Whirlwind Fall 2013

WHIRLWIND Fall 2013

Th e D ep ar t men t o f Eng l i sh

“My First Experience on an Academic Panel”

Learning outside the classroom is essential for a well-rounded academic experi-

ence. The Future(s) of Black Expressive Culture and the Humanities in the 21st Century Symposium

provided the opportunity for necessary dialogue between students, professors, and others

involved with the academic success of Winston-Salem State University. This type of aca-

demic discourse provides the campus community with a space to exchange ideas and to

think critically about issues that are oftentimes overlooked or overshadowed. The Arts

and the Humanities will remain the center for global change. The Humanities provides a

lens to examine stories about humanity and to reveal to the world (and sometimes to our-

selves) that inequities continue to exist. My hope is that every seed that was planted in

the minds of those who attended the symposium will grow and spread, not only on cam-

pus but out into local and global communities as well.

The symposium was a success in that it made students think; it made us aware. It

is clear by the dialogue that continues on campus concerning issues that were brought to

light that the symposium was necessary. In fact, events of this nature should be sched-

uled more often at Winston-Salem State University. Students need spaces where they can

wrestle with the questions that are pertinent to their learning experience and to voice

their concerns. I am appreciative of my first experience as a panelist. If I can use the

knowledge I learned at the Humanities symposium and in the Department of English to

awaken new ideas in just one person, then I have achieved my goal as a graduate of

WSSU.

-Stephanie Young

English Club Officers Dominique Johnson, President

La Shunda Booker, Vice President

Amber Greene, Treasurer

Nagina Woods, Public Relations

Representative

Erikka Berns, Blog Editor

Sigma Tau Delta Officers

Chani Forde, President

Myiesha Speight, Vice-President

Kayla Cyrus, Secretary

Briana Rose, Public Relations

Harvey Long, Treasurer

Special Points of Interest

December Graduates Alumni Spotlight Humanities 2310 Passage to India Departmental Clubs What’s New Drama Guild

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Wayne Terrell is a 2012 graduate of Winston-Salem State University and the English Department. He is currently employed with Amica Insurance as an Account Manager in Rochester, New York. While a student at WSSU, Terrell was an active member of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Socie-ty; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated; Mozik Modeling Troupe; the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and many other organizations. -Harvey Long

Name: Harvey Long

Major: English, History

minor

Hometown: Yanceyville,

North Carolina

Organizations: WSSU Honors Program;

Sigma Tau Delta International English

Honor Society; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraterni-

ty, Incorporated; and Student Govern-

ment Association.

Favorite Quote: “You are not to be judged

by the height you have risen, but from the

depth you have climbed.” Frederick Douglass

Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to attend grad-

uate school to obtain my masters in library

science at Simmons College, University of

Wisconsin-Madison, or The Catholic Univer-

sity of America.

TO OUR DECEMBER 2013 GRADUATES:

Name: Stephanie Jo Young

Major: English, Drama minor

Hometown: Conover, North

Carolina

Organization: Sigma Tau Delta

International English Honor Society

Interest: I am interested in women’s and gender

studies and serve as an advocate for any oppressed

groups, especially members of the LGBT communi-

ty. I would like to become involved in programs that

help abused women and children, LGBT youth, or

homeless individuals and families.

Favorite Quote: “Never look down on another

person unless you are leaning over to help them

up."

Short/Long Term Goals: My short term goal is to

write or edit for a newspaper or magazine. My long

term goal is to earn my doctorate and teach on a uni-

versity level. Hopefully, I can come back home to

WSSU to teach in the English Department.

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Humanities 2310 Course in African

American Culture Offers Students Rich

Cultural Experiences

The Humanities 2310 course in African American Culture has now

been in existence for almost twenty years. This course was devel-

oped as a result of a request from the student body that all students at

Winston-Salem State University be required to take a course in African American

culture. Throughout the years, this interdisciplinary course has provided students with

historical and literary information about African people throughout the diaspora. In

addition, students have learned about the contributions of African Americans in many

disciplines—history, literature, art, theatre, religion, music, dance, economics, poli-

tics, and so much more. Guest lecturers have enriched the course by coming and shar-

ing their expertise in their field of interest. During the 2013 fall semester, there were

four major guest lecturers: Dr. Elwanda Ingram, Dr. Corey Walker, Dr. Myron

Brown, and Ms. Marvette Aldrich. In addition, students watched two powerful docu-

mentaries: Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives and The Untold

Story of Emmett Till. It is the goal of those who teach the course to continue enrich-

ing, enlightening, and educating the students about the rich culture of African people,

a culture that has greatly impacted and influenced world culture in profound ways.

