The Critical Approach OCTOBER 2 015
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T Social Media and Literature What’s New in the Department Meeting the Faculty Book Suggestions How Did You Survive Freshman Comp? Serial Plagiarism: The Value of Communication Skills From Dissertation to Doctorate Word on the Block Off in the Archives The W.R.I.T.E Way Sketches Sneak Peek What Can I Do With My Degree? Contributors Page
Professor Severus Snape.
via my-tardis-sense-is-tingling.tumblr.com
blog
Photo by Prof. Michelle Wise
Book Suggestions By Elyse Johnson Are you looking for a book to read? Don't you just wish that you could get a hand picked selection of books and films that were deemed awesome and worthy?
man who comes up with a plan to murder a pawnbroker for money to solve all of his financial issues. The real question is will he do it? This story is so full of suspense. You should go to the library and pick it up right now!
Look no further, because here are some selections picked out by some of our own professors here at Tennessee State University. So get your pen and paper out while you look through these hand picked selections from the best professors in the world.
We also have Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Abby Abernathy is new
First we have The Running Man By Stephen King. This story revolves around Ben Richards, who is out of work and has a disaster on his hands. His one year old daughter is sick, and neither Ben nor his wife have the insurance to take her to a doctor. For a man with no money from the poor side of town, there’s only one thing to do. To become a contestant on one of the Network’s Games, which is a great opportunity to win money for his baby girl. However, losing the game can result in losing his life. We have The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is one of the most well known books in America, and Fitzgerald delivers a masterpiece. The story centers around the very wealthy and famous Jay Gatsby. He is in love with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. There are enough twists, turns, and mysteries in this book to last a lifetime. Everyone should read this story at least once in their life, and it is so good you have to read it again! Then we have Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky which centers on an impoverished
to Eastern University. She's a good girl (for the most part) and she's not a drinker. She doesn't even curse! However, as perfect as she seems, her past keeps coming to haunt her (hopefully everything will work out for her). You will never know until you pick up your own copy and find out! Lastly is Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game. An excellent example of how juvenile fiction can be compelling and complex, this adventurous science-fiction story centers around young Ender and his effort to save the human race while dealing with the manipulative adult world around him. We hope that you will look into all the books that were part of the selection. Hopefully one of the books will end up being one of your favorites. Happy reading!
How Did You Survive Freshmen Comp? By Chelsa Fletcher Just imagine. The summer is finally over, and you're fresh out of high school. You're moving on to bigger and better things: college! New environment, new lifestyle, new friends, newly found freedom— these are the greatest things to look forward to when going off to school.
Vintage picture of TSU students
Think full-time hours and the possibility of putting on that "freshman 15." Oh yes, as an incoming freshman, the struggle is real when it comes to making good grades your first year. Some students are well prepared for the journey ahead while others boil over with anxiety and nerves. And on top of all the pressure, there's English! As if math, science, and history aren't enough, there's Freshman Composition. Nearly all students who enter TSU must meet and conquer the Freshman Composition series. We asked a handful of TSU students and alumni what were their secrets to surviving freshman Composition, and for some of you, the answers might just be a Godsend. Some students say it was the awesome faculty in the English department that got them through the series. Had it not been for Dr. Shafer's vivid vocabulary or Dr. Maz-
zone's theatrical approach, some students say they would not have made it. For others, it wasn't the faculty that made freshman composition easy. Some students found the pressure of establishing a good GPA oppressive enough to fuel them toward survival during freshman year. Regardless of the motivation for surviving your freshman year, TSU has an awesome English department that is willing to help you succeed. Students have a plethora of tools to assist in their journey: the W.R.I.T.E Studio, the Writing Center and Tiger tutoring to name a few. Moreover, they have access to a dedicated group of lively and cool professors. Ultimately Freshman Composition can be another stepping stone to something greater, regardless of field of study. So, here at the English department, we encourage you to become aware of your options during your freshman year. Don't let the fear of freshman composition keep you from making your dreams come
Serial Plagiarism: The Value of Communication Skills By Cedric Dent Ghostwriter: The English Major’s Market Value Twenty-first century students question more and more the avenues available to English majors. Recent surveys of employers conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities may provide answers. The AACU discovered that “more than 75% of employers” are calling for a greater emphasis on “written and oral communication.” These are skills that English majors master, and many English majors can attest to the common occurrence of other students tapping into their prowess for outlining, writing, and editing essays and presentations. The reality of the professional world is that the deep need for developing these skills was evident in high school and college. One need only to point to every university’s war on plagiarism and the apparent, and disturbing emergence of a plagiarist on campus. Most students at Tennessee State University are likely to have testimony of constant speeches from professors, not just in the English department, but in all disciplines about how they’re exceedingly adept at catching plagiarists. These days, every professor has methods and tools
for detecting plagiarism. Make no mistake, these plagiarism detectors are effective. Professors employ a plethora of thorough programs, websites, and databases that cross-reference a student’s work with all the literature students are likely to copy or even research for their papers or projects. The days when students could let Google’s results write their papers for them are over, yet the need for good writing still presides in every college. Consequently, some students turn to a ghostwriter for seemingly original content. Most campuses have students willing to write papers for others as a way to make extra money, and the demand for these skillsets is such that websites like Cheap Writing Service and Essay Agents have multiplied in number over the last decade. However, the former charges at rates that escalate based on the number of days allotted for writing the paper, beginning at $11 per page for a due date two weeks out and $30 per page for papers due in a matter of hours, and the latter bases its rates on academic level (i.e. high school, undergrad, masters, etc.), ranging between $10 and $20 per page. Local ghostwriters try to compete by offering lower prices. Friends who have considered using the shady service say the ghostwriter touts an ability to write in any discipline. Motivations for buying papers can range anywhere between lack of time to lack of talent. Honestly, cheating has garnered some passing essay grades for individuals who struggle with the level of interest, motivation, or ability to do their own work. But the range of A’s, B’s, and C’s this serial plagiarist earns for his clients still represents an uncertainty with which many students are dangerously content. And though their motivations for buying
Overview of the illustrious Tennessee State University.
