Authorship and Ai: A Chat with Dr. Justin Whitney

By Dakota DiBenedetto
LLP Social Media Intern

Dr. Justin Whitney and Dakota DiBenedetto

Over the past few years, A.I. or artificial intelligence, has become an up and coming tool used by many students all over the world. Dr. Justin Whitney, an assistant professor in the Languages, Literature, and Philosophy Department, held a zoom seminar titled “A.I. Writing and Online Education Summit.”

A.I. or artificial intelligence is software programs that focus on performing tasks that require human intelligence such as problem-solving, reasoning, and learning. A.I. is about teaching machines or computers to mimic how humans think and learn. Normally, this involves several techniques that include algorithms and systems to analyze data that spits out patterns.

Dr. Whitney is well versed in A.I. and had more to say in our interview. We spoke of  A.I. and its relationship to authenticity, misinformation, and misuse.

What is A.I. or artificial intelligence?

Dr. Whitney explains that artificial intelligence today is two things: a large language and a natural language model. It is a statistical analysis that analyzes what should be next through statistics. The first artificial intelligence was created in 1956 and was a government sponsored program.

How do you ensure A.I. remains ethical and accurate?

During our conversation Dr. Whitney compared remixing music to editing A.I. and asked the question of whether you still deserve the credit as much. I shared with him how in a class I once was instructed to use A.I as a reference: he believed that is a good way because it can be used as a research tool, however, students should be careful because A.I. can contain misinformation.

How are you integrating A.I. into teaching or the research process?

“A metaphor I use in class is if I use a laser pointer and move it an inch it makes a big difference and that's how A.I. is.” He explained, students should use it at the very beginning and the end as a part of help with outlining then write the paper yourself to remain having author ownership.

Do you see A.I. as a threat long term to those students going into the professional world?

“It would integrate itself into our lives and eventually our computers.” He compared it to a Black Mirror episode of what life could possibly be eventually if AI consumes us. Ultimately, what it takes to get a job or an A letter grade will be harder.

Dr. Whitney will teach a new LLP class this Fall: 

LLP Celebrates a Year of Success and Publications

Awards, Exhibits, and Graduating Seniors
By Dakota DiBenedetto
LLP Social Media Intern

To cap off a successful year, the Languages, Literature, and Philosophy Department hosted an End of the Year Celebration. Many students were awarded certificates for their achievements over the year. The department launched two publications, starting what will become an annual tradition of spotlighting student writing: 

• Tigritude: A Journal of Student Writing, highlighting the best student writing in LLP classrooms and 
• Blue Ink: A Literary Arts Journal, the first volume of a new and annual publication.

A great Wole Soyinka quote was used in the journal Tigritude stating how a tiger demonstrates its power through action symbolizing the student's literature exhibiting power through words:

 “A tiger does not proclaim his tigritude, he ounces. In other words: a tiger does not stand in the forest and say: “I am a tiger”. When you pass where the tiger has walked before, you see the skeleton of the duiker, you know that some tigritude has been emanated there.” - Wole Soyinka

Both of these journals feature LLP student writing and artwork by TSU art students. This celebration was held in The Space for New Media room in Elliot Hall,  a black box theatre with the works of LLP poets and art students on the walls. 

Awards were given to students for different accomplishments like most improved, rising star, academic achievement, and more. Accolades were also given to students graduating this spring. Professors like Dr. Zeba Shabhaaz, Dr. Heidi Williams, and Prof. Rebecca Bornac were also awarded with memorabilia for their hard work and committment to go above and beyond.

The whole program concluded with LLP's Soul Fire Poetry group performing poems from their upcoming "200 Unacceptable Words" collection.  They also gave out copies of a gorgeous Soul Fire Women's History Insert.  

This was a great way to end the year for the LLP Department while also highlighting the two new student publications. This gives students the chance to become published before leaving campus, which is a great opportunity for those looking to join the publication world. Personally, I look forward to seeing more of what LLP will do in the future.  

