Course Announcement: English 373 From Courtly Love to Cannibalism: Medieval Romances MW 2:50-4

English 373

From Courtly Love to Cannibalism: Medieval Romances

MW 2:50-4

Romance is the narrative form of medieval sexualities and courtly love, but it also gives literary shape to social worlds in which a queer protagonist loses gender, skin color changes with religion, and a dog might be the hero of a tale. We will begin with texts that date from the Romance’s origins in 12th-century France and continue with the form’s development up to the well-known Middle English texts of the 14th century, including Sir Gawain and the Green Knight set at King Arthur’s court. Some of the topics we will consider are Romance’s engagement with the religious and ethnic conflicts of the Crusades, theories of good and bad government, and of course, Christian mysticism and the Holy Grail.

Call for Submissions of Art/Performance on Disruption/Disaster

Call for Submissions of Art/Performance on Disruption/Disaster

The College of the Environment Think Tank is inviting proposals for creative work on the theme of “Disaster” and the ways in which humans confront or survive disasters, to be shared with the public on Friday, March 2, 2018 in the Memorial Chapel as part of an event hosted by the COE Think Tank.

Below is the description of the themes we are working with.

Proposals can be submitted for the creation of new work, or for existing work.

We are able to offer $200 honoraria. In addition to sharing the work at the March 2 event, we will ask you to talk about your project in 8-10 minute presentation with time for the audience to respond and ask questions.

Proposals are due by Thursday, February 1, midnight.

Submit to: Katja Kolcio – Kkolcio@wesleyan.edu

Selection will be determined by Tuesday, February 6.

Work must be completed by Monday, February 26 and the event will take place Friday, March 2, afternoon-evening.

Please include:

Your full name

Wesleyan University Email Address

Your Wesleyan University P.O Box # (for payment purposes only)

Your Wesleyan University ID # (for payment purposes only)

Your class year and major(s) if you have declared.

Are you an international student? (for payment purposes only)

A 300 word (maximum) description of the work. A sample of the work or other relevant work if such exists.

A description of the format and technical requirements (Performance? Exhibit? Video? Music? Etc?)

THEME: FROM DISRUPTIONS TO DISASTERS: A LENS ON THE HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP

Since its inception, the Earth has had a violent history of disruption and disasters.  Volcanic eruptions, transformations of the atmosphere, meteoritic collisions, mass extinctions, moving glaciers, plagues, disease, wars, politics and belief systems are but some of the perturbations, natural and otherwise, that disrupt the dynamic processes of the earth and all life that has lived on it. Natural and anthropogenic perturbations across a range of scales set the Earth, ecosystems and human communities onto different courses.  While disruptions and disasters have been an integral part of the history and evolution of the planet, the relationship between humans and their environment continues to evolve as perturbations shift in frequency, magnitude and type.  These perturbations arise from both non-anthropogenic  and anthropogenic  sources.  But there is also a growing human-environment interaction that leads to disruptions and disasters at a variety of scales.  While some of the anthropogenic factors depend upon technological advances (e.g., nuclear radiation) other factors are ancient (e.g., the use of fire to clear large areas for agricultural purposes, such as in Ukraine, Indonesia or South America).

Our current world offers a series of profound challenges to humanity.  We are pushing our world towards a tipping point of climate change by our changes to the carbon cycle and use of fossil fuels. The social-political-ethnic-religious theater of rivalries and conflict intensifies as the environmental stage rotates. The biochemical machinery of humans and the biological world is now constantly challenged by exposure to a bewildering array of microbes, chemical, and other disturbance agents—to which, humans and other Earth inhabitants must continually adapt. In all of this, the human-environment relationship is cyclical. Both parts of the relationship manifest change in the other setting up an ever changing dynamic.

The 2017-2018 College of the Environment Think Tank will focus upon how humanity will confront and take measure of the human-environment relationship from diverse perspectives of biochemistry, ecology, socio-political-religious, somatics, art, and embodiment.