these papers are left to speculation, it is fact that professors are better at detecting plagiarism than ever and that the “cheap” essays students find online are relatively expensive by comparison. At the college level, the ghostwriter's clients should be asking themselves, where they will land in the professional world without these skills. How will they compete with ghostwriters, who, ironically, are mastering requisite skills and solidifying their competitive edge? The most rudimentary principles in economics sufficiently account for the Ghostwriter’s far-reaching clientele base; he simply supplies an increasingly prevalent demand by undercutting the budding market value.
What’s interesting about the implications of plagiarism for the professional domain is that the demand seems to remain constant from college to the professional world, according to the AACU. Ultimately, good communicators have an excellent opportunity to excel in ways their peers do not. English majors spend years honing the skills that ghostwriters attempt to sell. In the end, relying on a ghostwriter is tantamount to cheating yourself out of future earnings. Striving to master these skills, however, will fulfill a key need that employers want to see in the next wave of professionals to flood the market.
Studies* show that plagiarism leads to the following: “In the end, relying on a ghostwriter is tantamount to cheating yourself out of future earnings.”
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Poor Learning Skills Failure of a paper Expulsion Unsuccessful Relationships Living With Your Parents Well Into Your 40s Questionable Fashion Sense Homelessness Death *These results may not be completely accurate due to the fact there was no study performed and we made up these consequences, however, they are probably a little bit accurate.**
**Results may vary
Off In The Archives
By Kamri Jordan
Special Topics found on the 3rd floor in the library.
With rules worthy of the White House and Fort Knox, The Tennessee State University Special Collections and archives is not an area that one stumbles upon. The Special Collections at TSU holds objects that are of great value to the university and the state of Tennessee. However, students shouldn’t fear this area because the special collections and archives hold information that can be an aid to all students. Hidden in the corner of the third floor in the Brown-Daniel Library is the Special Collections, also called the archives. When students enter into this area they are entering into the TSU of the past. Dr. Murle Kenerson, the Interim Dean of Libraries and Media Centers, believes that students could find a myriad of information pertaining to the black community of Nashville and Tennessee State University. According to Dr. Kenerson Special Collections contain relics pertaining to Nashville’s and Tennessee State’s “founding fathers, buildings on campus, the history of Greek organizations, and famous alumni.” Yet, this is only a fraction of all that is stored in the archives. According to the TSU’s library website,
the archives contain the past work of students and professors at TSU. One of the largest collection of work can be found in the Thomas E. Poag Collection. In this collection students can find research papers of former students, writings by students and professors, and former campus newsletters. In addition to the work done by TSU students, the online archive also connects students with the archives of other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
These items in Special Collections and the archives provide TSU students with an opportunity to enhance their work. These artifacts are sources that cannot be found anywhere else, which makes them a terrific addition to any assignment one may have. As mentioned earlier, the former work of students and professors has been preserved in the archives. These items can be used by professors as teaching material, or by students as guidance for their work. Even The Critical Approach could even use the preserved newsletters as a standard for its publication.
“The essential matter of history is not what happened but what people thought or said about it.” Frederic W. Maitland, 19th Century
Even with all the information provided regarding Special Collections and the archives, some students and professors still may not see use for it, and that is okay. However, if a student or professor ever has an assignment that requires a primary source the first place they should go is the tucked off room on the third floor.