The Following Students Were Honored at this Year's Celebration:

• Blakemore, Nickcolus - Excellence in Creative Writing Award (Fall 2024 Graduate)
• Boykin, Ahlillian - Rising Star Educator (Class of 2026)
• Childress, Caleahs - Outstanding Student Employee
• Cole, Amiya - Promising Young Educator (Spring 2025 Graduate) 
• DeBardelaben, Evan - Aspiring Author Award I for Demonstrated Excellence in Creative Writing  (Fall 2024 Graduate) 
• Jackson, Madelyn - Rising Star Educator Award
• Mathis, Aniyha - Excellence in Civic Engagement (Spring 2025 Graduate) 
• McGuire, Brianna - Academic Achievement Award  (Spring 2025 Graduate) 
• Rainer, Destini - Career Exploration and Innovation Award  (Spring 2025 Graduate) 
• Stone, Eleana - Promising Young Educator (Fall 2024 Graduate)
• Sutton, KenDasha - Most Improved Student  (Spring 2025 Graduate) 
• Smith, Chandler - Career Exploration and Innovation Award (Class of 2026)
• Watkins, Jasmine - Rising Star Educator Award 
• Wilson, Chandler - Outstanding LLP Alumni Award (Class of 2018)
• Wilson-Richardson, Tori - Excellence in Professional Writing (Spring 2025 Graduate) 

Recognition of LLP Minors

• Anikwe, Frank - Excellence in Philosophy Studies 
• Simmons, Kara -  Excellence in Spanish Studies 
• Agoziri Mgbeke - Excellence in French Studies

LLP Leads Students through D&D Campaign

Community, Creativity and the Campaign!
By Dakota DiBenedetto
LLP Student Intern

Over the last year, the Departmnent of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy has led students on a fantastic quest.  Faculty adviser, Dr. Shane Gomes, initiated a Dungeons and Dragons campaign last Fall, and group has been campaigning ever since. 

Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game created and designed by Dave Gygax and Dave Arneson. A group of players tell a story, guiding players through dangerous quests such as exploring castles, defeating monsters, and discovering treasure. The popularized game has been seen on TV shows like Big Bang Theory, Stranger Things and Gravity Falls.

TSU Grad student Tarisha Moncrief is an ethusiastic D&D club member. Her alter, Mizuki, is "a sun elf

with beguiler as the race." The character specializes in manipulation, deception as the character is beautiful but not trustworthy.  Through Mizuki, and empowering imagination, Moncrief is able to explore a persona outside of her true character.  

In an interview, we spoke about the nature of D&D, how to play the game, the nerd stereotype, and the accuracy of depiction (or lack thereof) in entertainment. 

What does a typical Dungeons and Dragons game look like for the club?

 A typical campaign starts off with creating a character that classifies into race, class, and alignment. There are 9 alignments, 10 races, and 13 classes, says the 2024 update Players Handbook. Moncrief explains, “there are different types of campaigns you can go on single, multiplayer, hero, and villain quests, it all depends on what the group of players want to do.” The game master plans the campaign meaning they tell the story or journey that is taken.

What got you into playing Dungeons and Dragons?

 “I have always been interested in D&D." It all started with her interest in anime which was used as a branch that got her started in D&D later joining the club.

What is the longest Dungeons and Dragons campaign you have partook in?

 The longest campaign Moncrief has played was for six hours non-stop, although it can go longer. However, since the club meets from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. the maximum the club has played is two hours; they often have to stop and continue playing at the next meeting.

Have you been able to meet new people since joining the club?

 Majority of the people who play D&D are introverted, so this has helped people become more outspoken and come together. It is a good way to meet new people and interact with others that play the game. The game is relaxing and fun which is a good way to not be yourself during the game which is the point of the game.

Learn more about LLP's D&D campaign by reaching out to Faculty Adviser Dr. Shane Gomes.
Click here for "Full Interview with Tarisha Moncrief" 

LLP Creates More Opportunities for Student Publishing

Me with Dr. Emily Murray

A Conversation with Dr. Emily Murray
by Dakota DiBenedetto
LLP Social Intern

As an aspiring publisher, I decided to interview an LLP professor is advocating for more publishing opportunities in the classroom and department. . Becoming a publisher has been a dream of mine for a while. I am an avid reader of books, and I want to share the joy that I experience when reading.

