Getting Back into the Groove Spring Semester With India Hunt

           Finding the motivation to pull through spring semester can be hard. Whether your winter break was spent working or relaxing, the thought of being submerged in assignments, essays, and exams is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. But, it is important to remember the end goal and finish strong.

            Balancing your personal life with the demands of academic rigor looming over your shoulder can seem nearly impossible.  However, there are tips that can make your life as a student considerably stress free.

            “The syllabus is the one” upperclassman English major India Hunter says. “I always make sure I write down what is on the syllabus in my planner so I always know what is going on, and I never feel like I am catching up.” Staying on top of your work and being mindful of due dates will relieve a great deal of pressure as a college student.

            “It is important to start the semester off the same way that you want to finish it.” Hunter says. “Trying to get things together in the middle of the semester is hard, if you already started the semester off right it would be easier.”  Go above and beyond with your academics now so you do not feel like you’re crushing under the pressure later.

Consider the following tips for successful college performance: 

·         Remember due dates

·         Complete assignments as they come, and

·         Get help when you need it.

These tips can be applied within every major at college, but it is extremely important for LLP students who have to set aside extensive periods of time in order to read and write. While everyone has a different way of navigating through the world of college that works for them, hopefully this will provide some assistance to the students who are still trying to figure it out and develop better study habits.

Written by Barbara Olivis

Barbara Olivis is an English major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She aspires to be a professional writer within the genres of poetry and fiction. Olivis has appreciation for Science Fiction, she hopes to someday turn her novels into movies and to direct a film. She expects to graduate in 2019.

A Little Info about the New Social Media Intern

Hello all! 

     My name is Barbara Olivis and I will be serving as your social media intern for the spring semester of 2019! I am none other than a literature lover from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Barbara Olivis
LLP Social Media Intern

     First things first, if I am going to introduce myself I must confess that I am a dystopian genre lover. I am passionate about all things writing whether it is poetry, novel, or even script, but post- Apocalyptic and I’m all over it. I love the exploration of how the way we, as human beings, live now can impact the near future. I believe that this is what made my becoming an English major inevitable. The fact that literature is always in some way a depiction of the world we live in now, or in the future, intrigues me beyond measure.

            I would like to take you all on a journey with me this semester. My goal for this semester is to keep you all updated on various events that are going on within the department, as well as giving my fellow students tips on how to survive college, and miscellaneous topics here and there. I am looking forward to connecting with various faculty and students within the Language, Literature, and Philosophy Department. Though the primary focus is the LLP department, I hope to be of some use to all students, regardless of what major or minor one is pursuing. I also hope to give some insight into what to do after college, for the graduating seniors like me that may be struggling to figure out what life after college will look like.

            If I do my job effectively, all LLP students and faculty that read my blogs will feel updated, stimulated, and represented. I am looking forward to being your LLP social media intern this semester.

Sincerely,

Barbara Olivis

Barbara Olivis is an English major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She aspires to be a professional writer within the genres of poetry and fiction. Olivis has appreciation for Science Fiction, she hopes to someday turn her novels into movies and to direct a film. She expects to graduate in 2019.

             

WFP Series Vol. 7: Study Abroad with LLP

Students enrolled in Writing for Publication (Fall 2018) wrote and submitted blog stories related to the department. The fruits of those efforts will be published on our department blog every day during finals week.  The following stories were written by Kayla Tennille McCrary. 

Why LLP is for Me:  I believe LLP will play a role in my academic career because it will essentially give me the skills I need to be successful for post undergrad. I plan to go to law school, and that takes a lot of skill and experience in writing Academic papers as well as doing extensive and intensive research. Because I plan to be an author, being in this department helps teaches my how to be a diverse writer and how to be a creative and informative writer too. The skills I am gaining at Tennessee State University, I know will make me to be the best person for the job almost always, and that is a main reason why I chose this department.

Kayla Tennille McCrary

African American Literature Abroad

Dr. Jenifer Hayes in France

     LLP understands that studying abroad can be an amazing experience for students of African American Literature.  Drs. Rebecca Dixon and Jenifer Hayes are spearheading study abroad opportunities that help TSU students better appreciate the global impact of diasporic writers and texts. A couple of summers ago, they took students to Paris, France.  And, next Spring, they will take TSU students to Copenhagen, Denmark to study Nella Larson.
     Kierra Ewah, 21, travelled with Dixon and Hayes' class to Paris, and said the experience was revealing and educational.  She says she understand how travel enhanced the works of writers like Richard Wright, W.E.B. Dubois, and James Baldwin.She said that blacks went to Paris to feel connected to something and to essentially escape.

   

Dr. Rebecca Dixon in France

 Ewah was excited to mention that she saw another side of Paris that the world never sees. In traveling to a place called Barbes Street, she found thousands and thousands of Africans. She was both ecstatic and shocked to find out that her Nigerian father was actually raised in this place in Paris. She noted this experience as her most memorable one.

