International Lecture Series on Collective Writing
Date: 15 November 2024
The Department of English organised an international series on Collective Writing held on 15th of November, 2024. The session was conducted by Prof. Marek Tesar, Associate Dean of International Learning, Development and Professional Practice, University of Auckland. Prof. Tesar shared his insights on innovative approaches to academic publishing, exploring its philosophy, history, political, and legal aspects with specific reference to a new and upcoming strategy namely collective writing. He explained how collective writing is a collaborative process where multiple individuals contribute to creating a single written work, blending diverse perspectives, skills, and expertise. This method fosters teamwork, creativity, and shared ownership, making it particularly valuable in research contexts. In research, collective writing can be used to co-author papers, compile comprehensive reviews, or develop interdisciplinary studies. It allows researchers to pool their knowledge, refine ideas through discussion, and address complex topics from multiple angles, resulting in richer and more holistic outputs. Tools like shared documents and online platforms further streamline the collaborative process, enhancing efficiency and productivity. His presentation aimed to educate scholars on important contemporary issues in academic publishing, emphasizing equitable collaborations between authors and peer-reviewers. Prof. Tesar's expertise sparked engaging discussions highlighting the significance of collective writing and collaborative approaches. The event demonstrated the Department of English's commitment to fostering intellectual exchange, innovation, and excellence in academic pursuits. The session concluded with a question and answer session enabling students to clarify doubts and to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Prof. Marek Tesar, to deepen their understanding.

International lecture on "Culture and Big Data"
Date: 09 October 2024
The Department of English at Kristu Jayanti College hosted an international lecture on "Culture and Big Data" on 9 October 2024, as part of its International Lecture Series. The session was led by Dr. Sanjay Purushotham, India Liaison for International Affairs at Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, USA. Dr. Purushotham delivered a thought-provoking presentation, focusing on how Big Data can offer deeper insights into cultural trends and behaviours by analyzing extensive data from various social, economic, and digital spheres. He began by providing the students with an understanding of Big Data refers to the large volume of structured and unstructured data that is collected, processed, and analyzed to uncover patterns, trends, and insights for better decision-making. He discussed the potential of Big Data in cultural analysis and emphasized the significance of native language as a core aspect of cultural heritage. Dr. Purushotham encouraged students to develop a deeper appreciation for their culture, highlighting its essential role in cognition and personal fulfilment.

He also spoke about the benefits of studying abroad, including how it provides them a chance to immerse oneself in different cultures, broaden global perspectives, and foster both personal and academic growth. Dr. Purushotham provided information on available opportunities, scholarships, and programs at Dallas Baptist University, as well as guidance on the application process for international educational programs. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, allowing students to address their queries, share insights, and have a meaningful interaction with Dr. Purushotham.

International Lecture on “Spain: A Walk through"
Date: 20 September 2024
The Department of English, Kristu Jayanti College organised an international lecture on the topic “Spain: A Walk through" as part of the International Lecture Series on 20 September 2024. The session was led by Prof. Pedro P. Chamorro, Erasmus+ Faculty Mobility Awardee, University of Cordoba, Spain. Spain has stunning landscapes, a rich history, flamenco rhythms, and a passion for life reflected in its lively festivals and delicious cuisine. The resource person delivered an insightful presentation on the culture, beauty and tradition of Spain. He showcased Spain as a vibrant land of diverse cultures, blending Moorish, Roman, and Christian influences. The key focus of his presentation was on the major cities of Spain and the significance of each city. He took the students through the sun-soaked beaches of Costa del Sol to the architectural marvels of Gaudí in Barcelona, Through his video presentation Prof. Pedro also shared insights into their beautiful architecture which included cathedrals, and mosques and heritage buildings. He also explained the different festivities and fests of Spain. Prof. Pedro then shared insights about student life in Spain, highlighting the city of Salamanca, renowned for its vibrant student culture. The session ended with a question-and-answer segment, allowing students to clarify admission processes for higher studies in Spain and explore comprehensive job opportunities relevant to the students of English Literature with Prof. Pedro.

