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In profile: Janine Bradbury

Dr Janine Bradbury, Lecturer in English Literature

What are your research interests?

 

Broadly speaking, I’m very interested in issues of race, gender, and performativity in African American literature and American popular culture. My teaching and research spans a diverse range of topics including passing-for-white novels; drag; American professional wrestling; Black hair, beauty, and stylisation; critical race theory, and Afrofuturism.

 

What was your last publication about?

 

I’m putting the finishing touches to a book chapter about an American pro-wrestler named ‘Goldust’ who, back in the mid-1990s, toyed with androgyny and drag in his in-ring performances. Gold, glitter, and camp are three of my favourite things.

 

GoldustAugust2013

 

What are you currently working on?

 

I’m currently reworking my doctoral research on literary passing into various forms, and I’m drafting an article on the performer/actress Grace Jones.

 

Which modules are you teaching on this year? (UG & MA level)

 

Writing for Academic Success, Reading Texts 1, Literature at Work, American Literature, Space and Place, Gender and Sexualities, and American Literature in the Twentieth Century. I supervise undergraduate and MA dissertations (including several on African American women’s writing). I also contribute to modules on our MA in Contemporary Literature.

 

Is there a topic or text you especially enjoy teaching?

 

I obviously love teaching things related to my research interests, especially where there is scope for interdisciplinary learning and teaching (film clips, music, advertising, as well as literature). Highlights of the semester include lectures and seminars on Jennie Livingston’s documentary Paris is Burning (1991), the Harlem Renaissance, and Sapphire’s Push (1996). But I especially love working with our first year students on their writing skills – their energy and enthusiasm is infectious.

 

 

What do you read for pleasure, when you’re not researching?

 

I’m a big fan of contemporary American crime thrillers and I really like Attica Locke’s novels (The Cutting Season is my favourite, and I’m halfway through Pleasantville – she’s also a writer for the TV series Empire).  At the risk of sounding like I’m plugging it, the last book I devoured in one sitting was written by my wonderful colleague, Naomi Booth. It’s called The Lost Art of Sinking and I was utterly absorbed by it. I love sports writing and commentary –specifically anything to do with pro-wrestling. I adore books as objects and collect first and rare editions. I like books about art (books about Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher, and Lorna Simpson are on the coffee table at home). I also really enjoy podcasts (RuPaul has a great show, I was engrossed by Serial), audiobooks, and American TV boxsets (The Walking Dead, Mad Men, etc.).

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Talk on artist Tom Phillips’ “A Humument” project, 10 May

Lunch Time talk by

Patrick Wildgust and Lucy Shortis

On the work of

TOM PHILLIPS

Tuesday 10th May

12.30pm in Lecture Theatre QS111

 

We are delighted to welcome the curator of the Lawrence Sterne Trust’s Shandy Hall Patrick Wildgust and Phillips’ creative producer Lucy Shortis to York St John University to talk about the work of Tom Phillips and his extraordinary work A Humument.

A Humument 03

A Humument has been a work in progress since 1996 when artist Tom Phillips set himself a talks: to find a second-hand book for three pence and to alter every page by painting, collage and cut-up techniques to create an entirely new version.

 

The talk will share Tom’s work in progress and offer students the opportunity to treat a page to enter into a gallery exhibition of Tom Phillip’s work at the Shandy Hall Gallery Coxwold, from 8th May – 26th June.

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The Writing Room – new sessions

The Writing Room is an open space for Literature Students to discuss and develop writing skills.

I tend to scribble a lot
Image: Nic McPhee CC-BY-SA 2.0

The Writing Room Sessions:

Wednesday 27th April 1-4pm QE106

Thursday 5th May 2-5pm HG050

Thursday 12th May 9.30-12.30pm DG127

The sessions are not for assessing or marking work but for developing skills in peer review, confidence and writing.

  • Do you find yourself struggling with essays?
  • Unsure of the leap between A-Level and University?
  • Rushing before the deadline?
  • Don’t know whether it should be a semicolon or hyphen?
  • Want to hone your academic writing skills?

…then come along to The Writing Room!

