/digitorium/). Strode students have access to the ADHC for support with digital techniques for their research and teaching,

Please note that the deadline for applying for admission to either the MA or the PhD program for the Fall term is December 1.

For more details about the program and the application process visit  https://strode.english.ua.edu/

FLAS Fellowships for English Majors:

Do you study a less commonly taught language (any language except French, German, and Spanish)? Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? If so, consider applying for a Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship for summer 2023 or academic year 2023-24. FLAS fellowships support both undergraduate and graduate study in modern foreign languages in combination with global or area studies. The purpose of the FLAS program is to train students to integrate global knowledge into a future career in areas of national need like cyber security and business, where knowledge of additional languages is crucial. Learn more about FLAS fellowship opportunities through the European Union Center here, and learn more about FLAS opportunities across campus here. Please look out for the FLAS information session in November. Applications will be due in late January.

undergraduate research support grant:

This grant provides students from all disciplines with the funds necessary to conduct research or creative projects during the academic year both on and off campus (including summer terms). Awards will be up to $2,000 and are meant to cover research travel costs, living expenses incurred during academic breaks (i.e., winter break and summer terms, NOT regular semester living expenses), and materials or other ancillary costs.

For details, eligibility requirements, and link to the application please visit: http://go.illinois.edu/OUR_RSG

The deadline to apply is October 14, 2022 at 11:59pm. For questions or concerns, contact Office of Undergraduate Research at ugresearch@illinois.edu.

English student association meetings and more!

You are invited to attend the weekly ESA meetings: Wednesdays from 6-7 in the Mary Kay Peer Lounge (basement of the English building), for example. If you want to know more email esaillinois1867@gmail.com.

Or, get involved with Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society if you want to connect with fellow English students, writers, and lovers of literature. You will have opportunities to gain experience publishing, speaking as a panelist at conferences, and/or meeting English students from around the world. For more information, email sigmataudeltaillinois@gmail.com.

More help with research:

MONTAGE ARTS JOURNAL:

Montage Arts Journal, the undergraduate literary magazine of UIUC, is now open for submissions. All publishable forms of art—photography, paintings, sketches, digital art, collages, sculptures, poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, drama, and more—are welcome. This semester’s reading period closes December 15th, but submissions can be emailed to montagejournal@gmail.com any time before then. Please see https://montagejournal.wordpress.com for more information. 

DOUBLE YOUR ADVISING, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Beginning 9/22 you can stop by Greg Hall 105 any TUESDAY MORNING between 9:30 and noon or THURSDAY AFTERNOON between 1:00 and 4:00 to meet with Julie Higgs (note that these times have changed since last spring).  Starting September 24 Anna will be there Tuesday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time and then talk to Julie before or afterwards. It’s one-stop shopping!

You can also connect with Julie in the English advising office during her drop-in hours: 1:30-4:00 every other Monday starting September 12.

fall workshops: