Department News and Events
Activities and events within the department afford LLP students the opportunity to explore creative aspects of language, literature and philosophy beyond the classroom. Events include publications, conferences, informal reading groups, spoken word events, public lectures, drama and film screenings. To learn more about LLP events, feel free to reach out to the department: Contact Us. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Kudos to Dr. Jennifer Hayes Hayes' article, "New Horizons: A Literary Field Study of Nella Larsen's Passing," is published in the Summer/Fall 2019 issue of the South Atlantic Review (84.2-3). SAR is the official journal of the South Atlantic Modern Language Association. |
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Home Depot Retool Your School Congrats to Dr. Heidi Williams and her students in their significant participation in The Home Depot Retool Your School Campus Improvement program. “I had never seen students take things so seriously, and work so hard on an assignment,” Williams said. “They didn’t do it for a grade. They did it for themselves, for each other.” Learn more about their efforts by clicking here: Newsroom |
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Congrats Dr. Michelle Pinkard, recipient of 2019 Outstanding Community Service/Civic Engagement Project Kudos to Dr. Michelle Pinkard, the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Community Service/Civic Engagement Project Award. "The award recognizes a project that includes an excellent service experience for students, engages community partners, and uses critical reflection." Dr. Pinkard earned this honor with her students and a collaboration with the History and Art departments for the production of Spirits of the South: What I Almost Forgot. https://issuu.com/tsullpdepartment/docs/slaveanthology |
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Congrats to the 2019 inductees of Sigma Tau Delta LLP sends a hearty congrats to the new inductees of the Alpha Alpha Eta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society. The organization was founded in 1924 to "confer distinction for high achievement in english language, literature and writing; and to foster literacy and all aspects of the discipline of English." These students were nominated by English faculty because of their academic accomplishments. Kudos to Rebeca Garcia-Chavez, Chelsie Nitschke, Mckenzie Reid, and Olivia Bohanon (not photographed)! |
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Congrats to Kamri Jordan, Class of 2017, recently accepted into the Literature PhD program at the University of Memphis Jordan is weeks away from obtaining her Masters degree. Next fall, she will begin her pursuit of a doctoral degree as part of her career goal of becoming a college professor. Jordan also earned a fellowship that will cover tuition while she teaches at UM. We are proud of this LLP alum, and we look forward to seeing her accomplish great feats in her academic and professional career. |
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I Want to Write 2019 Registration is Open! You are cordially invited to the Tennessee State University 4th Annual "I WANT TO WRITE" Conference. This FREE two-day poetry, spoken word and performance extravaganza will be held during national poetry month on April 19th and 20th, at Tennessee State University's main campus. It features Poetry Writing and Spoken Word Workshops sponsored by TSU’s English Department, Southern Word, TSU Media & Libraries, Regional Authors, and Soul Fire Poetry Organization. This year's theme is "Poetic Arts as Healing." It will feature workshops such as, "TEXTUAL HEALING: How words treat trauma"; "BIBLIOTHERAPY:Getting lit to remedy life's lows"; "FREEDOM IN THE FREESTYLE: Words winged to soar in art and everyday life" and many more! Learn more and register at the conference's website: I Want to Write 2019. |
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Introducing the new Student Spotlight Olivia Bohanon LLP major Olivia Bohanon is our latest spotlight. Bohanon has dreams of becoming a educator, and sharing her love of language with young students in need. She writes, "I have always enjoyed reading and writing. This is a passion of mine and I feel as though I am comfortable enough to do this for my entire life." Learn more about her, and our other student spotlights, by visiting the Student Spotlight page. |
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Spanish Table Returns Join us for Spanish Table Talk every Tuesday 2:20 - 3:20, Humanities Building, Room 103. For any further comments, questions, or ideas, you may reach Prof. Clara Mojica-Díaz at cmojica@tnstate.edu. |
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African American Read-In The Black Arts and Literature faculty of the Language, Literature, and Philosophy department presents the African American Read-In between 12:30-1:30p, Feb. 8, Humanities Building, Room 113. For one hour, enjoy hearing literature written for and about the Black experience. Faculty, Staff, and Students are invited to come read, listen, or recite examples of African American literature or their own creative works. |
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P.A.S.S. is back! |
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TSU's GSA is hosting Pride Training, and everyone is welcome. The event will be held between 9-12p, Friday, Feb. 8th, Humanities Building, Room 113. For more information, Contact Dr. Jill Anderson. To learn more about GSA and related events, click here: GSA Webpage. |
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Introducing the new Social Media Intern: Barbara Olivis Olivis is the LLP Social Media Intern. She will find new and inventive ways to keep you informed. She will manage the LLP Twitter, Facebook, and Blog Accounts with on the scene reporting and in-depth interviews. Her first blog has already been posted. She writes: " If I do my job effectively, all LLP students and faculty that read my blogs will feel updated, stimulated, and represented." Check out her blog, and get reviews and all the news with Barbara. |
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Soul Fire Returns Spring 2019Soul Fire Poetry Group and Workshop will this spring. The first meeting of the year will be held at 5 p.m., Weds., Jan. 30, Humanities 103, and every Wednesday after. This departmental organization meets once a week to hone poetry writing and performance skills, organize open mic performances, and to workshop their ideas. It features a Poet Mentor from Southern Word, who helps students craft their skills. Learn more about their efforts by clicking here: Soul Fire Mini-Documentary. Faculty Adviser: Dr. Michelle Pinkard. *Check Out Spoken Word Performances by the Soul Fire Members and Friends. |
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New Pub!:
Spirits of the South: What I Almost Forgot
Students enrolled in Writing for Publication Fall 2018 produced this evocative publication as part of a service-learning contribution to the I Want to Write Initiative. In this semester-long pursuit, students researched and visited area plantations, then wrote poetry reflecting their experiences. Collaborations with TSU's History and Art departments helped in bringing this effort to fruition. LLP celebrates their engaged effort and looks forward to future publications from these promising students. |
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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 first installment is from our very own social media intern Lynne Barras, and it is currently available. You can check out all the blog entries by visiting our department's blogsite every day this week. Click here: WFP Blog Series. |
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Dr. Jill Anderson presents: Research Roundtable for the Humanities Dr. Anderson will present her research project paper at the next Research Roundtable. The essay is titled: “'Eat Dirt and Die, Trash': Tacky, White Southerners in The Golden Girls and Murder, She Wrote." The Research Roundtable is an opportunity for Liberal Arts Faculty to present & talk about their current research or creative project. The level of engagement and mode of presentation is up to the individual, but don’t miss this to be a chance for faculty to spend some time discussing their work & bouncing ideas off others in other disciplines. The presentation is scheduled for November 2, 2018, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., RSP, Room 163. Please RSVP to: NKovach@tnstate.edu. |
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Introducing the new Social Media Intern: Tarrolyn Barras Barras is the LLP Social Media Intern. She will find new and inventive ways to keep you informed. She will manage the LLP Twitter, Facebook, and Blog Accounts with on the scene reporting and in-depth interviews. Her first blog has already been posted. She writes: "I hope for some intriguing responses, and that you enjoy what you see from me this semester. I intend to give you 210% and to make you all proud." Check out her blog, and get reviews and all the news with Lynne. |
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The Green Kabaret Returns! Prof. Marsha Williams and her Freshman Composition students will organize a Green Kabaret. This Service Learning initiative will involve United Nations youth advocate, Nishat Mirza, working as a mentor with classes. From NYC, Ms. Mirza will communicate with students as they explore through the research and writing about environmental degradation impacting their own communities---whether it be through contaminated public water supplies, such as occurred in Flint, Michigan two years ago, or through a school-funding system based on property values negatively impacted by environmental degradation. Students’ voices will be heard through Ms. Mirza’s weekly icastnews broadcast in dialogue with other international youth sharing stories of environmental degradation impacting them and their families. "A key outcome of such interaction will be an understanding of how regional and global problems intersect but also of the hope found in carving out ways forward together." Learn more about this exciting project by contacting Prof. Williams. |
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Blacks
in Europe: LLP to take 10 students to Copenhagen during Maymester |
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Congrats to Dr. Rebecca Dixon, who will be on sabbatical Fall 2018! Kudos to Dr. Dixon who earned the Non Instructional Assignment Grant for Fall 2018. This competitive award relieves a single faculty member from all faculty duties for one semester in order to pursue research, publication, or creative activity opportunities. She will be missed this semester, but we wish her luck in her scholarly pursuits. Dixon is the Coordinator of the Women's Studies Program. Her areas of specialization are Post-Colonial, African, Diasporic Literature, and Gender Studies. |
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"We Want Live Words!" Soul Fire Poetry Group and Workshop will return Fall 2018. The first meeting will be held at 5 p.m., Weds., Sept. 5, Humanities 103, and every Wednesday after . This departmental organization meets once a week to hone poetry writing and performance skills, organize open mic performances, and to workshop their ideas. It features a Poet Mentor from Southern Word, who helps students craft their skills. Learn more about their efforts by clicking here: Soul Fire Mini-Documentary. *Check Out Spoken Word Performances by the Soul Fire Members and Friends. |
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Our news develops over the school year as students and faculty participate in TSU activities, present at conferences, explore through class activities, and much more. We hope you will check back frequently to see what we are doing! Please report news to LLP Webmaster Dr. Michelle J. Pinkard.