High impact practices have been defined as “situations in which students seem to experience more focused and accelerated learning,” according to Dr. David Downing, Chair of the Elizabethtown College English Department and Ralph W. Schlosser Professor of English.
Downing has invited English majors and minors and creative writing minors to experience this accelerated learning for themselves by submitting a research proposal or summary of a creative work on the theme of “Literature, Creativity and Humor” to the annual Undergraduate Literature and Creative Writing Conference at Susquehanna University. The conference will take place on March 16, 2015.
According to an email Downing distributed to students in the English department, “This conference can give you a chance to get broader feedback on your work, to meet some impressive undergraduates from several mid-Atlantic states — and, of course, it’s a solid resume item.”
Any students who are interested in participating in the conference should e-mail ENGLISH@SUSQU.EDU with a subject line of “Conference: [Title of Paper]” and attach an abstract of approximately 300 words for their proposed research paper or creative work, along with a two-page sample of a 15-minute presentation. The deadline for submissions is December 15, and there is a $30 registration fee.
Etown has its own version of this conference: Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD), which will occur from April 20-21, 2015. SCAD describes itself as “recognizing scholarly and artistic accomplishments in the liberal arts, performing arts, sciences and professional studies.”
Students interested in participating in SCAD must find a faculty mentor to work with them on their proposed project, and submit to their mentor an abstract of 250 words summarizing their research or listing the musical piece, style of dance or medium used for their performance or exhibit. There is also a contest for students interested in designing a cover for the program. The submission period for both the conference and the contest will run from February 9-27, 2015.
Downing is planning on arranging a group trip to the Susquehanna University conference, so he asks students to email him at DOWNINDC@ETOWN.EDU if their research proposals are accepted.
