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December 2009 A Publication of the Department of English & Literature Issue No. 4 |
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News from the Department of
English & Literature |
Four English majors
successfully presented their senior literature capstone projects on Wednesday, December 2:
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Stephanie Bell,
"Finding Meaning in the Epilogue of Crime and Punishment"
Ashley Haynes,
"The Disintegration of Myth in Naguib Mahfouz's Children of Gebelaawi"
Rachel Clark,
"Exploring the Spectrum of Determinism and Free Will in William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom!"
Kate Hoganson,
"Dick Diver's Demise:The Failure of Projection Identification Relationships
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Contragtulations to all four presenters on a job well done! |
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Faculty Focus: Professor
Amy Groetsema |
The faculty member many English majors know as Professor Amy Groetsema, coordinator of the Communication Arts and English Education major (CALE), will soon be Dr. Groetsema-Nelson. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in education, and she was married on November 21. In addition to these two exciting changes, Professor Groetsema will be taking a sabbatical during spring 2010. During this time she will be working on research for her dissertation, which asks the question: "What do student teachers understand about assessing the learning of their students?"
The aspect of working with future teachers that Professor Groetsema enjoys most is visiting school placements. She sees these visits as an important part of the learning process and loves observing the student teachers' significant growth during their time in the classroom as well as their interaction with their students. Professor Groetsema also loves teaching so much herself that she appreciates seeing her students transition from the role of student to the role of teacher.
While many significant issues exist in school systems today, Professor Groetsema sees strengths in Northwestern's education program because of how it addresses those pertinent issues. For example, education majors have placements in a variety of school settings, which help them to understand the complexities of teaching a broad range of students.
Like most English lovers, Professor Groetsema finds choosing one favorite author or book difficult. She does, however, especially enjoy reading and teaching drama. Two authors that have impacted her spiritually are Henri Nouwen and N.T. Wright.
Join our Facebook group "English @ NWC"
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| Featured Student: Kate Hoganson |
 Kate Hoganson is a senior English major with a literature and writing concentration. She is involved in a specialized area of writing--grant writing. Kate initially became involved in grant writing when she was offered a job by Alisha Cora in the Advancement Department last fall. She didn't know much about grant writing when she began working there, but she soon found that it fit well with her writing and administrative skills. Her interest and abilities in grant writing have been growing ever since.
While a student at Northwestern, Kate has had several opportunities to work with non-profit organizations, including House of Hope, MN Teen Challenge, and Southern Theatre in the Twin Cities. Kate's future goals include continuing her work with grant writing and learning more about other aspects of fundraising, such as major gifts and strategic messaging. After graduation in the spring, she would like to work for a non-profit in the Twin Cities, either in grant writing or general fundraising.
Several classes offered through the English department have proven helpful to Kate. ENG3248 Grant Writing provided the opportunity to work step-by-step through the grant writing process. ENG3125 Advanced Grammar encouraged greater stylistic control and variety. Kate has also been thankful for classes such as ENG3247 Technical Writing, especially when asked to create documents such as manuals and instructions. For those who are interested in pursuing grant writing, Kate suggests finding an internship in the field to gain additional contacts and experience. |
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| Announcements |
On Sunday, October 25, the Department of English & Literature joined the Honors Program in attending The Importance of Being Earnest at the Guthrie Theater. A good time was had by all!
Northwestern College Theatre performed Arthur Miller's The Crucible on November 5-7. Three English majors-- Merissa Kittleson (CALE), Drayton Jones (literature and writing), and Chris Blatchley (linguistics)--were cast members in this excellent production.
The department held its first Major Discovery event in conjunction with the Admissions Office on Friday, November 6. Prospective students and parents enjoyed dinner with faculty and current students, along with a sneak-preview of The Crucible from three English majors participating in the play. Professor Judith Hougen moderated a student panel of five current English or CALE majors (Stephanie Bell, Alyssa Borgstrom, Elyse Coleman, Jordan Madson, Catherine Rivard), and faculty and students ended the night by attending The Crucible together. |
| Classroom Commentary: ENG4846 Senior Capstone: Linguistics |
| This fall, a group of four linguistics concentration English majors are completing their senior capstone projects, which include individual research and presentations on their findings.
Katie Waldner: For my capstone, I'm doing a dialect study on the variety of English spoken by Hutterites at the Fordham Colony near Huron, South Dakota. The Hutterites are a trilingual people, speaking Hutterisch, German, and English. My work has been incredibly interesting both culturally and linguistically.
Catherine Rivard: My research project is focused on the dynamics of code-switching (or alternating between languages) within a bilingual English-Spanish youth group. It has been such a delight to apply my different classes in this research and draw my own conclusions from all the data, as well as to apply it practically in a real-life context.
Jessica Thiessen: This semester I have the opportunity to work with a Batak Toba speaker regarding the sociolinguistic factors and language change which contribute to this language community's increasing disuse of their Bible translation, published in 1894. I am really enjoying the combination of linguistics and Bible research, as well as the time spent discussing the Indonesian culture with my language participant.
