By Monica SagerAssistant Professor Justin Shaw’s “Advanced Studies in Shakespeare” have gone beyond typical studies of The Bard to explore race, health, sexuality, and more. Students have read a variety of stories, but recently they were able to dive deeper into James Ijames’ “Fat Ham” after the playwright visited the class. “It’s a modern adaptation…
English Department News
English Department Events, English Department News, Studying English
Sophia Dahlin’s Poetry Readings from Natch and Generative Workshop
By Kira HoustonIn the Higgins lounge on a quiet Autumn evening, students settled into couches with their eyes turned to guest reader and poet Sophia Dahlin. Dahlin visited campus as part of the Clark Poets and Writers Reading Series, an initiative which seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogues and center minority voices while giving students an…
English Department News
Professor Tim Connolly: from Journalist to DA Spokesman
by Monica Sager Timothy Connolly teaches news writing at Clark University. The position truly encompasses his career for the past forty plus years. “I learned how to read before going to school by reading newspapers at home,” Connolly said. “My family was a newspaper reading family.” His family received the Pittsville Union each morning and…
English Department Events, English Department News
Regie Gibson’s “Letter and Spirit: The Rants, Chants, and Coos of a Literary Musician”
By Monica Sager Regie Gibson is not just a lecturer at Clark University or the head instructor for the Mass Poetry “Poets in Schools Program.” The widely-loved poet is also a literary performer who has presented across the United States, Cuba, and Europe. Clark students were welcomed to hear Gibson’s poetry April 22 for an…
English Department Events, English Department News
Professor James Elliot and Retirement
With his retirement close on the horizon, Monica Sager interviews Professor Jay Elliot about his life, career, and future plans.By Monica Sager James Elliott came to Clark University in the fall of 1971. He was hired to teach American literature in the English Department. At the time, James Beard, another professor who Elliott called his…
Career Paths for the English Major, English Department News, Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English
Why did so many Clark Employees Major in English?
Curious about the number of Clark employees who use skills related to the English major, we reached out via email to Clark employees to see who had majored in English as an undergrad. We were pleased at the variety of responses we received. Interestingly, the English major was useful in a variety of contexts. Why…
English Department News, Writing
Less Pomp, More Circumstance: Earning a “Driveway Diploma” in the Midst of Covid-19
by Rachel Lloyd Like most (if not all) of Clark’s 2020 graduates, I spent a large part of Sunday May 24th, the date of our virtual commencement, in front my computer. I had my laptop in front of me, but from my parents’ converted-garage, where I have been living since the start of this…
English Department News
Summer Reading Recommendations from The English Department
The pandemic has changed the way we see and interact with people and the world around us. One significant effect is that it has left many of us with a great deal more time in the day (or so it seems…somehow it definitely doesn’t feel that way). The lack of commute, group activities, and outings…
English Department Events, English Department News, Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English
A Clarkie Reflects on Presenting at the 51st Annual NeMLA Convention
Azariah Kurlantzick reflects on presenting their honors thesis at the 51st Annual NeMLA Convention, the final event they attended before Clark shut down.As a senior, it’s easy to feel like I’m losing a lot over the next few months. Graduation is online, Senior Week is canceled, my final Spring Fling took place virtually. I have…
Career Paths for the English Major, English Department News, Studying English, Writing
Professor Karen Osborn on Writing Her Novel, THE MUSIC BOOK
New York City-based writer Linda Shockley speaks with Clark University Professor and author Karen Osborn on her fifth published novel, THE MUSIC BOOK.By Linda Shockley Congratulations on the publication of your fifth novel, THE MUSIC BOOK. I think this woman musician in the male preserve of chamber music in the 1950s is a fascinating tale.…
