The YAWP: Villanova's Graduate English Program Blog

The IRISH SEMINAR 2012: Contemporary Irish Theatre June 11 – June 29, 2012 The 2012 University of Notre Dame IRISH SEMINAR convenes a sterling cast of international experts, scholars and practitioners to explore contemporary Irish dramatic and theatrical landscapes and discern current patterns of dramaturgy in culturally and theatrically significant plays written in and about Ireland since 1980. This three-week series of presentations, seminars and workshops offers participants an opportunity to partake in seminars, lectures and workshops at the world famous Abbey Theatre with world renowned academics, scholars, directors, actors, critics and reviewers. Among the topics to be discussed are: patterns of history and memory, use of meta-theatre, the enabling and disabling uses of myth, and the role of narrative and monologue in contemporary Irish theatre. Click here to view the Seminar website for more information on admission, accommodations and fellowships. The deadline fo...

Dr. Gavin Wilk, a former Villanova student, will be on campus on February 20th to deliver a talk entitled “Resolute revolutionaries: Joseph McGarrity and the militant Irish republican networks in the United States, 1922-1940.” He has just completed a Ph.D. in history and used the Villanova Special Collections for his dissertation. Dr. Wilk will discuss Joseph McGarrity's leadership of the US-based republican organization, Clan na Gael, the local and national organizational structure of the Clan in Philadelphia and the U.S. He will explore McGarrity’s strong ties with Irish Republican Army veterans who had emigrated to the US after the Irish Civil War, and will include stories of leading Irish republicans in Philadelphia and New York. In addition, the discussion with detail McGarrity's involvement with the Irish Hospitals Sweepstake as well as his major role in an IRA bombing campaign in England during 1939. Dr, Wilk will also describe the resources used for his research...

If you are interested in  films, books, music, television and games, check out this new user-generated review site, 21words . Three English Literature research students at the University of Sheffield have recently established the site and are encouraging budding writers to post their creative insights into a chosen genre within a strict word limit. Click here to view the site.

Mark your calendars for this spring's career fairs! Arts and Business will be on Tuesday, February 7th in the  Villanova Room from 1-5 p.m . Science, Engineering and Technology will be Wednesday, February 8th in the Villanova Room from 1-5 p.m. This year’s fair is drawing employers in record numbers (70+ for Arts and Business, 40+ for Science, Engineering and Technology), all of whom will be in attendance to speak with students about opportunities at their organizations. Click here to see the list of attending employers Both career fairs are open to ALL MAJORS and CLASS YEARS, so if you are looking for an internship, full time job, or just want to connect with employers – you should not miss it!

Award winning poet CD Wright will be on campus this Thursday, February 2nd to kick off Villanova's 14th annual Literary Festival. Wright's reading is free and open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Connelly Center Cinema. A reception and book signing will follow. We hope to see you there! Click here for more information on the 14th Annual Villanova Literary Festival.

Don't forget to RSVP by January 25 for the Graduate Student Council's Winter Social. This year's event will take place at 8 pm in the East Lounge, Dougherty Hall . All graduate students over 21 are invited and may bring a guest (also over 21). Be sure to bring your wildcard for admission. Drinks, light snacks, and music provided. Click here to view the flyer

Kathleen Hynes won third place for her submission to the 2011 Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest hosted by the Ayn Rand Institute. Congratulations Katie for standing out from over 2,200 submissions! Click here  to view the list of winners and contest information.

Kathleen Hynes won third place for her submission to the 2011 Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest hosted by the Ayn Rand Institute. Congratulations Katie for standing out from over 2,200 submissions! Click here to view the list of winners and contest information.

Graduate English students, along with a guest, are cordially invited to a holiday open house on Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the home of Dr. Lauren Shohet. Please RSVP via email to Dr. Hicks by Friday, December 9th.

The Graduate English Department is happy to introduce a new Independent Study option, which permits students to research and share information about non-academic career options for students with an M.A. in English. Below is a description of the Professional Research Option (PRO). Please let Dr. Hicks know if you have questions about this 3-credit independent study. Students who would like to register for this option can contact Susan Burns. The Professional Research Option (PRO) is a three-credit independent study in which students identify one or a cluster of jobs or professions in which an advanced degree in literature is beneficial. In the course of the semester, students will research the career options of interest, identifying one or two fields as the focus of their work. They must generate a research paper that explores the history and future prospects of the field of interest, as well as current information about the requirements of the work, geographical information...