Kayleen Mickelson: For my capstone, I'm studying the influence of Quechua on Spanish lexicon in Bolivia. I'm learning that it's nearly impossible to study language without also studying sociology, politics, and psychology. I have loved meeting with my Language Research Participant and learning processes that I'll use for most of my life.
You are invited to attend the students' senior linguistics capstone presentations on Wednesday, December 9, at 3:30 p.m. in the Youderian Lounge. |
| Book Review: Paradise Lost |
In the late seventeenth century, John Milton set out to write the greatest Christian epic in the English language. In writing Paradise Lost, he unquestionably succeeded. While other writers of epics had focused on wars and local heroes, Milton sought to tell the story of something that affects all of humanity: the fall of Adam and Eve. His goal was to "justify the ways of God to man" by recounting the fall of Satan, the war in Heaven, the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve, and the future promise of a Messiah.
For Christians, the experience of reading Paradise Lost is more than a literary practice. As Dr. Sally Harris says, it is "like listening to a symphony." The beautiful language and creative imagery bring the familiar story from Genesis to life in a new way. Experiencing the characters of Adam and Eve as they struggle to resist Satan, ultimately fall, and deal with the consequences of their sin makes the reader realize the fallen nature of humanity. Hearing with Adam about the promise of a coming Messiah brings a renewed joy at God's provision of salvation.
Current students who want to study Paradise Lost should take LIT3138 Milton in fall 2011. | |
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| Featured Alum: Nikki Clemson |
 Major and Year of Graduation: CALE, 2006
What are you doing these days?
I currently work at Irondale High School in the Mounds View School District. I student taught there and was hired after I graduated; this is now my fourth year. I teach 9th grade English and Mythology I and II. I am taking my first student teacher this year, too, and she is (of course) from NWC. My husband Mike still works at Northwestern in Campus Technologies, and we are new parents. Our daughter Amelie was born on July 2nd, 2009, and she keeps us very busy. It's been quite an experience learning to balance work and home.
How has your English degree from Northwestern helped you (spiritually, professionally, cognitively, etc.)?
I can't count how many times I have used the information I've learned at Northwestern in my own classes. Everything from Dr. Black's advanced grammar, Dr. Harris' literary theory, and all the wonderful literature from various courses offered at NWC have made it into my curriculum at some point. I also use all those argumentative research writing skills as I draft proposals and rationales for changes to Irondale's English program. I am incredibly thankful for the high standards in the English Education program. I felt more than prepared as I went into the so-called "real world." Here at Irondale, we are always eager to take student teachers from NWC because they are so well-trained, hardworking, and professional. Finally, I am so grateful for the professors that are willing to stay connected with their students who have graduated. Facebook is a wonderful tool, and I appreciate all the teaching tips, book recommendations, and encouragement that I continue to receive from both NWC faculty and alumni.
Any tips for current or prospective English majors?
Never stop reading and writing for fun. I know that sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the reading and writing we have to do that we don't get to what we want to do.
What is your favorite book or author?
As someone who reads about a book a week, it's so hard to choose! I love young adult lit, and lately I'm enthralled with Jaclyn Moriarty's epistolary novels Feeling Sorry for Celia and The Year of Secret Assignments. I am also a science fiction nut, and Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game, etc.) probably tops my list of favorite authors.
Anything else you would like to share?
As a teacher at a public high school, I see how much the world is hurting.Your words, poems, stories, books, lessons, and speeches are needed. Shine your light, Northwesterners! |
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| Chair's Corner |
In the poem "Journey of the Magi," T. S. Eliot recounts from the perspective of one of the three wise men their search for the baby Jesus. The poem begins by detailing the setting of their journey:
A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.
When the Magi finally reach the place where Jesus lay, the only comment offered by the speaker is that "it was (you may say) satisfactory." Acknowledging now that their encounter with Christ took place many years ago, the wise man quickly asks a piercing question: "[W]ere we led all that way for / Birth or Death?" The speaker concludes by admitting that the wise men are "no longer at ease" in their earthly "Kingdoms" with "alien people clutching their gods," for they desire a place beyond death.
Eliot's poem poignantly expresses the change within us that takes place when we meet the Savior. The miraculous birth of the Christ cannot be celebrated without recognition of His sacrificial death. To fully embrace Christ's birth, we must also accept His defining work on the cross and the changes within us that this acceptance brings.
The power inherent in the baby Jesus as fully God and fully man and in the risen Savior as the giver of eternal life should infuse us with confidence. We can continue serving Him this day because we know that we do not have to rely upon our own strength. Ultimately, we achieve success "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6).
Let's celebrate together the joyous birth of our Savior, our life in His death, and our victory through His Spirit. Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas, everyone!
Warmly,
Janet Sommers, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of English & Literature |
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