     Ewah is a senior and Mass Communication major with a minor in philosophy.  She hopes to travel abroad soon, and this time she aspires to go to Africa. She hopes that she has inspired other TSU students to get exposure and want to study abroad no matter what the major..

Where Literature meets Africa?

     Studying abroad can be an incredible experience. Not only are you able to see a new part of the world, but you’re able to study in a wonderful environment. I have had the privilege of experiencing studying overseas. Last summer, I was able to study World Literature in Cape Town, South Africa. 

     In addition to sight-seeing and volunteering, I was able to get a very intimate academic experience. In a class with about six students, we were able to engage in constructive conversation and share our experience in Africa through a different lens. The literature we studied dealt with apartheid, racism, and different forms of oppression, and we compared it to our lives in America. 

     We read two novels: The Born Frees by Kimberly Burge and A Thousand Splendid Sons by Khaled Husseini. The first novel told the stories of young girls living in Gugulethu, a small city in Cape Town, South Africa. These remarkable girls were a part of a creative writing group and we were able to read about their personal journeys. They struggled with things such as aids, poverty, relationships, and community responsibilities. 

     I even learned a valuable lesson there in which I got it tattooed while in Africa. The word is Ubuntu. Ubuntu means a person is a person through other persons. My humanity is tied up in yours, as yours is in mine. 

     While in South Africa we were able to witness racism and prejudices first hand. Majority of Cape Town’s population is full of European immigrants, and it was evident when we walked in certain places that our presence was not wanted. Apartheid in South Africa ended in 1994, so the idea and presence of this disgusting system is still evident. 

     Socially, you can see the barriers. 

     When you walked into a restaurant or hotel, the workers were always black, and the supervisors were almost always of European descent. This tied in with our literature because we read short stories that showed the systems of social class in their text. 

     Being that I am a LLP major, this experience was paramount to my English education as well as my outlook on studying abroad with TSU. Nonetheless, the experience taught me about myself as a person, a scholar, and a writer. I encourage students to not only see the world, but to experience it with optimism and gratitude. 

Kayla Tennille McCrary is a native of Atlanta, Ga and is currently a senior English major with a minor in political science at Tennessee State University. She serves as the 78thPresident of the Student Government Association. She also is the Vice President of the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, English Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Pre-alumni Council, AIPAC, and serves as a member of TSU’s Women’s Center advisory board. She aspires to be an entrepreneur and essentially become a self-made millionaire.

WFP Series Vol. 6: New Approaches to Freshman Composition

Students enrolled in Writing for Publication (Fall 2018) wrote and submitted blog stories related to the department. The fruits of those efforts will be published on our department blog every day during finals week.  The following story was written by Allisa Smith.

Why LLP is for Me: I suspect and affirm that Language, Literature and Philosophy will be dominant factors in  my success as a Political Science and Mass Communications major.  Language is everything to a professional. The correct articulation and diction could be the entrance way to network with top executives and CEO’s. Words are influential, and every word you utter leaves an impact on the person listening.  As a forthcoming Attorney, Author and Journalist, I will take the lessons learned from LLP with me in evaluating precedents, drafting law review and publishing creative works. English studies will be the foundation of my skill.

Allisa Smith

The significance of Freshmen Composition

     On the day I observed Professor Marsha Williams’ classroom it was filled with students from the beginning to the very last row -- each with a will to learn.
     The lecture was rather interesting. Students were reading and analyzing poetry. However, I soon realized there was a disconnect between students and composition.
Robin Dickey, a Junior enrolled in Freshmen Comp 10101, explains why writing makes her feel uncomfortable.
     “Writing is like my kryptonite,” she says. “It’s like I have so much to say, but as soon as sit in front of a computer screen or began let my thoughts flow, I freeze up and my mind goes blank. If writing was as easy as a talking, I would become an award winning author overnight.”
     Of the obstacles facing her during the writing process, Dickey said her biggest concern in page count.

Prof. Marsha Williams and her Freshman Composition
students organize a Green Kabaret. Through it,
students research, write essays, and respond
creatively to environmental issues.

     “It’s very intimidating to hear that you must compose a five paper in which you have to argue a point or explain multiple points in great detail.” Dickey said.
     “Page counts really put a mental strain on students. We go from explaining our opinions on given course topics to saying any and every thing to fill up the pages. We use our best efforts to avoid plagiarism so relying on our own words can be a frustrating and has a negative effect on the writing process.”
    Dickey contends that if professors could give students examples of how to write a successful paper and/or a piece of literature for their class it would relive a lot pressure and produce better outcomes per assignment.
     In addition to writing samples, Williams has a host of creative tools to help her students develop their writing skills. As part of her teaching style, she combines creative writing with traditional composition development.  This helps students better appreciate the creative aspect of the writing process.
     “Teaching Freshman Composition is certainly a challenge” Williams said. Her goal is to help students step out of their comfort zone to try a new skill. “I love connecting with students who are sincere about the writing process.”