A writing skills session dedicated to Literature students and run by MA Literature students

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“Ezra Nazi?” Prof. Matthew Feldman 27 April

 

Our Talking Literature, Talking Theory programme continues on Wednesday 27th April, when we welcome Professor Matthew Feldman, Professor in Contemporary History and co-director of the Centre for Fascist, Anti-Fascist and Post-Fascist Studies at Teesside University. Matthew is an expert on fascist ideology and the contemporary far-right in Europe and the USA.He has written widely on these subjects, as well as on the interaction between politics and faith in the modern world.

 

Matthew will be discussing Ezra Pound from first to second generation fascism in the seminar. His lecture, ‘Ezra Nazi? Reassessing Pound’s fascist politics, 1933-1958′  will present an empirical reassessment of Pound’s fascism.

 

The programme for the afternoon is as follows:

1330-1500: Seminar, DG/119. Preparatory reading to follow shortly. All are welcome to this event – all undergraduates students, postgraduates and staff.

1500-1530: Refreshments, DG/080 (foyer)

1530-1700: Lecture, DG/125 All are welcome to this event – all undergraduate students, postgraduates and staff.

 

We hope you can make some or all of these two events. For more information please email s.lawsonwelsh@yorksj.ac.uk

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Cityscapes: Media Textualities and Urban Visions. Registration now open!

YorkMinster 

Saturday 23rd April, 8.30am – 6pm

 

York St John University is hosting a one day conference exploring representations of the city and urban spaces in literature and media, organised by Dr Kaley Kramer and Dr Anne-Marie Evans. Drawing on the recognition of York as a UNESCO City of Media Arts and a member of the Creative Cities Network, this one day conference will provide a space for ongoing discussions about the representation of cities in literature and narrative arts, media, theory, and practice.

 

The event is FREE for YSJ students, and you can access the conference programme on the blog here: https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/cityscapesconference2016/conference-programme/

 

If you would like to attend and book a place, please register here: http://store.yorksj.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=2&deptid=7&catid=6&prodid=428

 

If you have any questions, please email Dr Anne-Marie Evans (a.evans@yorksj.ac.uk) or Dr Kaley Kramer (k.kramer@yorksj.ac.uk )

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MA Information Evening, Thursday 21st April

Literature Create 14sml

MA Information Evening, Thursday 21st April, 5.30pm in DG 125 (De Grey Building).

 

 

If you’re interested in studying for an MA in either Contemporary Literature or Creative Writing at York St John, please do come along to our Information Evening. You’ll be able to hear more about how the MA works, and learn about the range of modules on offer. Staff will be available to answer questions, and you’ll also be able to hear from some former MA students.

This event is FREE and wine and nibbles will be served.

If you have any queries, please email Dr Anne-Marie Evans: a.evans@yorksj.ac.uk

You can book your place here: http://store.yorksj.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=1&deptid=7&catid=17&prodid=1145

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In Profile: Julie Raby

Julie Raby, Head of Department: Humanities

Julie Raby

What are your research interests?
Contemporary Shakespeare performance, Contemporary Theatre, and Blended Learning strategies.

What was your last publication about?
A review of the RSC’s Henry IV plays.

What are you currently working on?
I’m writing about the RSC from 2008 to 2014. I am looking at the RSC in a contemporary theatre context. It is very exciting because it means that I can go and see lots of performances.

Which modules are you teaching on this year? (UG & MA level)
Shakespeare: Perspectives (a lecture this year), Media Geographies, MA – British Literature, Scriptwriting, and the postgraduate qualification PCAP. I did a lecture on Reading Texts 1.

Is there a topic or text you especially enjoy teaching?
I love teaching. I love teaching Shakespeare. I love to teach Shakespeare so that it is relevant to today. I enjoy bringing actors into the classroom to talk about their work, and work with students on the text.

I am very interested in looking at the relationship between technology enhanced learning, the classroom and field trips. I particularly enjoy taking students on trips to the theatre.

I like reading texts from all periods and in the past I have taught on Romanticism, Gothic and Horror, and several Media modules.

My favourite novel is Mrs Dalloway.

 

What are your wider interests beyond teaching and research?