Thank you,

2017-18 Think Tank Members

Katja Kolcio, Chair and Professor of Dance

Ishita Mukerji, Professor of Integrative Science and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Marguerite Nguyen, Assistant Professor of English and East Asian Studies

Eiko Otake, Menakka and Essel Bailey ’66 Distinguished Visiting Scholar in the College of the Environment

Helen Poulos, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environment Studies

Apply for PIRG Campus Action Paid Positions

PIRG Campus Action works to organize, amplify, and empower students as we tackle the issues that shape our future, and we are hiring for full-time positions.

Click here to see more about the job!

We need to save the planet, defend the public interest, and protect consumers. To achieve that, we need to imagine what society should look like in the future, and we need to overcome opposition by special interests in the present to get there. The future belongs to young people. It’s up to them to dream it up, and their idealism, energy, and vision will build the people power to make it a reality.

 We know college students have the power to make a difference. From the Freedom Riders of the ‘60s to the voter registration

drives of today … from the anti-apartheid movement of the ‘80s to the drive for fossil fuel divestment now — students are always pushing our communities, our country and our world forward.

With PIRG Campus Action, you’ll work with students who, like you, believe it’s our right, and responsibility to shape the future we all want. You’ll work with students to decide the strategies and tactics they’ll use to run campaigns

that promote clean energy, public health, a stronger democracy and more.

 As a Campus Organizer, you’ll:

  • Engage and mobilize hundreds of students on issues ranging from tackling
  • climate change and getting big money out of politics to organizing voter registration drives and increasing recycling on campus.
  • Recruit and train students to plan and run effective campaigns on
  • and off campus, using skills like organizing news conferences, building strong coalitions, generating grassroots support and direct advocacy.
  • Build a strong, sustainable student funded, student run organization
  • on campus
  • Build relationships with other student groups, faculty and administrators
  • During the summer, each organizer runs a citizen outreach office.
  • You’ll recruit and lead a team of canvassers to fundraise for important issues.

We’re hiring for positions in California, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey, North Carolina and a few other states.

Application deadline is soon and positions

are competitive- please submit the application ASAP to be considered for our group second round interviews on 11/11/17.

Click here to apply today

WesMaSS Presents: The Big Roll Nov 4 at 10 am

“The Wesleyan Mathematics and Science Scholars (WesMaSS) Program plans to break the Guinness world record for the largest number of people rolling down a hill within an hour. This event is scheduled from 10-12 noon on Saturday, November 4.  Come join the fun and raise Cardinal spirit by having students, staff and the Middletown community work together to break a world record and get into the Guinness Book! COME for STICKERS, to WIN Cool Raffle Prizes, and a chance to throw your dorm a DESSERT PARTY!!!

Learn about Foreign Service Careers, on 10/19 at 12 Noon

Foreign Service Careers with Max Krafft ’09 Thursday, 10/19 12pm • Career Center

Max Krafft ’09 is a diplomat in the Foreign Service of the Department of State. His first assignment was to the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico. In November, he heads to Norway to begin his assignment to the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Max specializes in Public Diplomacy — a combination of public affairs work, planning cultural and educational programs and exchanges, and relationship building — but he also has experience with a broad range of diplomatic activities, including helping American citizens in distress (including those injured or arrested overseas), meeting with foreign government officials, and planning events with visiting American artists and authors. He speaks Spanish and Norwegian, both of which he learned at the Foreign Service Institute, as well as some German and Arabic. His pre-Foreign Service career includes stints as a marketing copywriter, video producer/director, bicycle mechanic, and baker.

Max began at Wesleyan with the Class of 2004, but took a break from his studies a couple years in, during which time he served in the U.S. Army as a bass guitar player in a military band. He returned to finish his degree in English with the Class of 2009, graduating with University Honors. While at Wesleyan, Max was active in the LGBT+ community and the campus music scene, and worked as a Writing Tutor and for the Sound Co-op. He is a member of the Eclectic Society and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Max credits his liberal arts experience at Wesleyan with helping prepare him for diplomatic work, which requires creativity, flexibility, persistence, and the ability to understand and communicate with people from other cultures and backgrounds.

https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/94417/share_preview

Winter Session Financial Aid Application Due 10/25/17

The application for Winter Session Financial Aid is open. To be eligible for aid, you must currently be receiving need-based Wesleyan grant funds, and new this year: International students receiving need-based grant funds may be eligible to receive aid for Winter Session! Need-based grant funds are limited and students also should expect to consider student loans. Applying for financial aid does not obligate you to take a course; if you’re considering Winter Session but are not sure, please apply for aid anyway.

