English Language and Literature Commons^™

A Better Question Would Be: Are We The Watchmen?, Alexander Lawriw

Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing

This assignment was meant to be a literary analysis of the famous graphic novel, Watchmen, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. In this analysis, we were supposed to look at some of the various writing/visual strategies of the novel and note how these strategies either related to or did not connect with various Catholic Intellectual Traditions. I, personally, decided to look at two of the main characters of the book, Rorschach and The Comedian, and examine how they related to the deeper Catholic and Philosophical understanding of what it means to be human. In particular, I …

Stereotypes Of Disabled In Society: A Call For Change, Emily Kimble

Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing

The purpose of this assignment was to research and write in an academic discipline. Students were asked to conduct academic research and to produce an argument about a “super.” The argument required that one joins an academic conversation, as he or she practiced the research and writing conventions expected of a member of an academic discipline or community. To get started, I began thinking about a topic—something that was not only important to me, but also important to society. I looked at the links provided to me by my professor that gave background information on numerous superheroes. After analyzing the …

Anti-Gay Legislation In Russia: Western Perspectives, Kelsey A. Clayback

Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing

My writing process first began when my English 200 professor, Dr. Kisel, assigned our final informative synthesis essay. We were given a list of topics to choose from, all of which addressed different aspects of censorship in Russia. I chose the topic of the controversial gay propaganda law enacted by President Vladimir Putin in modern-day Russia. As a class, we met in the library and learned how to find appropriate sources using UD’s online databases. We were given the assignment of finding and summarizing five credible sources for our essay. Next, we were to narrow the sources down to four …

Love Vs. Capitalism, Blake R. Coury

Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing

My purpose in writing this Summary and Response paper was to take a deep look at Norris’ essay, The Secret Ingredient, and focus on a main aspect that I found to be important to me. I am trying to show, using Norris’ essay as evidence, that I agree with Norris’ assertion that people are too materialistic today and that people should be focuses on love instead. The hardest challenge for me when I was working on this paper was trying to balance between using textual evidence and using my own words. I wanted to make sure that I provided …

Breaking Through The Veneer, Julia K. Hall

Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing

I initially approached this paper merely as an assignment for my English 100 class, but I became increasingly enthusiastic as I continued to develop my thoughts. This ordinary assignment transformed into a fun, exciting process. I pondered my favorite books, my influential teachers, and my childhood before beginning to write. The conclusions regarding my personal identity as a reader and a writer that I make in this paper were revealed to me through my reflection. After a few drafts and a trip to the Write Place, I have produced an essay that mirrors my personal literacy journey.

This Honey Bunny Ain't So Funny, Molly E. Moesner

Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing

This assignment consisted of recounting an experience or time when you learned either a primary of secondary literacy. After a few brief brainstorming exercises including a five-minute free-write, my mind was instantly drawn to an experience I had when I was younger. This experience stuck out in particular, not only because it was the foundation of my ability to read, but also because it was my first known embarrassing story. Once I decided on this topic, I began jotting down as many details from that time as possible. I eventually pieced together my thoughts and began composing the narrative, adding …

Revision In The Multiversity: What Composition Can Learn From The Superhero, David Hyman

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

Constant and ongoing revision is the compositional tactic through which many contemporary superhero narratives negotiate the powerful struggle between reiteration of the genre’s past, and creative expression of its future. Instead of a gradual succession of improved renditions of a text, each one effacing and superseding the imperfections of its predecessors, revision is revealed as the production of multiple versions whose differences and diversities are “capable of being in uncertainties”, as Keats describes the creative attitude which he terms Negative Capability: ontologically equal textual variations that wear their inconsistencies openly, and reject the pressure to resolve their multiplicities into the …

September 13, 2015: Ellis Series Kick-Off Event: New Discussion Forum, Department Of English

Gleanings: Department of English Blog Archive

The Department of English Anthony Ellis Scholarly Speakers Series featuring The New Discussion Forum

