Call for Papers, Childhood Horror Stories, Almost Alumni Fair, and More

Call for Student Papers- Conference: Popular Uprisings in Times of Crisis

The International Studies Programs at DePaul University & University of Illinois at Chicago invite graduate and undergraduate students to submit a one page research paper proposal for the 2012 annual student conference to be held on April 18th.

The theme of this year’s conference is Popular Movements in Times of Crisis. We live in a time of crisis, whether we look at global and national economies, the environment, increasingly fragile and intolerant political orders, contentious ideologies, or mounting anger at systemic inequalities. This conference aims to reignite debate over the causes of crises (perceived or actual) and popular responses to them.

Areas of Inquiry

  • The kinds of popular mobilizations that occur in response to crises, both historical and contemporary.
  • Alliances that develop between groups in national or international contexts to reconfigure power relations (including reformist, revolutionary, conservative, and counter-revolutionary movements).
  • Imagining different worlds, utopias, and histories of struggles to make possible alternative politics and social arrangements.
  • Debates over forms of governance, the causes and nature of equality and inequality, and questions of citizenship in times of crisis

See guidelines for writing a proposal on the INT website. Applicants selected to present at the April Conference will be notified by March 16th, 2012. Conference presentations will be 20 minute talks based on a developed research paper. The best conference presentations will win cash prizes and receive a certificate of recognition. Email sdirr1@depaul.edu with questions.

Email abstracts to Susan Dirr, sdirr1@depaul.edu, by 5pm on Friday March 9, 2012.

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Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society, would like to host a creative writing/English department event during the Spring quarter that they’re calling “Mortified: Horror Stories from Childhood.” The idea of the event is an open mic reading where each participant will get 5-10 minutes to either to read a piece from your childhood diary that is funny/filled with angst/etc. while adding extra narration, or to read an original creative non-fiction piece about your embarrassing childhood moments. The point is to have a little fun and be a little theatrical, giving everyone the opportunity to practice reading their creative pieces in front of a crowd– and for the audience to get a good laugh.

In order to best plan the event, Sigma Tau Delta needs a few more people who are interested in participating to express their interest. To do so, please email Reese Stanford at Sunnybabe105@hotmail.com. Reese would also like to hear what evenings most people would be available to participate in an event like this during the Spring quarter.

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Grad students, are you graduating in the Spring? If you are applying to graduate this year, especially if you plan to attend your commencement ceremony in June, please plan to attend the 2012 Almost Alumni Fair on March 7th at the  Lincoln Park Campus Student Center Atrium and March 8th at the Loop Campus DePaul Center Concourse from 10am to 6pm both days.

The fair provides information about the upcoming ceremonies and you can order announcements, class rings and gifts. There will be representatives on-hand from area hotels, college offices and others. GradImages will be there and you can dress up in the same regalia you will wear on commencement day and have your picture taken and surprise your family even before the event! They will also take shots of you in business attire if you wish for your resume.

Representatives from many college offices will be there to answer questions, as will Academic Administration, Alumni Relations, Student Affairs and DePaul Central. Other activities include:

  • Get up-to-date info on Commencement Weekend 2012
  • Be photographed in cap and gown or business attire for your resume
  • Order the official DePaul University class ring
  • Shop for graduation announcements and gifts
  • Meet vendor representatives
  • Meet DePaul Alumni Relations staff
  • Financial Awareness/Planning

No registration required. See you there! If you would like a post card with this information as a reminder, they are available in the Student Resource Room on the second floor of Arts & Letters Hall.

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Speaking of postcards in the Student Resource Room, there are lots of informational materials available posted on and near the front cork board for both browsing and taking home. If you have not visited the Student Resource Room recently and are interested in teaching English abroad, summer writing programs, MFA and PhD programs, law school, library school, or other summer and post-grad opportunities, stop by to browse flyers and handouts from Bennington College, Writers in the Heartland, Pine Manor College, the New School Summer Writers Colony, Indiana University, Skidmore University, NYU, the Marco Institute, Ciee, and more programs we’re constantly adding. It’s like Ex Libris in paper form!

For more information on the student resource room and how to use or reserve it, check out this post.

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And finally, just a reminder that TOMORROW, February 29th, is Dagoberto Gilb’s reading at the DePaul Library at 6p.m. Don’t miss this great reading and reception for Gilb’s latest book.