Blog | English Literature | York St John University
Join us for a talk with NUS Liberation Officers Eden and Rob. As part of LGBT History Month they will be sharing stories from their own personal experience and talk about the plans and projects they have for the upcoming months.
13:00 – 14:30
York St John Students’ Union
If you would like to find a bit more about Eden and Rob and previous projects they have been a part of then click the link below
In order to begin explaining my life after the three years studying at York St. John University (2015-18), I first need to highlight some events which occurred over my three years as a YSJ undergraduate.
I chose English Literature as my BA subject at YSJ for only one reason: my passion for books. I knew from a young age a University degree was going to be almost mandatory for future success. I chose to study at YSJ for one simple reason: it felt like home. I travelled from my hometown a few miles outside of Norwich up to York and instantly fell in love with the campus. Besides the stunning architecture, I instantly believed that the tutors at YSJ cared for me as an individual rather than merely a student on the course.
In the second semester of my final year, the University offered a 
module, ‘Literature at Work,’ which allowed students to explore the many avenues of employment after taking an English Literature degree. Within this module, most weeks consisted of a lecture and Q&A from people working in employment from journalism to publishing. Prior to my final year at YSJ, I had very little idea as to where my academic career was leading me. Again, I knew I wanted to work with books; however, my in-depth knowledge of specific book-related sectors was almost non-existent.
David Barker, who worked with Continuum publishing, later to be purchased by publishing behemoth Bloomsbury, offered an extremely insightful lecture on life in the publishing world. I instantly fell in love with every element of the industry and truly believed I had finally worked out the next step of my academic career.
I spoke to David after the lecture and discovered he was a lecturer at the University of Derby, offering a Publishing MA. After visiting an open day at Derby, I was offered an unconditional offer on the course. All of the events, from my initial conversation with David to the offer on the Publishing MA happened within a few months over early to late Spring 2018.
September 2018 saw the beginning of my MA at Derby. Throughout the first semester, I came to understand that without choosing YSJ, this opportunity may have never been offered to me. I have fallen in love with academia once again and now wish to pursue a career in Publishing after this semester. The MA offers students to create and engage with a ‘Major Project’ of their choice, where you must find and publish work of your choice (specifically written for the project). I decided to work with YSJ and their alumni in order to create a short anthology of work which can then be distributed to current and future YSJ students.
This piece has touched mostly on my academic life during and after my time at YSJ, but it would be unfair to leave without acknowledging the friendship and community which I have become a part of. I have made friends with students who I now see as friends for life, alongside creating bonds with tutors who I know are always willing to help with anything I need, even after my transition from student to alumni.
It’s LGBT History Month in February and we have some great events. How about coming along to this:
A talk with Kit Heyam. Former co-ordinator of the York LGBT History Month, and experienced trans-awareness trainer, Kit will return to York St John to share stories of trans and non-binary history and acceptance. Kit identifies as a non-binary transgender man and co-ordinates the Rainbow Plaques project.
This event is free and is open to all. The talk will be 45 minutes, followed by a 15 minute Q+A.
Book via Eventbrite here.
No sooner have you arrived than we encourage you to go away! Yes, for those students who want to take advantage of our Study Abroad opportunities, there is plenty of choice. Here are links to two recent dispatches from this year’s outgoing Study Abroad students:
Study Abroad Sweden! By Rose Kirby
Study Abroad: Amsterdam! by Oscar Williams
If you would like to write about your Study Abroad experiences, either visiting us or visiting our partner institutions, please get in touch with the Blog Team.
As we continue with our review of the past year in Literature at YSJ, let’s not forget those wonderful graduates who have flown the nest. Some come back of course to study on our post-graduate programmes and some, like our very own Fraser Mann, love us so much that they even come back to lecture! Once part of the YSJ Literature Family, always part of the YSJ Literature Family. Here are some posts from our undergraduate students of yesteryear to inspire you.
Recent Literature Graduate Writes Open Letter to York St John University, With Love.
“best years of my life”: recent literature graduate rhiannon young tells her YSJ story
“it was empowering”: recent literature graduate bethan jarvis tells her YSJ story
If you would like to share your experiences of studying literature at York St John or updating us on what you are doing since graduating, please get in touch with the Blog Team.
Dear Blog Writers and Want-to-be Blog Writers,
Don’t forget our Christmas Social next Monday, 10th December, in Cordukes CD002.