The Big Data Debate Today, Bridget Fahey

Pop Culture Intersections

"...Big data refers to things one can do at a large scale that cannot be done at a smaller one, to extract new insights or create new forms of value, in ways that change markets, organizations, the relationship between citizens and governments, and more."1 Today, technology is more a part of our lives than ever before. With more and more people all over the world gravitating towards social media and using sites such as Twitter and Facebook, more of our private lives is available to others than ever before. In his article "Big Data and Privacy" Tom Price explores the …

The Impact Of Social Media On Society, Jacob Amedie

Pop Culture Intersections

It is the objective of this article to present evidence from several researches that were done by many scholars in different environment that distinctly demonstrates the negative impact of social media in three main categories. First, social media fosters a false sense of online "connections" and superficial friendships leading to emotional and psychological problems. The Second harm of social media is that it can become easily addictive taking away family and personal time as well as diminish interpersonal skills, leading to antisocial behavior. Lastly, social media has become a tool for criminals, predators and terrorists enabling them to commit illegal …

Corporate Standardized Takeover And Wasted Tax Dollars: The Misappropriation Of Technology In Public Schools And The Unfair Burden Placed On Teachers, Rachel Jepsen

Pop Culture Intersections

Throughout this article, I will be discussing the technological integration of computer programs, iPad infrastructure, and online testing into common public school state curriculums, grades kindergarten through twelfth. I will first explain how technology does not always have a negative presence, and how when used appropriately, can provide limitless new opportunities for both students and teachers. Then I will assess what the current common method of integrating technology is and explain why it isn't working in an effective way. Following my discussion of why the current system isn't working, I will discuss how the integration of technology in the public …

Finding Common Ground: Abortion, Television, And The Changing American Culture, Meghan Shain

Pop Culture Intersections

As Oscar Wilde once said, "life imitates art far more than art imitates life", but there is a reciprocal relationship between the two. The more society talks about an issue, the more we are going to see that issue present in television, which then spurs even more discussion on that topic. Today, we use the media to understand what is important and popular in our society. Conversely, the media uses society to capture polarizing topics, such as abortion, to attract viewers. Media critics often argue that television has too large of an impact on developing societies perspectives. However, the viewpoint …

Instagram: The Real Stranger Danger, Sarina Kong

Pop Culture Intersections

A stranger, in simple terms, is best defined as a person with whom one has no personal acquaintance. Society constantly warns children from a young age to not accept candy from, get in a car with, and most importantly talk to strangers. Even after growing up, adults are still warned against going places alone, meeting people online, and putting their trust in people they have never met. The underlying message is this: strangers equal danger. Despite these frequent warnings, social media has found a way to glamorize strangers and make it socially acceptable to interact with them. Disguised under the …

Online Dating Technology Effects On Interpersonal Relationships, Anabel Homnack

Pop Culture Intersections

The trend of online dating has been around since the emergence of the Internet. In the generation before the online era, people would meet face-to-face in cafes, on streets or at bars or even on airplanes. People make initial contact based on a number of cues and preferences, getting to know one another in person. Today these coincidental or so to say "meant to be" moments seem to be non-existent. Why have they become such a rarity? Is it because we know that there is an easy way out? What will it take for people to be as straightforward and …

Morality Of Pirating Media, Matthew Holbrook

Pop Culture Intersections

This paper will explore the evolution and morality of pirating media not through accusation but by giving data and facts to decide not only the future of media but whether these pirates are actually moral versions of Robin Hood. I will explore this topic through the lens of the pirate starting with a background on the beginning of piracy; explain the illegality of copyright infringement, inform the reader about what happens to caught assailants, and the psychology of why more and more of the US population are illegally downloading media. I am investigating this topic not to point a finger …

Heirloom: A Piper's Orchard Abecadarian, Shin Yu Pai

The Goose

Poetry by Shin Yu Pai

Petrocan, Madelaine C. Longman Ms,

The Goose

Poetry by Madelaine Longman

Countersong: Rising Or Falling, Jonathan Skinner

The Goose

A recording, analysis and poetic translation of countersong between two Hermit thrushes (Catharus guttatis) recorded in the mountains of Northern New Mexico (United States) on 19 July 2015.