Going to the theatre and Art Galleries. I enjoy writing my blog, Between the Acts. I spend most of my holidays either in a theatre or in a library writing about Shakespeare. It’s Sunday and I’m writing this in the British Library before going to the National Theatre to see As You Like It.

I also try to swim half a mile on weekdays and I’ve swum a mile across Lake Windermere and Salford Quays.

I love the countryside and like walking my dog, Shankly, with my husband when I get chance. We also have two ferrets called Beatrice and Benedick.

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Scarborough Writing trip

By Rachel Louise Atkin

 

Gothic fiction is actually pretty great. In YSJ Creative Writing society we talk about it a lot, as many of the novels in the genre make up a lot of our favourite books. We like to see Gothic fiction as something to do with the supernatural, contamination and Victorian repression, and with two of the committee members studying the ‘Gothic and Horror’ module, it has become a genre we are confident talking about and exploring.

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In February we took a day trip to Scarborough with the University of York’s own creative writing society, the Inklings. Initially, we went for inspiration (or really an excuse for a day out), but we ended up taking more away from the trip than we hoped we would.

The weather was overcast and windy without raining, making it perfect kite-flying weather. We ran around for a while on the beach first, writing our names in the sand and dipping our toes into the water which was way too cold to swim in. Far behind us was the seafront, revealing a stack of homes and winding streets which run all the way up a steep hill to Scarborough castle at the peak. The castle looks across the whole beach like it’s staged for a photograph, but it has been there since the 12th century and was used through the English Civil War. It’s open to visitors during the day, and once it closes it’s nice to have a stroll outside its deserted walls.

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A trip to the sea wouldn’t be complete without arcades, and so we spent a little of our time getting frustrated at 2p machines and getting our fortunes told. Stopping for lunch, we swapped writing tips with the Inklings. We discussed how we generate and organize our ideas, as well as sharing our favourite books with each other. Poems were written and read out using the sounds of the shore as inspiration.

Moving further along the literary trail, the five of us from YSJ headed to Waterstones (inevitably). After purchasing some books we began climbing the hill towards the castle and St. Mary’s Church which is home to the grave of Anne Brontë. It was here where we started making connections with Scarborough and the Gothic. We stood amongst the graves and looked down at the water lapping against the sand, hearing the whistling of wind through the branches above us. It was easy to see how people like Bram Stoker and Emily Brontë had become inspired by landscapes similar to this one.

image

Walking up to the castle and finding it closed, we sat on a bench at the bottom of the cliffs and looked out to the sea, sharing story ideas and brainstorming ideas. The five of us didn’t really want to leave this spot. Though it was cold and I could hardly hold my pen, the atmosphere was like a machine for generating ideas between us. We were desperate to get indoors so we could write down everything we’d experienced.

The day rounded off when both universities sat together in a pub and discussed everything they’d enjoyed about the day. 90% of people sat with notebooks and were scribbling things down about graves, trees, ruins and haunted mansions. It seemed quite funny that although we’d joked about going to a place like Scarborough for inspiration, we all came out of there with something we were completely itching to write about.

It’s amazing how we manage to find literary connections everywhere. Scarborough seems underrated compared to its neighbour Whitby, but I found its seclusion and uniqueness to be something akin to the isolation and individual feel to books of the Gothic genre. We hope to recreate the experience by heading out on more day-trips, and hopefully uncover more of the hidden literary world as we go.

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Visiting speaker: Veronica Barnsley (Sheffield) 16 March

The Literature and Creative Writing programmes’ research series continues with a seminar and lecture by Dr Veronica Barnsley from the University of Sheffield, who will be discussing the status of disaster studies and the concept of the Bildung in postcolonial criticism.

This includes a lecture at 15:30 in De Grey 124, entitled

Chasing the Postcolonial Child: Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People’

animal_statue05

Image: Animal by Eleanor Stride http://www.indrasinha.com/books-2/animals-people/animal-by-eleanor-stride/

Undergraduates and postgraduates are particularly welcome to attend. For more information, please contact a.beaumont@yorksj.ac.uk.