If possible, could you let me, Adam or the school office know if you are coming – just so that we can guestimate the festive refreshments! Also, please feel free to bring along any interested friends who might want to get involved.
We’re really looking forwards to seeing you there!
Seasons Greetings to you all.
On Monday, 3rd December, the front of York St John was lit up purple for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. For Disability History Month (22 November to 22 December) we have reblogged a post from one of my personal blogs, Saffron Muses. I developed this from a reflection that I originally wrote in 2015 as part of my Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellowship application, which focussed on inclusion and diversity. It is the first in a planned series of reflections on my experiences with and strategies for dyslexia and dyspraxia. I am writing from a staff perspective, but reflect on when I was an undergraduate student. If you are a student and feel that this resonates with you, too, contact the disability team.
Continue reading “The Dyslexic Academic: Reading and Me (Disability History Month)”
This is the second of this year’s dispatches from our outgoing Study Abroad students. We hope it inspires you to go on your own Study Abroad adventures. Scroll down for further information on how to apply.
Living and studying in Amsterdam has been one of the most formative experiences of my life. I love the place. It’s unlike anywhere else, you can be whoever you want to be here and there’s always something going on. Compared to cities like London or New York, Amsterdam feels more provincial—less intimidating. Nowhere is more than 30 minutes way by bike, everyone is friendly and there are several inner-city parks and forests. But at the same time, it also feels like one of the cultural capitals of the World, housing the largest collection of Van Gogh’s artwork, a thriving counter-culture and countless museums. Continue reading “Study Abroad: Amsterdam! by Oscar Williams”
Study abroad opportunities
YSJ has links to universities across Europe, North America and beyond where you can spend time as part of an English Literature Single Honours or Joint Honours Degree. There are fee discounts and grants available. If you’d like to find out more about the amazing opportunities on offer, and hear from students who have just returned from studying abroad, please come along to an info session in TU101 on 15 November at 11.30am with tutors and members of the study abroad team. Please click here to reserve a place for free coffee and Danish pastries.
If you’re unable to make the session, you can also email the Study Abroad tutor, Adam Stock (a.stock@yorksj.ac.uk), or the Study Abroad team (studyabroad@yorksj.ac.uk) for further information. Hope to see you there!
Click here to read Rose Kirby’s experience in Sweden this semester
This is the first of this year’s dispatches from our outgoing Study Abroad students. We hope it inspires you to go on your own Study Abraod adventures. Scroll down for further information on how to apply.
Hej! It’s the first word out of everyone’s mouth here and it has made Sweden feel like a little piece of home with that one word. Travelling the world and immersing myself into its different cultures has always been a passion of mine. I leapt at the opportunity of Study Abroad, and through all the help and support I gained from my academic advisers, emailing lecturers, and the Study Abroad team, I made it through to the other side! I arrived in Sweden to study at Stockholm Universitet as an exchange student, and from the airport to my first Uber (yes they have it here -cheaper than a taxi by far) I was welcomed as an exchange student and new contributor the vibrant city of Stockholm. The transport, forward-thinking approach to economic, 
environmental and gender inequality issues makes Sweden safe and progressive to move to as a foreigner. The language is not the easiest to decipher but ask anyone, with a handy phrase like ‘talar du engelska snälla?’ and they’ll gladly try their best to help you out. The most rewarding experience I’ve had while here in Sweden is the experience of my subject, English Literature, from the perspective of a whole other culture! The mixing of multiple different students from all over the world, studying different degrees, all discussing and debating literature has made me enjoy and perceive my subject in a whole new light. Although I miss some occasional ‘y’alreeyt m’luv y’look like ye been drag’d through’t a ‘edge backward’ I’ve made some wonderful friends with people from all over the world, and some Brits along the way too. It’s normal to be apprehensive and worried, it’s a long way from Yorkshire, but remember everyone else is in the same boat and all you can do is embrace every moment you have to make new memories! Since coming to this country I’ve travelled to Russia (I’m not saying just go for the architecture in St Petersburg but there is that and €2 vodka), Estonia, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Germany, so keep in mind that studying is important but so is being able to see the world and especially with new friends. Embrace people different to you (they don’t drink as much as brits, but they love the outdoors and they have many national parks) and ask questions, be polite, and you can’t go wrong. Also one last thing, the North Vs South divide has been brought to Sweden, and take it from a room of Germans, Swedes, Canadians, Maltese, Belgians and Australians at a very English Halloween party (they don’t really do it over here): the North has the more preferred English accent! #YorkshireWins #YSJFamily
Tack så mycket & hej då!