Brushfire, Ariel Gordon

The Goose

“Brushfire” concerns itself with how people use urban forests, from indecent exposure to poaching to teenage drinking party-bonfires that get out of control. Though it could be construed as a manifesto on walking-in-the-woods, it also touches on some of the conflicts inherent in urban/nature experiences.

The Stag Head Spoke By Erina Harris, Joel Deshaye

The Goose

Joel Deshaye reviews Erina Harris's book of poetry entitled The Stag Head Spoke.

Ringing Here & There: A Nature Calendar By Brian Bartlett, Joel Deshaye

The Goose

Joel Deshaye reviews Brian Bartlett's Ringing Here & There: A Nature Calendar

The Oxford Handbook Of Ecocriticism Edited By Greg Garrard, Camilla Nelson Dr

The Goose

Camilla Nelson reviews The Oxford Handbook of Ecocriticism, edited by Greg Garrard

Gardens, A Collection Of Stories, Jacob Wilbers

Canterbury Scholars

The inspiration for this collection comes from my mother's family. My mother grew up with three siblings - two sisters and a brother - in urban Chicago after her parents migrated from Mexico in the 1960s. The interrelated stories here are loosely based on real-life events that occurred to this family as my mother and her siblings grew up.

Fields Of Splendor, Sabrina Barreto

Canterbury Scholars

No abstract provided.

Subduction Zone By Emily Mcgiffin, Kelly Shepherd

The Goose

Kelly Shepherd's review of Subduction Zone by Emily McGiffin.

July 16, 2015: New Issues 20th Anniversary, Department Of English

Gleanings: Department of English Blog Archive

A special gathering of the Kalamazoo community, writers, and Creative Writing and English alumni to celebrate 20 years of New Issues Poetry & Prose. Featuring music, readings, and an art sale.

Bridging The Distances: Women Writers Exploring The Nightmare Of Vietnam, Christina Triezenberg

Christina Triezenberg

This essay seeks to challenge the now-common practice of excluding Vietnam-era antiwar verse from contemporary literary anthologies by exploring the works produced by professional and amateur female poets who, in many cases, had witnessed the war firsthand and reflected on their experiences in verse that depicts the often harsh realities of this still-contested conflict. By exploring poetry written by women who served in a variety of capacities during the war, this essay underscores the repeated attempts made by women writers to bridge the distances between the home front and the battlefront and offers a compelling argument about the importance of …

Confessions Of An American Ginseng Addict, Addison Davis James

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Confessions of an American Ginseng Addict uses the Lazy Branch Holler in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky as a setting for a creative nonfiction work, which uses history, confession, remembrances, and digressions to tell the story of a man dealing with loss, mental health issues, environmental sustainability, and the power of ginseng. In the style of Desert Solitaire and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the narrative is a discursive work of raw unadulterated gonzo writing.

The Dystopian Dickens: Expectant Of Hard Times, Micaela L. Hamid

Senior Honors Theses

As part of this thesis, the novel Expectant will parody different elements of two of Charles Dickens’ novels with their dystopian, futuristic setting. Expectant replicates the themes of disappointment and emotional deprivation from Great Expectations (1860-61), and dehumanization and the struggle between fancy and reason from Hard Times (1854). The parody will draw parallels from the plotlines, characters, and symbols of these novels to further cement the similarities of the themes employed with themes popularized more recently by novels of the dystopian genre.

The mission of the project is to sell the novel, Expectant, to publishers on the basis …

What's "Really Real": David Foster Wallace And The Pursuit Of Sincerity In Infinite Jest, Henry Clayton

Honors Theses

Throughout his literary career, David Foster Wallace articulated the problems associated with the profusion of irony in contemporary society. In this thesis I assert that his novel Infinite Jest promotes a shift from the reliance on irony and subversion to a celebration of the principles of sincerity. The emphasis on sincerity makes Infinite Jest a landmark novel in the canon of American fiction, as Wallace employs postmodern formal techniques, such as irony, metafiction, fragmentation, and maximalism, in the interest of promoting traditional, non-ironic values of emotion, community, and spirituality. I draw from works of postmodern theory and criticism to bolster …