Student Publications
The Point
The Point, the Fitchburg State campus newspaper, is produced by and for the students. It is housed in the English Studies department and is edited by students in the College Newspaper Production course, where they receive formal training in the copyediting, photojournalism, opinion writing, newsroom management, online production, and social media promotion. Students outside of the class can contribute to the paper by contacting the editors at thepointfsu@gmail.com. Anyone can subscribe to the email newsletter, read stories online, and request a print copy be mailed to them from https://fitchburgpoint.com/. Print issues come out every two weeks during the fall and spring semesters. You can follow The Point on Twitter @thepointfsu and like on Facebook @fitchburgpoint.
Route 2
Route 2, the English Studies department's award-winning literary journal, publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, criticism, reviews, and visual art annually. Submissions for March issues must be submitted by the previous October. The journal is edited by students in Editing and Publishing, where they learn the fine points on the stages of editing. Submissions and inquiries can be sent to route2@student.fitchburgstate.edu. You can follow Route 2 on Twitter @FSURoute2 and like on Facebook @Route2. Select past issues are available for view on issuu.
The Falconer
The English Studies Graduate Program’s journal, The Falconer, moves graduate students’ research outside the classroom and into the scholarly realm. Our students’ best work in literary and cultural analysis reflect the original thinking and solid research skills learned in the classroom under the supervision of our faculty. Topics have included British and American canonicity, revisiting Shakespeare, Jewish American identity, the novel, British Modernism, American satire, and digital and experimental literature. An archive of past issues is available.
Groups
English Club
English Club is open to all students in and beyond our department. Activities range from poetry slams, talent shows, writing groups, workshops on middle and secondary English education, and invited talks. Students organize their own events and work with others to promote community in the department.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. Students who meet the academic standards for joining the honor society receive an invitation to induction. After induction, members and officers organize and participate in social activities such as Open Mic nights or professional development workshops on topics like applying to graduate school. Inductees can also present at the International English Honor Society’s Annual Convention.
Other Opportunities for Student Growth
Writing Associates
The Department offers academically-talented students the opportunity to work closely with a sponsoring faculty member in courses across the curriculum to serve as writing associates. Writing associates are class-linked writing tutors who assist students with their work. Each semester, the English Studies faculty member who manages the program works with no more than 12 students in independent studies. Students are responsible for attending the classes in which they are assigned and meeting on a regular basis with their sponsoring faculty member and the program coordinator. For further information, contact Dr. Heather Urbanski, hurbansk@fitchburgstate.edu.
Study Abroad
Visiting another country is an enlightening experience for all students and our International Education office offers new opportunities every year. English Studies faculty have led spring break study abroad trips in the past to England and Paris, France.
Conference Presentations
We encourage our students to present their research and creative work on and off campus. Our students have presented their work at the Fitchburg State Undergraduate Research Conference, the Fitchburg State Creative Writing Showcase, the Worcester Poetry Competition, the Central Massachusetts Undergraduate Shakespeare Conference, and the American Literature Association.
Independent Studies
Students can work one-on-one with a faculty member on a specific topic of interest for course credit. You and a faculty member would decide on a course of study and request approval from the Chair and Dean. Students have previously done independent studies on topics including the digital novel, nonsense literature, gender studies, and punk magazines.