Dr. Emily Murray, PhD is an Associate Professor of English and graduate of Cumberland University. While interviewing Dr. Emily Murray, I learned about what drives her passion, her plans for a student journal, and the pathways and skills needed to becoming a publisher. We also discussed how AI will may affect the publishing world.

Audio of the full interview is at the end; my favorite moments are sumarized below. 

What inspired you to pursue this career?

 There was a student literary journal made in the past called Sketches. The student journal was last published in Spring 2014. Dr. Murray decided to start it again, naming it Blue Ink; A English Literary Journal. The name came from her students in her Writing for Publications class, that she fundraised for. Dr. Murray said “I wanted to illuminate student voices and wanted to highlight how students feel, what they think about, what they are doing, and what matters to our students.” 

What are your hopes for the student literary journal?

Dr. Murray hopes that we can consistently publish a winter and summer edition of the journal highlighting student works of literature. The main struggle is maintaining that consistent engagement with the journal. The student literary journal will not only be open to English students but to every student on campus.

How do you see AI affecting publishing?

With AI being such a prominent use of technology today it is important to understand how this will affect the publishing world. Dr Murray said “I think AI has both a negative and positive impact. In my classes we engage with AI. It is a good place to get started to see what it shows us and how we could revise it to make it an authentic human voice.” 

What skills are essential to becoming a publisher?

 I was curious about the relationship between writing and research skills.. While both skills are essential, writing skills can always be developed, you can practice and get better. you will always have to edit and revise. Dr. Murray stated that “Nobody's first draft is perfect.”

 This was an eye-opening interview to hear from someone in the field I wish to work in. Make sure to be on the look-out to the student literary journal and its open submissions as the website will be coming soon.

 Check out the Full Interview Here:  My Conversationwith Dr. Murray

 

 

Meet the New LLP Social Media Intern: Dakota DiBenedetto

How I became an English Major
By Dakota DiBenedetto

DiBenedetto

 

 

 

Since I could remember I have loved reading and writing. However, majoring in English was not always my first choice as I thought all that could come from it was teaching or writing in newspapers. I was always a great writer, but I thought all that would come from it was becoming  a teacher if I became an English major.

Originally, I was a Biology major which was swiftly changed when I became a sophomore and I realized it was not the best for me. Since, changing my major to English I have been happier as it was something I knew I wanted to do.

Through research and the help of an informative poster beside an elevator, I was made aware of the many things I could do with my major and made the switch. Today, I am a junior English major with a business minor and the new Social Media Intern for the Language, Literature, and Philosophy Department at Tennessee State University.

As I start this journey, I am ecstatic about this new opportunity, as it allows me to dive deeper into what an English degree can offer. During this internship, I hope to attract more students to the LLP Department and what we offer. I hope to learn more about what being an English major has to offer and offer those same opportunities to others.

            

Reflections on My LLP Internship

The Community that Every LLP Major and Minor Should Know
By Brianna McGuire
LLP Social Media Intern

“It is in literature that the concrete outlook of humanity receives its expression”
 -Alfredo North Whitehead

     I am completely grateful for my time here as the social media intern at the Language,
Literature, and Philosophy Department. Throughout my time at TSU as an English major I never came across any one else that shared the same passion as me for writing and literature until now. 
     Being in this environment with professors who want the best for me when it comes to a career with an English degree and coming across my wonderful peers that have a genuine love for writing and literature is something that I never thought I would see in my four years here at TSU. As stated in my first blog, every time I would mention to others that I was an English major I would get a negative reaction. 
     However, spending my time here as the social media intern, my choice of major and of study has turned into a positive reaction for others and for myself. 
      The English department does not get all the recognition they truly deserve. The professors work hard to show each student that they matter. They do everything in their power to improve student writing and set them up for success in their future. The students are extremely deserving and passionate about literature and expressing themselves through the art of literature.
     The art of literature and the English department is constantly overlooked and I sincerely hope that during my time here as the intern, I was able to bring some kind of recognition to a department that truly deserves it and have gravitated more passionate students towards this amazing study. 
   Lastly, to the department chair, Dr. Pinkard thank you for opening this amazing opportunity to me and I want to express my gratitude for your everlasting help with everything.

