About the English Department at the New York University - Essay Example

About the English Department at the New York University Introduction The English Department at the New York University, located in USA, is among the best Universities of the world. This department is associated with many scholarly faculties. The English department supports graduate programs in English and Literature. It also offers Creative Writing students in fiction and poetry. They can choice between an M.A. degree in English with a concentrating in creative writing and an M.F.A. degree. They offers Undergraduate English program as major or minor in English and American literature with a varied curriculum. The English department also offers minor in Creative Writing. The Department of English at New York University studies and teaches English language literature from various periods and places. The university trains their students in close reading, historical and archival research, literary theory, the history of the book, media theory, and cultural analysis. Every year NYU attracts applicants from various parts of the world for graduate study. Many of these graduate students do not belong to the New York City, so to make the programs attractive the existing graduate students has created a strong community. The undergraduate Creative Writing Program offers workshops, reading, internships, writing prizes and events. The graduate Creative Writing Program at NYU consists of a community of writers who works in a supportive and challenging atmosphere. The faculty members of the department also contribute to build a strong community for the students who come to study here. According to me it’s not only the educational programs but also the strong sense of community which attracts prospective students every year. Thesis The internship, work of graduates, building and maintaining strong community is all about the literacy study here. All the participants have their individual role in the department. If every participant maintains the performance in a progressive manner then the English Department of New York University will be able to maintain its position, which will bring new members every year, who will also gradually contribute to the existing community to take it to another level and maintain it position thoroughly. Statement of Significance The purpose of this study is to identify how literacy practices contribute to the community, and what is the role of each member belongs to the community. As mentioned above writing and reading considered to be the most important literacy practice. They also produce high quality literary journals. Students actively take part in vibrant literary community and engage themselves in all aspects of the literary arts like writing, reading, teaching, publishing and community outreach. It is indicated by the graduate students of this department that writing creates identity both here in the department and beyond. So it is to be understood in this report that writing is an assumed literacy practice that is said to be an essential part of the performance, although it is not a separate literacy practice. Performing respective roles in English department is important to faculty, current graduate students and prospective graduate students. To make this report more significant it is expected that certain members of the community will perform certain roles. It can be assumed that members from the community will perform in respective ways to enrich their own academic careers as well as they will support the community. In other words, the strength of the English department at NYU is highly dependent on the effective and successful performance of all its members. In order to look into the matter of literacy practice of the English department, I have collected few samples which include fiction reading, poetry reading, and poets in conversation. Along with this I conducted two interviews: one with graduate coordinator of GEO that is Graduate English Organization of NYU and another is a graduate student who represents use of literacy within the department. The questions I have arranged as my evidence I will describe below. Some physical evidence I have collected for this interview is listed below. Literacy Practices Inventory: Reading Series- Literacy Practice Source Location Fiction reading New York University department website http://cwp.as.nyu.edu/page/readingseries Poetry Reading New York University department website http://cwp.as.nyu.edu/page/readingseries Poets on Conversation New York University department website http://cwp.as.nyu.edu/page/readingseries The Emerging Writers Reading Series Student found near the department Campus Writers in Conversation Student found near the English department Campus Applying for graduate work in English at the NYU Student found near the English department Campus Communication amongst graduate students Graduate students via email Online and wherever graduate are at the time they read emails Literacy practices within the English department community Interview with the Graduate coordinator at the NYU GEO community Informing Internet users about the English department New York University department website http://nyugeo.wordpress.com/ Description of the Evidences 1. Fiction Reading – The department of English ahs arranged for fiction reading. Some acclaimed author will be a support for this in NYU Creative Writing program. Though enough information could be obtained form the website. But for those in the community has much information to allow the members of the community to participate. 2. Poetry Reading – Poetry reading has been an important series for this community. Many upcoming poets have contributed in this context. 3. Poets in Conversation – This includes the best selling title “How to Read a poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry”. Here well known poets will make face to face conversation with the students. 4. The Emerging Writers Reading Series-- The student here has all the information needed for a member of the community to be able to participate. There will be lists of names of the writers who will be reading their work. It is meant for all new emerging writers also beyond the English department. 5. Writers in Conversation – Few writers have been found who are going to engage themselves in a series of conversation. Along with the reading there is a conversation with the veteran participants which ahs been scheduled. 6. Applying for graduate work in English at the NYU- The student I found near the campus has enough information about the entire session. This gives a better idea about t he literacy outcome. 7. Communication amongst graduate students-- The collection of emails written and send by graduate in the English department at NYU represents communication in between colleagues and peers. Different categories like request for teaching ideas, party invitation etc channel a communication that belongs exclusively to the graduate student members of the community. 8. Interview with the Graduate coordinator at NYU (regarding use of literacy)— The graduate coordinator will assist coordination, schedule and advertisement of working and reading groups as per their individual events. He/she will be the main person to communicate between the new faculty Committee on Events and Public programs and the graduate community. 9. New York University English department website— This is the last and major source of my inventory. The website contributes lot of information regarding the literacy practice in the university campus. This gives thorough information about the community which I have researched. It also helped me to cross check my information which I have collected form other sources. This website lists about the graduate curriculum, study structure, lists of faculty members; the Creative Writing Program and also gives information about the series of listed inventory. Discussion: From this study it could be found that English Department of New York University has a wonderful academic community of graduate students, faculty and educational programs. The websites of the English Department gives a thorough description of every needed aspect including series of education offered and literacy practices. To support this I have added many evidences which can give an idea of conceptual community by both inviting students and faculty to participate on various things. Some exclusive programs and events has been designed just to support academics but on the other way of maintaining the community as well. Internet has become the most authentic source for the potential users. This is the way the English Department of NYU has obtained its position and maintained its academic records. Conclusion: The entire research on literacy practice inventory of the English Department at the New York University gives an idea about the community of graduate students and faulty members to be the most admirable division among the English departments of various Universities. They have used the websites in a broad way to attract students from different parts of the world. Reading, writing, internship, maintaining the communities are the major aspect of literacy practices within the community and the University. By accepting the idea of community of faculty and students the NYU can create attention of new members. They have created online calendar of academic and social events of interest to the graduate students. To continue with such positivity the University will develop stronger academic and social program for higher education over the years. References About the English Department, Department of English. New York University. Web. July 14, 2013 Department of English, New York University. Web. July 14, 2013 Graduate Coordinator, NYU Graduate English Organization. Word Press, Web. July 14, 2013 Graduate Programs, Department of English. New York University, Web. July 14, 2013 Graduate Programs, Creative Writing Program. New York University, Web. July 14, 2013 Reading Series, Creative Writing Program. New York University, Web. July 14, 2013 Undergraduate Program, Department of English. New York University, Web. July 14, 2013 Undergraduate Program, Creative Writing Program. New York University, Web. July 14, 2013 Read More