In mid-March, YSJU’s Literature department holds its annual research showcase, in celebration of the scholars’ love of learning, reading, discovery, analysis and collaboration. While it might be disconcerting to share research when the world is literally on fire and families cross borders in desperation and in hope, Dr Anne-Marie Evans points us to the important work of literature to help us understand the world. And we can only improve the world if we understand it. Literature’s illumination of the state of society and the environment is one of the myriad ways that art is lifesaving. Let’s have a look at the understandings YSJU’s literary scholars are forging. Continue reading “YSJU Literature Research Showcase: What Are Our Tutors Up To in 2022? By Michaela Bosman”
Pride Month Sapphic Media Recommendations by Lucy Pettigrew
We kick off Pride Month with a great reading list with recommendations by Lucy Pettigrew. Do you have a Pride Month list you would like to share with us? If so, send it in.
In a world where sapphics (women who love women, named after the Ancient Greek poet Sappho) are still brushed under the carpet, I always find it difficult to find new media that discusses wlw relationships and feelings. So, I thought I’d compile my own short list of sapphic books, poetry, films and songs to encourage the consumption of more wlw media. Continue reading “Pride Month Sapphic Media Recommendations by Lucy Pettigrew”
Hidden Figures Screening: March 28th
By Charlotte Stevenson
On Thursday 28th March 2019 at 17:00, FT/002, York St. John Feminist Society will be hosting a free screening of Oscar nominated motion picture, Hidden Figures. The movie tells the story of mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson who produced defining work which made possible numerous NASA successes during the U.S. Space Race and beyond.
Continue reading “Hidden Figures Screening: March 28th”
Spells: 21st Century Occult Poetry by Abi Whitaker
By Abi Whitaker
In this Event piece, Abi Whitaker shares with us on a deeply personal retrospective of last week’s event for the launch of Spells: 21st Century Occult Poetry , a poetry anthology edited by Rebecca Tamás and Sarah Shin.
Continue reading “Spells: 21st Century Occult Poetry by Abi Whitaker”
black history and the transatlantic imagination
By Ellie-Anderson Ingham
I am currently trying to think of a word to encapsulate the sheer brilliance of the annual Black History Month talk which I attended yesterday. The ethos, which brought together provocative talks and inspiring speakers, was heart-warming. You could have heard a pin drop.
Continue reading “black history and the transatlantic imagination”
Upcoming events: Dialogue Day and MA Information Evening
Two upcoming events for current third years
On Wednesday 30th November we will be holding a Dialogue Day from 2.30-5pm in SK128. This is an opportunity for you to offer some vital feedback on your engagement with your Literature and Creative Writing Programmes, learn more about prospective careers paths, and reflect on your learning so far. This is intended to be a helpful and informative session to help you during your final year of study, and there will lots of opportunities for group work and discussion. Most importantly, there will be tea, coffee, and cake served for everyone! Please email Anne-Marie (a.evans@yorksj.ac.uk) if you would like to book a place.
Did we mention the cake part yet?
After the Dialogue Day, we’ll be holding an MA Information Evening for anyone interested in applying for the MA in Contemporary Literature or the MA in Creative Writing here at YSJ. This will take place on Wednesday 30th November at 5pm in SK037. You will have a chance to hear about the modules on offer, and ask any questions that you might have about postgraduate study. There will be wine and nibbles served at 5pm. Please email Anne-Marie (a.evans@yorksj.ac.uk) if you would like to book a place.
Borderlands symposium 6th June: programme and registration
We’re pleased to announce the final programme for upcoming symposium on ‘Borderlands’, organised by students on the MA in Contemporary Literature, has been completed. Download the Borderlands Programme here.
Borderlands are defined as being both ‘an area of land close to a border between two countries’ and ‘an area between two qualities, ideas or subjects that has features of both but is not clearly one or the other’ (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016). The significance of borders and borderlands has become particularly prevalent in contemporary society. Literature has always responded to the issues of its context of production such as Burke writing on the French Revolution up to and including Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s 2013 novel Americanah addressing global concerns of nationality and migration. Following recent events such as the refugee ‘crisis’, the Scottish Referendum, issues of borders are constantly being reshaped, creating liminal spaces in which literature can respond and has a tradition of responding to.
This one-day symposium invites critical reflection on the role of ‘borders’ and ‘borderlands’ in contemporary literature (from 1975 onwards). We aim to celebrate and reflect on a number of issues in current literature addressing ‘the border’ in its multiple forms: What do we mean when we talk about borderlands? How are borders represented in literature? Is role of the border more significant to different types of people? How is the role of the borderland important in modern literature? To what extent can both geographic and conceptual borderlands be considered social constructs? For further information, including registration, please contact the conference organisers: ysj.ma.symposium@gmail.com Follow the conference on Twitter @borderlandsYSJ Tweets by @BorderlandsYSJ
MA Information Evening, Thursday 21st April
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