P.S. You’ll learn you’re pronouncing Ikea wrong!
Study abroad opportunities
YSJ has links to universities across Europe, North America and beyond where you can spend time as part of an English Literature Single Honours or Joint Honours Degree. There are fee discounts and grants available. If you’d like to find out more about the amazing opportunities on offer, and hear from students who have just returned from studying abroad, please come along to an info session in TU101 on 15 November at 11.30am with tutors and members of the study abroad team. Please click here to reserve a place for free coffee and Danish pastries.
If you’re unable to make the session, you can also email the Study Abroad tutor, Adam Stock (a.stock@yorksj.ac.uk), or the Study Abroad team (studyabroad@yorksj.ac.uk) for further information. Hope to see you there!
YSJU’s Equality and Diversity Adviser, Marije Davidson, will be a panellist in an upcoming radio discussion about disability and discrimination in York. The recording is open to the public, so you can attend too (and ask questions)!
Saturday 17th November – from 3:00pm
(John Cooper Studio, 41 Monkgate)
Two Rivers Community Radio will be recording their panel show ASK YORK on Saturday 17th November as part of the 2018 YORights festivals. This year we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
At this event, the panel will discuss disability and discrimination. We will take questions from the audience, and hope for a lively discussion.
The show is being recorded live, and will be aired on Monday 3rd December, the International day for Persons with Disabilities.
The recording starts at 3:00pm
UDHR – Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ask-york-disability-and-discrimination-tickets-50846068961
Join us to celebrate the third annual edition of York Literary Review, an international journal of new writing, co-edited by Creative Writing staff and postgraduate students at the York Centre for Writing, York St John University, and published by Valley Press.
Waterstones York
Thursday, 8 November
From 19:00
We are delighted to be joined by some of this issue’s contributors, for readings of fiction, poetry and non-fiction: William Davidson, Nia Davies, Gloria Dawson, Ben Garlick, Rachel McHale, J. Jacqueline McLean and Natalie Scott.
There will be complimentary drinks.
Post Graduate Open Evenings
Wednesday 7 November 2018
Wednesday 20 February 2019
4.00pm – 7.00pm, Temple Hall
Book your place: www.yorksj.ac.uk/postgraduate
For more information about the event contact
studentrecruitment@yorksj.ac.uk
These evenings are an opportunity to meet staff and current
students, explore the campus and find out more about life as a
Postgraduate student at York St John University. There will be an
opportunity to find out more about specific courses, and chat to
staff from the finance and admissions department.
Postgraduate study is an increasingly popular way to continue your
professional and personal development, and government loans are
now available to help you pay for your course.
Learn more, earn more and achieve more with a Postgraduate
qualification from York St John University
See the leaflet by clicking on the link below:
Or by clicking on this link to book
A week today, the York Centre for Writing is hosting a very special event. The Northern Fiction Alliance is an exciting collective of publishers joining together to showcase publishing in the north of England and to challenge London-centric literary culture. While their location is local to us, the reach of these publishers is global: the Alliance includes Peepal Tree Press, a leading publisher of Caribbean writing as well as Black British literature, and Tilted Axis, a pioneering publisher of fiction works in translation in the UK (they recently published the first ever Thai work of fiction translated into English).
Publishers and authors reading on the night will include:
And Other Stories, with Northern Book Prize winner Amy Arnold
Bluemoose Books
Comma Press, with Gaia Holmes
Dead Ink Books, with SJ Bradley
Peepal Tree Press
Tilted Axis Press, with Hamid Ismailov
Valley Press, with Nora Chassler
We would love to see York St John students at the event, so book yourself a free ticket to join us and to find out more about the innovative work these publishers are producing. Tickets are free for students and staff, but booking will help to make sure we have enough wine, so please do! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-fiction-alliance-roadshow-tickets-49640463964
Thomas St Quinton, PhD student at Leeds Trinity University, is investigating ways to promote physical activity within first-year undergraduate students. The study uses text messages to persuade students to be more physically active and is conducted online- please see the recruitment poster below.
The study has received ethical approval from the School of Social and Health Sciences ethics board, Leeds Trinity University (ref: SSHS/2018/024).
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form at the link here.
