Blog | English Literature | York St John University
By Charlotte Stevenson
Each year, to accompany reading Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, third year students studying our Twentieth-Century Writing module visit the Brideshead of the screen, Castle Howard. Here Charlotte Stevenson reflects on her thoughts of the 2018 trip and her experience of reading Waugh’s novel.
Continue reading “‘Et in Arcadia ego’ – Reflections on Visiting Castle Howard”
By Charlotte Crawshaw
In the wake of Halloween, now more than ever monsters have been leaping to life from the pages of books around the world. In this Words Matter Creature Feature, Charlotte Crawshaw discusses representations of Witches throughout history from the past to the present.
Continue reading “Creature Feature: A History Of Witches Within Literature”
By Ethan Newton-Hamer
As part of our ongoing ‘Comfort Reads’ series, Ethan Newton-Hamer shares the story which initially led them to discover the Mortal Instruments series!
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.
The Graduate and Work Placement Fair is on Wednesday 17 October – 11.00am – 3.00pm at York St John University in Temple Hall. We have a range of employer attending offering Graduate and Year in Industry opportunities and Summer Internships/Placements, a list of the organisations attending can be found here [https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/careers-placements–opportunities/careers-events/employers-and-organisations-on-campus/#d.en.44720] and below. The Fair is an opportunity for students to not only find out about a range of careers but to gain confidence in speaking to employers and start to build networks.
Graduate and Work Placement Fair, 17 October 2018
11.00am – 3.00pm in Temple Hall
Don’t miss this great opportunity to talk to employers, discover what career prospects are out there and where you fit in!
Employers Attending:
The Distance
Postgraduate Study at York St John
Yorkshire Education
Wolsely UK
Clinical Selection Ltd
TransPerfect
HMRC
Anaplan
Technology in Play
Placer
NFU Mutual
ExP
The Grand Hotel and Spa
Civil Service Fast Stream
Royal Air Force
Step
Magical Maths
GradIntelligence
Stroud Resourcing
Mandarin Consulting
XCM
IDEXX Ltd
SimplyBiz
PureNet
Teach First
Yorkshire Graduates
Mitrefinch
Enterprise Rent a Car
by Charlotte Stevenson
Current student Charlotte Stevenson reflects on the weekend’s 2018 World Cancer Day and what this means to her. She speaks of the importance of raising awareness.
By Beth Davies
I’m fully aware all those reading this post right now have been sat eagerly by their phones, awaiting the tweet of a new Words Matter post. Well, I’m not one to disappoint. Here we are: grab a brew, sit and read all about my experiences at this year’s Waterstones Student Lock-In. I hope you made it to the night, but if you couldn’t attend we now use the power of literature to allow you to re-live it through words. Let’s see how it goes…
Continue reading “a cold cheeseburger & the waterstones lock-in, 2017”
On the 24th of June 2016 I woke up early to read the results of the referendum. I stared astonished at my laptop screen. I felt like I wanted to cry, but shock prevailed over everything else. I could not believe that the majority of people had preferred division over unity.
I am what Mr. Nigel Farage would describe as an “economic migrant”. I moved to the UK from Italy in 2008, after studying Politics and International Relation for three years, to find a job and to learn English. But more than anything else what led me to leave family, friends and sunshine behind was the excitement and the curiosity to experience life in a different country, to enjoy the beauty of communicating in a foreign language, the wonders of embracing different cultures, religions, cuisines, languages and everything multifaceted that this world has to offer us. I think of myself as a “cultural migrant”, as a person that enjoys freedom of movement and makes the most of the amazing opportunities it offers. The Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci wrote that “history teaches but it has no disciples” and I believe it is the perfect description of our times, of the way in which we have forgotten the mortal perils that lie in politically manipulating hate and fear to create division.
More and more often since the Brexit vote people I know or people I meet ask me, “what are you going to do now?” I still do not know what I will have to do in practical terms or if my legal status will change, and if so when. But I am sure that I will not change my nature, I will not give up hope, I will not stay silent. Over the last six months what has saddened and worried me the most about Brexit it is not that I will have to apply for a certificate of permanent residence that will basically state the rights that I already hold, but rather the ways in which people’s fears and hate have been opportunistically used. I was bitter and angry for days when a customer at work refused to be served by me because he did “not feel comfortable with foreigners”, and when another one complained because there was “not a British cashier in the whole store”. I controlled my reactions, and I decided that I did not want to answer fear with fear. It was time to put the anger to one side and make good use of my experience as a literature student.
I will not forget what studying literature at York St John is teaching me: that my opinion counts, and that my voice can be heard, and that hearing multiple and different voices is the most enriching feeling a human being could ever experience. I have always loved literature, but when I was younger I failed to see its potential. I did Politics at University because I believed that was the only way I could play a part in changing the world. Over ten years later, I married my love for literature with the knowledge that it is the strongest weapon of all. The ways in which literature enables us to understand the ways in which the world can be described, criticized, analyzed is not only stimulating for my mind but it also what gives me hope and strength and the will to live in a world where love, compassion and solidarity are stronger than fear and hate.
Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian solidarity worker and activist who lost his life in Palestine in 2011, wrote these words that I have taken as my own since the first time I read them: “We must remain human, even in the most difficult time. Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.” So, to answer to everybody who asked me what I was going to do after Brexit: I will stay human and I will speak up for humanity, and I will try to bring humanity to others.
The Writing Room Sessions:
Wednesday 27th April 1-4pm QE106
Thursday 5th May 2-5pm HG050
Thursday 12th May 9.30-12.30pm DG127
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.
‘The Student Pocket Guide’ are looking for new writers for their website.
They describe it as “a great opportunity for you to have your work published on a reputable website and… something to add to your CV”
Once they create a profile for you,
“you can log in and write an article for us any time you like! Ideally, this would be once a week, or more if you would like. We will also make it clear that the article was written by you.”
The magazine currently features interviews with Keith Lemon, Derren Brown and Embarrassing Bodies GP Dr Pixie McKenna.
Jenna, who works for the Guide writes,
“We have a variety of topics for you to write about – including music, film, TV, fashion, technology and student accommodation, to name a few.
If you’re interested in this opportunity then we would love to hear from you!”
Please contact me via email – jenna@thestudentpocketguide.com
In the mean time, please feel free to check out our website: http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/