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“Just Do It!” Sophie Nicholls Guest Lecture For Our ‘Contemporary Writing’ Module

By Heloise Pearson-Child (English Literature yr 1)

Have you ever been inspired to go out and help others? To write that book? To meet those people? To do that charity idea? Well after spending just 40 minutes with Sophie Nicholls, a poet whose writing has raised awareness to the plight and strength of refugees, I saw an entire class of Literature students absolutely alive with encouragement. Never since the Viral Motivational Speech by Shia LaBeouf have a group of people been so ready to ‘Just Do It’. But why wouldn’t they be? Sophie Nicholls is living proof the power literature still holds in our world. During a time of rapid technological change and internet everything, words upon a page are as vital to society as they have ever been, as proven by Sophie Nicholls’ book of poetry, Refugee.

How often have we seen refugees as a group of victims? How often have we pitied them? Let’s face it, we all have, and that’s our biggest mistake. We see refugees as a collective group. As Victims. But worst of all, we simply ‘see’. We never take part, try to get to know their stories, or even actively try to change the situation. Yes we all can comment on a quote by David Cameron. We can all share that post about raising awareness. But we could be doing so much more!

Sophie’s poetry does more than these posts could ever do, because she brings us into the lives of the refugees. The group of people become individuals, each with their own inspiring and tragic story of survival, strength and cruel misfortune at the hands of others. Those ‘victims’ become strong, independent human beings, who deserve not our pity, but our help and kindness. They deserve a place to belong. They deserve a home. A community. A job. And basic human rights. They need us not to just see, they need us to talk about them, write about them, raise awareness about them. Writing is one of humanity’s greatest tools. It’s the permanent engraving of our own language, which allows us to tell and order our own stories that couldn’t be told without it. For refugees it can help them conquer the torture and torment they faced. For readers it gives us a connection to those suffering. It breaks down the boundary and makes their plight personal. And for a country, it can be spark that lights the fire of change.

So why not become that change? Well after seeing the way my seminar group reacted to Sophie’s lecture, we might just be. To see a group of students discuss the issues of politics and humanities in a way that would floor politicians has raised awareness of the power we all have. We all could be those people writing books and getting the word of the suffering out. We all could be that activist helping refugees write about the trauma, and just simply being a friend to them. We all can be that voice to tell government and law makers how we feel about the degradation of others.

Why let media control our lives, when we can control media! Sure we can’t control the news, but we can make news. Instead of sharing the photograph about refugees, be the person in the photograph, talking and helping refugees. Instead of commenting on the disgraceful quote by yet another prime minister, be the person in the quote. Be the inspiration that appears on people newsfeeds and encourages them to ‘Just Do It’! Finally, instead of liking some post about a shocking new book, art, news story etc. Be the one making that post. Write a controversial book. Do eye-opening graffiti that’ll annoy a community. Be the protester on the news. Be the blogger that doesn’t believe in the government. We can all be Sophie Nicholls; we all have our talents and strengths. So instead of sitting on our sofas, listening to everyone else and giving away useless pity; let’s be the leader of a change. One that sees humans not a swarm. Strength instead of weakness. And people with real stories that deserve our respect.

Today I watched a group of students become inspired to make a change. But who will inspire the students to follow? It could be you.

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Women’s history in York map launch: Saturday 5 March

 

Map Launching Event - advert materials

 

Saturday 5 March 2016

11am

York St John | Arts Foyer, Quad South

 

Come along to York St John University to hear about the creation of a new York map that charts the history of the city in terms of women’s achievements. Famous figures such as Margaret Clitherow, Mary Ward, Grace White, Elizabeth Inchbald and the Brontë sisters all claim some connection with York. Learn more about these brilliant women, and hear about the development of the project before setting off on your own self-guided tour of York.

To book your free ticket:

This event is organised by Dr Elodie Duché, Dr Anne-Marie Evans, and Dr Kaley Kramer

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Recruitment for YSJ Arts Magazine

So here’s the deal. Myself and some fellow students came up with the vision of a magazine produced, written and managed entirely by students here at York St. John. Recently it’s gathered a bit of momentum and has become something of a project (We are registered with the SU as society and have several members) and at this stage we are in need of talent, initiative, as well as some hard work to really get the thing moving. How much you want to contribute is up to you, maybe even just a suggestion or pointer. Understandably though, for this to work we need some people who are ready to commit and have a willingness to engage in productive relationships with others.

