“Ain’t Nobody’s Respect Worth More Than Your Own”: African American Children’s Literature, Self-Esteem, Education, and Hope

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I asked the students in my Spring 2020 English 725 "African American Children’s Literature" course to produce a piece of public writing that answers the question of Why African American Children’s Literature Matters. Everyone from ill-informed pundits to well-meaning relatives question the value of courses in the humanities: "Why do universities offer such classes?"  Or, … Continue reading “Ain’t Nobody’s Respect Worth More Than Your Own”: African American Children’s Literature, Self-Esteem, Education, and Hope

April 2020 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

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As we conclude the spring semester and remote teaching in response to the spread of Covid-19, we offer a look at recent faculty, student, and alumni achievements in research, scholarship, and creative activity. Want to catch up on past successes or to find future announcements? Visit our archive of monthly newsletters Reading Matters as well … Continue reading April 2020 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

On Teaching and Reading the Apocalypse . . . in the Apocalypse — Part II

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I turn here to Part Two of two blog posts on teaching, reading, and writing the apocalypse during a moment of real dystopia. Part One sketched out the initial seven weeks of a class on dystopic fiction and film. Part Two below considers the last seven weeks after the rise of Covid-19 and our move … Continue reading On Teaching and Reading the Apocalypse . . . in the Apocalypse — Part II

Congratulations to the B.A. Class of 2020

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One of our English Department traditions is to share a graduation card with each graduating senior, signed by all of the faculty in the department. Since we couldn't offer that tribute during this socially-distanced spring, we identified a faculty member to create a short video for each graduating senior to convey our collective congratulations on … Continue reading Congratulations to the B.A. Class of 2020

Congratulations to the M.A. Class of 2020

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Today would have been the graduate commencement ceremony for our 2020 M.A. grads. Since we can't congratulate them in person, we offer this brief video celebration: Thanks to our graduate program assistant, Jimmy Gilligan, for his help editing the above video, and for assembling the one below, featuring reflections from our new M.A. alums, as … Continue reading Congratulations to the M.A. Class of 2020

On Teaching and Reading the Apocalypse . . . in the Apocalypse — Part I

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I start here with one of two blog posts on teaching and reading the apocalypse during a moment when dystopia, which our class so often joked about in those innocent days of January and February, became the stuff of our daily lives. Part I (below) sketches out the initial seven weeks of a class on … Continue reading On Teaching and Reading the Apocalypse . . . in the Apocalypse — Part I

Poetry Reading: “Band of Brothers”

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As finals week for Spring 2020 comes to a close, we offer some inspiration from Shakespeare's Henry V (Act IV, Scene iii, 18–67), read by alums from K-State English and by other K-Staters. Be sure to watch until the end -- and thanks to Dan Hoyt for orchestrating the reading and the appearance by our … Continue reading Poetry Reading: “Band of Brothers”

Remembering Richard Pitts

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Ask almost anyone in Manhattan and they’ll tell you a story about Richard Pitts. They might tell you about how his Wonder Workshop — a museum/day camp/afterschool hangout — instilled in some child a love of learning. Or they’ll tell you about his tours of the Underground Railroad and Kansas’s abolitionist history. They might have … Continue reading Remembering Richard Pitts