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…
Studying English
Studying English, Writing
Science Fiction Builds Mental Resiliency in Young Readers
Dean Esther Jones explains the ways science fiction can benefit young readers, especially during Covid-19 times. Young people who are “hooked” on watching fantasy or reading science fiction may be on to something. Contrary to a common misperception that reading this genre is an unworthy practice, reading science fiction and fantasy may help young people cope, especially…
Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English, Writing
Personal Achievements During Covid-19: Clark Alum Lee V. Gaines on Rallying Pride in Difficult Times
Clark Alum Lee V. Gaines writes on the conflicting emotions that arose after receiving an award during Covid-19, and rallying pride as best she can.I recently learned I won an award. I received my first ever regional Edward R. Murrow award for best news series. Now, I’m up for a national award, which is cool.…
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.…
Career Paths for the English Major, English Department News, Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English, Writing
A Note of Inspiration from Professor Kourtney Senquiz: Earning her Ph.D. and the Importance of Academic Support
Professor Kourtney Senquiz speaks on the academic support she received while completing her Ph.D. as a first-generation college student. February 18th, what would have been Toni Morrison’s 89th birthday, I defended my dissertation, The African American Gothic Double, and earned my Ph.D. from the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass Amherst. My dissertation…
English Department News, Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English, Writing
Michael Carolan’s Creative Writing Nonfiction Course Takes on the 2020 Climate Crisis
Olivia Simonds revisits Michael Carolan’s creative writing course, which is now engaging with the environment and confronting reality.By Olivia Simonds It’s gray and raining on a Monday as students slowly file into Michael Carolan’s Creative Writing Nonfiction class. They are a reserved group of eight, but present nonetheless. The room hums with anticipation. When I…
Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English
The 2019 English Capstone
Davina Tomlin writes on her time in the 2019 English Capstone class, lead by Professor James Elliot.After years of study with the English Department, working in the office and attending all sorts of English Department events, when I first walked into the English Capstone, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Capstones at Clark—I find—are…
Career Paths for the English Major, English Department News, Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English
From Clark to Iceland and Beyond: Student Alum Nicola Imbracsio Speaks on Studying Abroad and Teaching Post-Graduation
Nicola Imbracsio reflects on studying at Clark and abroad and the ways they have inspired her teaching work today.As a first-generation college student starting at Clark University in the Fall of 1994, I didn’t know much about college. But I did know two things: I wanted to be an English major and I wanted to…
Career Paths for the English Major, Notes from Majors and Minors, Studying English, Writing
In the Market Race, English Majors Get Ahead
Olivia Simonds writes on the importance of English Majors in our modern global economy.It could be argued that in English majors’ down-time—from literary essays, critical readings and textual analysis—they are often met with the moral dilemma of where such studies will take them, perhaps instigated by their fellow STEM majors, a prying but caring parent,…