- Dr. Elwanda Ingram

My first visit to Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi, India was memorable, excit-ing, and rewarding. During August 2013, thirteen WSSU faculty members spent fourteen wonderful days touring India as part of the National Endowment for the Humanities India Area Studies initiative. My interaction with Indian faculty at LSR marked the beginning of scholarly exchange, collaboration, and research through complimentary academic focus on African literature, wom-en’s writing, and Feminism.

I was fortunate to receive a letter of invitation to present three lectures in mid- October 2013. My first presenta-tion, entitled Celebrating an Icon: The Legacy of Chinua Achebe, conveyed the importance of Chinua Achebe’s contribution as the father of African literature. The second lecture, Writing Back: Feminist Perspectives in Af-rican and African American Literature, presented an overview of major women writers from Africa and the Diaspora who have expressed feminist themes in their works. The final lecture, The Goddess in West African Religion, explored the female principle as expressed in representations of the Divine Female within a histori-cal context of West Africa, notably, through case studies of Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. My lectures were well-received by LSR faculty and students, and one of the important outcomes of the dis-course is the articulation of strong similarities between African and Indian women’s lives. Further, I have made inroads in researching Indian, Nepali and Tibetan women’s writing. These new works will form a unit on South Asian women’s writing in ENG 2306 Women’s Writing in a Global Context that will be taught in spring 2014. In addition, a joint publication on Hindu and African Goddesses is underway between myself and a scholar from LSR. In sum, firsthand exposure to a new culture has afforded multiple rewards and enhanced my knowledge and research into women’s lives as expressed in their literature. - Dr. Rose A. Sackeyfio

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The English Club is a steadily growing stu-dent organization in the Department of English. As in past years, the mission of

the club is to create an atmosphere of camarade-rie for English majors and minors as well as other students interested in literature and writ-ing. However, the goals have been streamlined to reflect current students’ interests and to solidify a presence in the department. The first goal is to advocate for freedom of creative and scholarly expression by hosting or supporting events such as spoken word exhibitions and departmental colloquia. The club’s second goal aligns with the Department of English’s efforts to attract more majors and minors. This past semester, activities

to support this goal included a tutoring session for students who needed assistance with their writings; a social for first-year students who have not declared a major; and participation in the Academic Majors’ Fair and Open House. Ultimately, the English Club hopes to maintain a continued presence in the department and to provide a

space for students’ creative and scholarly endeavors. -Imani Blaize

Sigma Tau Delta International Honors Society and the

WSSU Department of English hosted author Carl Web-

ber in September 2013. Before the general discussion

began, students were given the opportunity to

engage in a private conversation with Weber

about his writing aesthetics as well as students’

future plans. He talked passionately about his

writings and the ways in which his life experi-

ences inspired many fictitious characters. He

gave great advice to the students who were in

attendance and shared funny anecdotes as

well. Weber’s parting words stressed the im-

portance of remaining mindful of how our

education inform our future endeavors. Ad-

ditionally, he encouraged students to remem-

ber that their futures are full of opportunities

and potential curveballs. Our strengths lie in

how we respond.

-Chani Forde

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The Department of English’s Drama Guild, advised by Andre

Minkins, presented these plays during the Fall 2013 semes-

ter: Suzan-Lori Parks’ In the Blood ; William Shakespeare’s

Macbeth; and August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

Also, members of the Drama Guild’s Team Improv showcased

their talents by providing laughter in the breezeway of the

Thompson Center, including an hour long show called Stuck

written by the Team Improv.

As we look forward to Spring 2014, Drama Guild plans to

present The Color Purple written by Marsha Norman in-

spired by Alice Walker’s novel, Never Been Home written by

Shawn Whitsell, TopDog/Underdog written by Suzan- Lori

Parks and much more laughter from Team Improv.