  • Apply for Wesleyan grant aid by October 25, using the link in your Portal’s Courses Bucket.
  • You will receive an award letter Friday, October 27.
  • Enroll in your course beginning Monday, October 30: bring your paper enrollment form, award letter, and payment for the difference between tuition and your award to the Winter Session office (74 Wyllys).
  • If you plan to use student loans to pay for your course, please consult with your financial aid advisor to make sure you have enough loan availability to cover both Winter Session and the spring term – and to complete the additional loan request process.
  • Applications for grant aid will not be accepted after Wednesday, October 25. Need-based grant funds are limited and will not meet full need, as Winter Session is an optional term.

More information about Winter Session, including the course list, is available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/wintersession. Winter Session takes place January 8-21. Course registration, housing requests, and dining requests will open on October 30. Winter Housing and Dining requests will only be accepted until Thursday, November 30 at noon.

Please direct all questions to winter@wesleyan.edu.

Career Center – Law School Admission and Financial Aid Session

1. Law School Admissions: Process & Strategy

Friday, October 13, 12:15pm-1:15pm, Boger Hall, room 114.

Conducted by Elizabeth Madigan, Esq., Assistant Director of Admissions, Brooklyn Law School, this session is for students applying to law school AND for those who are undecided. Questions addressed will include: Should I apply to law school? Where should I apply? How do I strategically present my strengths and profile? How do I handle possible deficits? Ms. Madigan will cover all aspects of the application, including your LSAT score, transcript, letters of recommendation, personal statement and other essays, character and fitness issues, and resumes. You will gain insight as to how these components are viewed from the perspective of an admissions officer. Co-sponsored by the Gordon Career Center, the College of Social Studies, the Government Department, Deans Renee Johnson-Thornton and Jennifer Wood, and the Wesleyan Mock Trial Association. 

2. Columbia Law School & Financial Aid

Tuesday, October 17, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Boger Hall, room 110.

Danielle Lev, Associate Director of Admissions, Columbia Law School, will discuss this top-ranked law program, the nuances of the application process, and financial aid for law school in general. Of note will be Columbia Law School’s financial aid options. Note that Columbia Law School admitted three graduates from the Class of 2017. This information session is co-sponsored by the College of Social Studies, the Government Department, and Wesleyan Mock Trial.

Thesis/Essay Roundtables

From: Writingworks Wesleyan <writingworks@wesleyan.edu>
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Subject: Thesis/Essay Roundtables

Hello, Thesis and Essay Writers! Back by popular demand, the Writing Workshop is offering a resource that would support YOU as you write your thesis, and help the process seem less isolating.  Monthly roundtable discussions at the DFC with a writing tutor and four other students would allow you to discuss thesis topics, practice your “elevator pitch,” ask questions of others who might be able to offer useful suggestions, and even just VENT about how things are going for you as you’re planning and writing.  The costs of lunch would be covered by the Writing Workshop, and the time commitment is only one lunch hour each month over the course of October, November, and December.   

For those of you who might be interested, topics of Thesis Roundtables could include: Preparing for thesis presentations; how to talk about your thesis with your friends, professors, family, etc; “Does my research question make sense?”; what to do when your advisor doesn’t email you back; how to get the most out of thesis advisor meetings; how to make the most of the library resources; how to keep track of citations and sources; where to work if you don’t get a carrel; etc.

If this sounds like an opportunity that you’d benefit from, please fill out the interest form below no later than THIS FRIDAY, October 5th at 2pm.  As long as there is sufficient interest, we’ll then group you with four other students so you can set up your October lunch date. We want to help you enjoy the thesis-writing process!  

Best,

Emery Frick

Ford Fellow in the Writing Programs

307 Shapiro Writing Center

116 Mt. Vernon St.

Middletown, CT 06459

(860) 685-3125

writingworks@wesleyan.edu