"The desire to write grows with writing." - Erasmus of Rotterdam, 15th & 16th century Dutch social critic Does this sound familiar? It is the start of a new semester, your bag is weighed down with about 35lbs worth of books, you are struggling to find the correct classroom, your laptop is about to die, you have two days to write your first paper, and you don’t have a clue where to start. Perhaps that’s a little too specific (and dramatic), but we can’t be the only one staring at blank Word documents as the cursor just blinks, blinks, and, you guessed it, blinks. We can’t be the only ones writing papers that would have gotten a better grade if they had been proofread by someone with experience. There must be others also struggling to know exactly how to cite a webpage, or roaming the halls looking for a quiet space to work. Spoiler alert: writing is hard. It takes a lot of time and energy and focus, and yet, most of us are convinced we can write a five-page essay, including proper citation, an hour before it’s due. The TSU Write Studio is here to help. The English Department is one of the select colleges at Tennessee State University to offer its upper-division students access to the invaluable benefits of the W.R.I.T.E. (Write, Reflect, Integrate, Transfer, Excel) Program, an interdisciplinary program geared toward the refinement of students’ writing relative to their vocation and curriculum. Under Program Director Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, the W.R.I.T.E Program “is committed to assisting students in participating majors to achieve their full potential as communicators in their disciplines and vocational fields.” For students, this means that room 220 in the Jackson Hall of Industrial Arts is the perfect place for upper-division writers and is equipped to support them in any aspect of the writing process—quiet, well-maintained, and incredibly comfortable with the cushioned chairs and carpet to fit its “lounge” vibe. For TSU student Leejuana Bryant, the W.R.I.T.E studio is a “great space for writing. It’s comfortable, quiet and well designed.” The W.R.I.T.E. Studio features updated computers, printers, and books about writing and proper citation formats from MLA to APA., and it boasts of the best, most reliable Wi-Fi on campus; nevertheless, the best resource offered is the staff. Students have a golden opportunity to discuss their writing, whether specifically or broadly, with professional writing tutors and trained mentors referred to in its brochure as W.R.I.T.E. Associates. This makes the Write Studio that much more valuable as a venue for honing the necessary professional skills to not just work in the professional world but to succeed and excel. For upper -division English majors in particular, the W.R.I.T.E. Studio becomes invaluable when they begin crafting their ePortfolios and preparing for real world application.
Sketches Sneak Peek By Jennifer Shafer Every year the work of the talented students at TSU is showcased in Sketches: The Online Crea-
tive Arts Journal of Tennessee State University. Under the direction of Dr. Elaine Phillips, poems, short stories, and artwork from the students are selected and published. In anticipation of this year’s edition, we have been allowed a sneak peek into one of the works to be presented, with the added bonus of insight from the poem’s author, Robert Pillow IV.
Ignorance, knowledge lacking to enhance one's mind. Yesterday I saw Unintelligent helpless in class as knowledge began to teach, Unintelligent was nervous, shaking at the knees as fear knocked on the door, Failing at every subject with the inability to succeed, Single father to a child aching for resourcefulness Praying as God answered blessing him becoming omniscient. Unintelligent, thankful and grateful, as things became attainable, Too unbelievable to retain it and much of a fantasy to speak it, Eternally at his mercy, Ford, continuing to move forward.
His poem: UNINTELLIGENT
Unintelligent left his society entering the world...he felt fear,
When you hear the word unintelligent, you think of...
Unintelligent’s fear is a television, not knowing what will appear
Inability of one’s potential, unsatisfactory unable to receive a grade,
Unaware what reality had to offer. Unintelligent full of misguidance and fantasy,
Inferior of one’s own measure...uneducated as things are complicated,
Hiding television’s true identity, however his fear trembles, feeling an earthquake,
Lessons not being learned, visions with no scenery,
The light before his screen, his fear is a television has become conquered...
Trapped in a society as if there is no world,
No satellite or cable could disrupt Unintelligent's connection to peace,
When you hear the word unintelligent, you think of...
Unintelligent has found his search for knowledge.
Shocking Unintelligent with static as the When you hear the word unintellitelevision roars. Deepest and darkest segent, you think of elementary no long- crets er growing, Lay behind the silent black screen, No sense of direction...not even a dreaming to see color out of his televigps could direct us, sion.
Poetry is my passion. I feel it speaks internal stories others refuse to tell. It’s full of expression that gives everyone the ability to understand the writing. It brings a deep intellectual connection to everyone. Poetry intertwines life experiences in a rhythmic and aesthetic language. They all provide a variety of knowledge. I want to attract many people and their inner feelings through writing freely to be heard using my passion. My thoughts on writing this poem were crafted through unspoken emotions.