Fall Graduate Secures Graduate School and Future

LLP Student Profile: An Interview with Nickcolus Blakemore
By Brianna McGuire
LLP Social Media Intern

Nickcolus Blakemore

Nickcolus Blakemore is a graduating English major with a minor in mass communications and an eye
on the future. He was selected from a national pool into two graduate school invitatoinal graduate prep programs that took him to Texas this summer as part of STEP and Michigan this Fall to participate in MUSE.  He has graduate school plans for life after TSU, and his sincere gratitude for the English department is very beautiful and genuine. Blakemore spoke with me about his experiences in LLP and about the professors that have pushed him to become a better student and a better writer.

Tell me about yourself.

I will be graduating this Fall and I hope to get my master’s degree and have a career in screenwriting in the future. In my writing, I hope to center black people on television and tell a story of the struggles and challenges that we face as a race.

Tell me about your experience as an English major.

 As an English major, I can truly say that most of my support has come from my professors. They have been very dedicated to my success, and they have been very willing to work with me one on one and give me the time that I may need as an individual to ensure that I have the best possible path forward. At times, I do wish that the English Department could get more recognition and attention from the university because the professors do put in a lot of work, and I would just like to see their work supported and rewarded from outsiders.

What are some skills that you may have gained from the English department?

 There are so many. First and foremost, I would like to give a big shoutout to my mentors and professors Dr. Zeba Shahbaaz and Dr. Michelle Pinkard, the department chair. They have both instilled values like consistency, reminding me to stay consistent with my work and my writing. They have really trained me to become a better writer. I don’t think that I could be the writer that I am now without them. Lastly, they have encouraged me to go forward and challenge myself to different opportunities.

Speaking of opportunities, can you tell me more about the MUSE program that you just attended at Michigan State? How did you get involved?

 The opportunity was actually sent to me by those two professors I’ve mentioned before. After it was sent to me, I decided to do some of my research on the faculty and the program itself. When I did my own research, I saw that the program was researching certain topics that I was interested in such as Afrofuturism, critical race theory, black LGBTQ, and feminist theory. After seeing that, I applied and got accepted. It is a program that allows students to introduce your research interest and prepare you for graduate school. While I was there, they had us sit in a few classes, panels, and seminars — most importantly, a graduate school seminar where they spoke to us about tips and preparation for grad school.

 What was your experience like at Michigan State University? After your experience there, are you interested in going there for grad school?

 There are top tier institutions for research and I loved to hear that because I know that it would allow me to discover a broad range of interests when it comes to research. There are a lot of things that I enjoyed about the English department there and what they have to offer, they also have a lot of interdisciplinary studies there as well. As far as grad school is concerned, it is definitely an option for me, at the moment I am keeping my options open though.

 How did the MUSE Program impact you?

 It made me feel more prepared for grad school, they encouraged me after hearing my research so that kind of let me know that I was on the right track and they helped me to see what I can expand my ideas on after hearing the panelist and professors speak. It was a very full circle experience.

 Last question, I know that you spoke earlier about your gratitude for the English department because of their generosity and encouragement. Before you graduate next month, are there any words that you would like to leave the English Department with?

 Thank you for everything, and I will see you all at the top!

On the behalf of your peers, thank you Nickcolus for being a great representation for other English students at Tennessee State University. From having multiple classes with you, I have noticed that you have represented the Language, Literature, and Philosophy Department very well through your hard work, determination, and passion for writing. We cannot wait to see what you will do in the future, but we know for certain that you will make other students like me very proud and inspired by your future endeavors.