Allisa Smith, 21, is a model, journalist, poet, writer and future attorney  from Atlanta GA. She often writes about politics, black businesses, and HBCU news.  She is also heavily active at Tennessee State University where she studies Political Science and Mass Communications, and is a part of the executive boards of multiple campus Organizations. Smith takes great joy in serving as the Commissioner of Healthcare for the Tennessee Intercollegiate Legislature, drafting bills that tackle political issues in Tennessee. Smith simply defines herself as a small town girl who dreams of taking over the world.

WFP Series Vol. 5: A Sit Down with Dr. Philips

Students enrolled in Writing for Publication (Fall 2018) wrote and submitted blog stories related to the department. The fruits of those efforts will be published on our department blog every day during finals week.  The following story was written by Sincere Matthew Benton.

Sincere Matthew Benton

Why LLP is for Me: As far as my education and future career goes, LLP plays the second biggest role behind my understanding of the business world. The ability to convey a message that's convincing enough to persuade corporations to partner with me is crucial.

A Sit Down with Dr. Elaine Philips

     I recently had the pleasure of sitting down Dr. Elaine Philips, a creative writing instructor in LLP. We had an insightful conversation about the importance of fiction, experiences from our lives, and plans for the future.
     Fiction at TSU is a high priority according to Philips. “TSU needs to read fiction to understand the world around them and those who are different from them.” As our conversation continued I came to appreciate that Philips is one of the most passionate instructors at this institution. She

Dr. Elaine Philips

hopes to work here until she retires.
Her inspiration to teach comes from her students. She reflects back to students that she taught over the last decade who were resistant, at first, but became better writers and poets. The purpose of her class, she says, is for it to feel like a workshop. Students are not only graded on their work, but they also get insightful feedback so that they could become better writers.
One of the more insightful parts of our conversation was comparing her classes from when she first got to TSU to now. She said that in classes’ past there seemed to be a bit more excitement to learn.
Ultimately, Philips says that she’s enjoys her work TSU thus far. The college experience would be a lot more enjoyable and educational if all professors were like her.


Sincere Matthew Benton, 19,  hails from Atlanta, Georgia. Benton began writing at ten years old.  His goal is to become a renaissance man in the world of literature. In the future, Benton plans on becoming a published author and the owner of his own hotel franchise,

WFP Series Vol. 4: Gender Norms and Philosophy

Students enrolled in Writing for Publication (Fall 2018) wrote and submitted blog stories related to the department. The fruits of those efforts will be published on our department blog every day during finals week.  The following stories were written by Ashley Doxy.

Why LLP is for Me: LLP is not an easy program. It requires determination, zeal, hard work, attention to detail and sacrifice. You must be able to problem-solve and look at issues critically. If you fall, you must get back up. These characteristics are qualities needed when combating real-world issues. This program is preparing me for life outside of college. Whether in graduate school or a corporate position, LLP is providing me with the tools I need to identify, analyze, and solve problems.

Ashley Doxy

Gender Norms: What Are They?

     In an ever-evolving world, preconceived ideologies and beliefs about gender are now being tested. We often bear witness to ideas evolving or perishing. 
   Closely related to gender are gender norms. The United Nations Statistics Division defines gender norms as “Standards and expectations to which women and men generally conform, within a range that defines a particular society, culture and community at that point in time.”
     From a young age, youth perpetuate and conserve traditions and stereotypes that have been passed down for generations. Children are expected to behave, dress, or act a certain way because of their sex.
Dr. Jennifer Hayes, an English and Women's Studies professor at Tennessee State University, explains what

Dr. Jenifer Hayes

gender is and the expected roles that comes with it.
     “Gender is connected to connotations that we have about sex roles," Hayes says. "Think about social expectations and what we associate with what it means to be male or what it means to be female. Gender about performing those expected roles.” 
     There are many misconceptions one might have about gender and gender norms. Hayes explains that many people have a binary view of gender, when it is, non-binary because some people contain more than one sex.  “People can’t comprehend that gender is a social construction. They think it’s real.” 
     Punishment is another way to perpetuate gender norms, Hayes explains.  “Young children see models and can’t measure up and are chastised with negative affirmation when they are doing something outside of what is considered to be normal for that gender.”
     It is essential to be aware of societal issues because they seep through classroom walls and affect many, if not all students. Hayes says that in all of her classes she creates a space “where we’re looking at diverse works written by different kinds of people.”
     Hayes’s goal is focusing on uplifting and empowering her students and educating them on the human condition.  As one of the many LLP instructors who teach Women Studies, she hopes to help students become better citizens with dignity and compassion.