“Unintelligent tells a story on how everyone has their struggles in life, but are trying to be successful and make a way”
The portrays how so many people in this world may not show it, but feel worthless and have no ability to achieve anything nor amount to anything. Unintelligent tells a story on how everyone has their struggles in life, but are trying to be successful and make a way. In the end with faith and determination theirs light at the end of that dark tunnel." --Robert Pillow IV
You can read more of Robert's poems in his book Unspoken Reality: Lessons Learned, and be sure to catch many more poems and short stories, as well as artwork from the students at TSU in the next edition of Sketches this Spring. If you would like to contribute to the online journal please contact Dr. Elaine Phillips.
“The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart. —Maya Angelou
What Can I Do With My Degree?
By Kamri Jordan
“You’re an English major? Oh. So, do you want to be a teacher or go to law school?” Every English major has had this conversation. Upon hearing our major, people assume that we are striving to enter one of two professions: a teacher or lawyer. Although there are English majors who are pursuing these careers, it is false to assume that this is what we all wish to do. People choose to major in English for a variety of reasons that extend beyond loving to read and write.
“We are members of one great
society. Nature planted in us a mutual love, and fitted us for a social life. We must consider that we were born for the good of the whole.” - Seneca (The Younger), 1st century Roman philosopher
The misconception that all English majors desire to teach or practice law arises from two distinct notions. Bertina Reed, Director of the Tennessee State University Center for Career Development, also believes the delusion with an English major’s career options “stems from traditions”. Reed stated that in the past, “the most prominent jobs for English majors were teaching and being lawyers.” Although this may be true of the past, we are now in a different era where English majors are no longer limited to one or two career paths.
majors develop there are endless job opportunities for them. Reed has assisted English majors obtain jobs in “retail-management, public relations, and healthcare.” However, Reed states, “if a student wants to go into an area besides teaching or law, they should take classes that will prepare them for that field.” Therefore, if an English major does seek to work in fields such as healthcare or business, it would be wise for him or her to enroll in elective courses pertaining to that area. These accounts show that English majors are not restricted to two careers. However, there are still people who believe that an English degree will not aid them in the future. Dr. Reed disagrees with this, “you have to find out what you are passionate about and remember why you chose to be an English major.” It’s time that people start recognizing that English majors have the same, if not more opportunities, than any other major. Once people begin to acknowledge our vast potential we will no longer hear that dreaded question, “so what are you going to do with an English degree?”
What people neglect to realize about English majors is that we learn more than how to write papers. According to Dr. Jennifer Hayes of the Recruitment and Retention Committee, the significant skills possessed by English majors are For students who “critical thinking and audience awareness.” would like assistance In addition, Reed believes that English ma- in finding career graduate school opportunities visit the Career Development jors “have a good sense of what is going on Center on the third floor of the Floyd-Payne Campus around them.” These abilities are desired in an Center or visit here endless amount of careers, thus making English majors marketable. With the multitude of skills that English
Meet Our Contributors Jennifer Shafer—Project Manager/Designer/Contributor “I chose to study English because when I think about stories, characters, language, history, and what it means to be a reader and an author, I get pumped. I feel a thrill and a rush of excitement, and all I want to do is share that with others, and to partake in their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
Kamri Jordan—Project Manager/Contributor “Why I chose to study English? I chose to study English because I need it in order to fulfill my dreams. My goal is to become a policy researcher and to have my work published in scholarly journals. Therefore, I chose to study English to advance my skills that are needed for this job. “ Cedric Dent, Jr—Lead Editor/Contributor “I chose to study English because I've been almost compulsively obsessive over words all my life; even as a Hip Hop lyricist, I attribute my experience and skill level to having approached Hip Hop from a literary perspective. I read and write constantly, and a degree in English can be applied to almost any field since it provides the "soft skills" that employers statistically want most these days. “ Elyse Johnson—Lead Designer/Contributor “I chose to study English because it is my life. My life has always revolved around reading, grammar, and writing. It's something that I genuinely love and enjoy doing. “
Aaron Walker—Contributor “I could no longer downplay or debase the power that words hold. I had to acknowledge my one true passion. “
Dr. Michelle J. Pinkard—Faculty Advisor “I study English because I recognize the inherent power of language to foster revolution. I truly believe that the right words, at the right time, in the right place can change the world. I am in constant pursuit of that formula, and it is my mission to share that truth with my students.”
We would like to thank: The creation of this project was built upon several collaborations with the following TSU entities: The Art Department, University Communications, and University Printing. We thank you for your insight and support.
The Critical Approach was a semester-long engagement for English majors and minors enrolled in Writing for Publication (Fall 2015). Students operated as an editorial board throughout the entire publishing process; from pitching story ideas, to interviewing sources, to copy editing and layout, and finally publication. Their expressed goal was to create a newsletter that made fellow Tennessee State University students aware of the developments in Literature, Languages and Philosophy. In doing so, they collaborated with several University entities to include: the Art Department, English Department, the WRITE Studio, University Printing and Communications. Let's celebrate their accomplishment by perusing the pages of the very first edition of The Critical Approach! Cheers!
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