-La Shunda Booker

Niya Johnson is a junior English major with a minor in Art. She has authored five novels

and just released her latest project entitled Beautiful Nightmares. Beautiful Nightmares is

a collection of fantasy short fiction that includes tales of ghosts, vampires, Greek gods,

angels, demons, zombies, immortals, and so on. Niya’s goal for her readers is to bring into

her world of writing and to ensure her readers that it is ok to be “weird.” Upon graduation,

Niya plans to move to California for a career in writing for television, to earn an MFA in

Screenwriting, and to own her own film company.

-Erikka Berns

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The Department of English will offer two new courses for the Spring 2014 semester:

ENG 3309—The Postcolonial Novel

Course Description: This course will focus on major novels by a number of important writers from former European colonies in

Africa, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and India. Students will also study texts and films that provide historical background on

colonialism and an introduction to postcolonial theory.

Prerequisite: ENG 2301 or 2302, Junior status; or permission of the instructor

Offered on Spring 2014:

ENG 3349 - The Vernacular Tradition in African American Literature and Culture

This course is designed to introduce students to the vernacular tradition in African American Literature through an examination

of the folk literature, the sermons, prayers, songs, etc. that are primarily a part of the oral tradition of black expression. This

course is designed to increase students' awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the richness of the African American vernac-

ular and the significant role it plays in the literature written by African Americans.

Dr. Rita Edwards’ ENG 2301 World Literature class hosted Dr.

Muaka to present “The Power of Orality in African Epic: Appre-

ciating Africa’s Contribution to the Epic Genre” as the first col-

loquia series for the Department of English during the Fall 2013

semester. The main objective of the presentation was to sensi-

tize the audience on the need to appreciate the creativity that

African oral literature encompasses. The presentation drew ex-

amples from several African epics including Sundiata Epic of the

Mande, people of West Africa, Fumo Liyongo of the Swahili in

East Africa, Mwindo Epic in Central Africa, Shaka Zulu from

Southern Africa, among many others. The presentation encour-

aged students to evaluate literary works from Africa by paying

attention to their social, cultural, and historical constructs.

- Dr. Leonard Muaka

Drs. Rita Edwards, Leonard Muaka, and David Siar

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Upcoming Conferences and Calls for Papers

Black Theater Network Annual Con-ference New York, New York (Exact location: TBA) Conference dates: August 1-4, 2014 http://blacktheatrenetwork.org/index.php?op-tion=com_content&view=article&id=8200&Itemid=405 Association for Theatre in Higher Education Annual Conference Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel (Scottsdale, Arizona) Conference dates: July 24-27, 2014 http://www.athe.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=6

College Language Association Annu-al Convention New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center Conference dates: March 26-29, 2014 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0t6nh4NTVzQUk9vTzZoUWJqeTg/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1

Conference on College Composition and Communication Indianapolis, Indiana Conference dates: March 19-22, 2014 http://www.ncte.org/cccc/conv

New Critics V: Undergraduate Litera-ture and Composition Conference SUNY Oneonta (New York) Submission date: March 3, 2014 Conference date: April 19, 2014 http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/english/conferences/ugconf.asp

Undergraduate Conference on Eng-lish Language and Literature University of St. Francis (Joliet, Illinois) Submission date: December 15, 2013 Conference date: March 15, 2014 http://www.stfrancis.edu/academics/english/ell/

Websites

Presentation Opportunities http://www.cur.org/resources/students/presentation_opportunities/

Undergraduate Journals http://www.cur.org/resources/students/undergraduate_journals/

Special Thanks to the Whirlwind Committee:

RaSheeda Lloyd

Dr. Tanya Walker

La Shunda Booker

Erikka Berns

Harvey Long

Martrese Meachum

Whirlwind Editors Dr. Tanya Walker Dr. Jim Dervin

Dr. Will Boone Dr. David Siar

Whirlwind Contributors Erikka Berns Imani Blaze

La Shunda Booker Chani Forde

Dr. Elwanda Ingram Harvey Long

Dr. Leonard Muaka Mr. Andre Minkins

Dr. Rose Sackeyfio Stephanie Jo Young

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