Philosophy as a Minor

     College is full of options regarding majors and minors for students to explore. It is easy for students to forget that they can minor in a subject that compliments their majors. Dr. Charles Edward Bowie, Philosophy and Religious Studies professor, gave substantial insight about philosophy and why it is a great option for a minor. 

Dr. Charles Bowie

     “Students need to identify and understand arguments and fallacies,” says Bowie. “Philosophy is necessary in Liberal Arts and Humanities. It is also necessary in Science research and education. It introduces students to culture studies and it intertwines with geography and religious studies, leading to sensitivity and understanding other cultures.” 
     When studying philosophy, you must get rid of preconceived ideas, principles, and beliefs and almost become “child-like,” as Bowie says. Philosophy enables us to “live in the imagination, opening our dispositions and helping us relax and play around. We must suspend all assumptions and not take things too seriously. Socrates and Plato are great examples of this.” 
     Philosophy is also about asking questions, which is something English majors must do to analyze and understand different texts. Philosophy is grounded in questions that students have the opportunity to explore and expand their perceived realities. 
     “Philosophy allows students to apply older texts to modern day. They are able to discern what questions the texts raise,” Bowie says. These are all tools that English majors must accomplish through their matriculation in college.
      Getting rid of biased dispositions, asking grounded questions, analyzing texts, and understanding that your conclusions could be wrong are all components that English majors should master. Philosophy is a great tool to help students accomplish these fundamental aspects of the English degree. 

Ashley Doxy is a senior an Tennessee State University who will graduate in May 2019. It was during her matriculation at TSU that she discovered through hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. “I think, therefore, I can,” is her life motto. Upon completion of undergrad, she aspires to be a fiction novelist and a YouTube blogger extraordinaire. 

WFP Series Vol. 3: NIA Grant and Queer Literature

Students enrolled in Writing for Publication (Fall 2018) wrote and submitted blog stories related to the department. The fruits of those efforts will be published on our department blog every day during finals week.  The following stories were written by Alldon Thompson. 

Congrats to Dr. Rebecca Dixon, recipient of NIA Grant

Dr. Rebecca Dixon

     Professor Rebecca Dixon received the NIA grant this semester, which allows educators time away from classrooms to focus on scholarship and academic works. It’s the first time it has been offered, so that’s another feat achieved by Professor Dixon.
     Dixon has worked at TSU for 14 years, and she specializes in a variety of subjects including: Post-Colonial, African, Diasporic Literature, and Gender Studies. She also serves as program coordinator for the Women’s Studies Program. The goal of that program is to help students understand  the complexity of gender identities and equality.
      Dixon plans on using her sabbatical to work on a book that covers all of Caryl Philips’ literature. Philips is an award-winning essayist and playwright.
      Congratulations, Professor Dixon, for your amazing achievement. The TSU family wishes you the best of luck on your upcoming book!

Queer African American Literature and Its Communal Teachings for TSU Students

   
     Queer African-American students are demanding inclusiveness, not just for campus life, but for course lessons as well. Some are feeling excluded from campus life, and truthfully, it's not because of their sexual preferences. The issue stalling communal growth is total inclusivity.  
     Jhalen Fears a student attending TSU stated, “When saying community, it’s not just subjected to social/racial injustice. LGBTQIA students want the student body to understand that they’re not accessories used to boost social rankings for organizations, especially after being judged and ignored once their communal goals are reached.” His statement affirms that the unification of all students should be promoted, but it’s pointless if it contradicts the principle of acceptance.
     If students need an escape from those forces, while also learning about themselves then they can turn to Queer African-American literature. Literature and art have always been a great escape for marginalized communities. It allows them the opportunity to express themselves.
      This self-awakening information teaches students the importance of community. Best explained in Mind Your Own Life: The Journey Back to Love by Aaron Anson, “When we allow our egos to wish harm and despair for others, the lapse in our judgment is made apparent. The notion that somehow there is less available for us, because someone else has received something that we desire, has to be banished” (116).
     It’s important to categorize gender expression as a commonality for most students. Reading queer literature can help students better understand what they have in common.  It could be a form of psychological role play for all students. The implication is that it allows experimentation to be a form of self-exploration.
     Fears says, “yes, the tension between queer and hetero students gets catty at times… in part mis-education playing a key role.” He adds, “Incorporating queer literature in part could open a whole new door… all students could learn a little bit more about themselves.”


Alldon Thompson is a sophomore at Tennessee State University. His year of anticipated graduation is in 2021. He is a double major, majoring in Economics and Finance/ Mass Communication. His career plans involve continuing school and obtaining his master’s in Business Economics, eventually working for or starting a Finance Agency.