 

At this point the project has no unified vision or direction but plenty of enthusiasm and certainly on my part there’s a willingness to really get it organised and produce something really honest, inspired and creative; an efficient use of people’s talents; an entity that will flower and become a force that moves…

 

As the magazine is still in its formation we welcome ideas and vision, but it would be a good idea to briefly outline the sort of things we’re looking for to set you in the right direction. Think about what you’d like to see, what would be appreciated.

 

– ART. This could be articles, news and reviews of live music, literature, film, TV, theatre, exhibitions- interesting cultural events or festivals happening in York. The vision of the  magazine as being a space for people’s quality creative work is something I’d like to push. Think creative writing  (i.e. poems, short stories) photography and comic strips. There are endlessly creative ways this could be done. Maybe competitions and stuff like that.

 

-INTERVIEWS. Plenty of bands, artists and speakers come to town, some of whom would give us at least a few words. Some student interviews would also be good about topics relevant to student life. There are plenty of ‘ordinary’  people around here with charisma and something interesting to say, so some fun could be had. Academics? locals? People who are naturally dynamic and sincere in their interactions.

 

-STUDENT LIFE. Discussion of issues relevant specifically to life as York St. John student. News from societies, information about events happening at uni.

 

-FORMATTING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN. Especially as we’re going old school, experimenting with printing paper copies, it’s essential to have someone accomplished at this. Think about cover designs too. It would be nice to have some drawing, make it something aesthetically appealing.

 

Let’s keep it engaging, engaged, honest, informed, useful, quality, insightful, relevant, heart-warming where we can.

 

The current name of the magazine is ‘Square One’. I’m growing to like it, but let us know if you have any other suggestions.

For further information, contact:

Tom Found

Email: tom.found@yorksj.ac.uk

or;

Jack Niles

Email: jack.niles@yorksj.ac.uk

 

Here is the link to join the society if you’re eager:

http://www.ysjsu.com/groups/square-one-magazine

As joining requires paying a fee and it is a commitment, I’d suggest you question us thoroughly beforehand and make sure it is for you.

 

We’re looking forward, and I’m certainly excited, to hear from you.

 

Tom Found, English Literature year 1.

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Poetry Workshop: 18th February

 

18th February, 1pm-3pm

Skel room SK126

A free poetry workshop led by Jessica Davies of the University of Warwick with poet Giovanni Esposito.
This fun and creative workshop will be based on creating poems about supply chains. Also joining the workshop leaders will be musician Tommy Xiao Ji Wu who will be working with participants to add beats to their poems.
There are still 10 places left, which are available for YSJ English literature students. You can book a space for the workshop via email or telephoning the Converge office.
Email: k.joynes@yorksj.ac.uk
Tel. 01904 876902

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In Profile: Dr Fraser Mann

Fraser 2015

What are your research interests?

Twentieth-century American fiction, masculinities, war representation, creative non-fiction/memoir

 

What was your last publication about?

Norman Mailer’s Armies of the Night and its use of ambiguity. It’s a piece of participatory journalism that foregrounds Mailer’s subjective response to the Vietnam protests in 1968.

 

What are you currently working on?

An edited collection provisionally titled Music, Memoir, Memory with YSJ colleague Rob Edgar. It’s a look at the narratives involved in writing about music and the current trend for nostalgia and memorialisation. Plus, I’m starting the process of turning my PhD thesis into a monograph.

 

Which modules are you teaching on this year?

At UG level I’m teaching on Reading Texts I, Forms of Narrative, American Literature Space & Place, Contemporary Writing, Gender & Writing, and American Literature in the Twentieth Century. On the MA I teach on Critical Perspectives on Contemporary Literature, and Contemporary American Literature.

 

Is there a topic or text you especially enjoy teaching?

Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried. It is genuinely the most moving novel I have ever read. Simultaneously, it’s a slippery devil full of postmodern trickery!

 

What do you read for pleasure, when you’re not researching?

Anything to do with music, especially the American underground or electronic music. I also wait for any new John Irving novels with insane levels of excitement.

 

 

Follow Fraser on Twitter: @FraserYSJ