International Lecture Series
Date: 31 July 2024
On July 31, 2024, the Department of English, in collaboration with Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, hosted an International Lecture on Bollywood Globalization. The session was led by Dr. David Schaefer, Professor of Communication Arts, who delivered an insightful lecture on Cinematic Soft Power and how Cinematic soft power refers to the influence a country's film industry exerts globally, shaping perceptions, values, and cultural narratives without direct political or economic force. It enables a nation to project its culture, ideals, and identity through cinema, thereby enhancing its global image and influence. He further elaborated on how how Indian cinema has influenced various aspects of Western culture, providing relevant examples to illustrate his thoughts. Dr. Schaefer also addressed questions like, "How has India promoted its cinema internationally?" He explained that the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) plays an active and crucial role in promoting Indian cinema on the global stage. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Schaefer highlighted the significance of the Digital-Global Era, which has gained momentum due to the influence of Indian films. He also took the time to engage with the audience, answering their questions with enthusiasm.

International Lecture Series Artificial Intelligence: The Hype - The Myth - The Reality
Date: 25 March 2024
The Department of English, Kristu Jayanti College organised a lecture on 25th March 2024 on the topic “Artificial Intelligence, The Hype - The Myth - The Reality " as part of their International Lecture Series. The session was led by Prof. Dr. Michael Kohlhase, a world-renowned expert on Digital Humanities from the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany.

The resource person delivered an insightful presentation on the power and application of artificial intelligence in a world that has been taken over by technology. AI techniques are being applied in digital humanities to enhance research, facilitate analysis, and offer new perspectives on human culture and history. He also elaborated on Digital Archives, Text Analysis and Natural Language Processing as some of the ways AI is being used in digital humanities. The key focus of his presentation was on how AI is solely dependent on human beings for its development and progress. Thus, both play an essential role in having a coexistent and interdependent relationship for both to progress.

Prof. Michael Kohlhase proposed how to study the present condition of artificial intelligence, distinguishing between exaggerated expectations, common misconceptions, and practical truths about its uses, progress, and constraints. He also gave insights and advice for the student's future and professional growth. The session concluded with a question-and-answer session, where the students had the opportunity to seek clarification, share insights, and engage in a meaningful discussion with Prof. Dr. Michael Kohlhase.

International Lecture Series on Effective Communication & Leadership Skills
Date: 04 March 2024
The Department of English at Kristu Jayanti College organised an enriching lecture under its International Lecture Series on the topic Effective Communication & Leadership Skills. The lecture was attended by the II, IV semester students of MA English Literature and also the II BA English Literature students. Dr. Marjan I. Bojadjiev, Chancellor of University American College Skopje from the Republic of North Macedonia commenced the session by delving into the fundamentals of Business Communication. He eloquently defined Communication, Business Communication, and the significance of effective Business Communication. He spoke on the significance of Downward Communication, with a clear distinction made between Vertical Communication and Horizontal Communication. He also elaborated on effective Leadership skills. Dr Bojadjiev pointed out how Leadership skills are essential for individuals because they enable effective communication, decision-making, and the ability to motivate and inspire others, all of which are crucial for success in various personal, professional, and societal contexts. Further, Dr. Bojadjiev underscored the intricate relationship between communication and culture, shedding light on their interconnectedness. The session was dynamic and interactive, with the audience actively engaging in the learning process. Participants raised insightful questions, to which Dr. Bojadjiev provided comprehensive explanations. The lecture series proved to be an invaluable opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of Effective Communication & Leadership Skills, and experience the expertise and engaging delivery by Dr. Marjan I. Bojadjiev.

Captivating Lecture as part of its International Lecture Series
Date: 09 February 2024
On February 9, 2024, the Department of English at Kristu Jayanti College organized a captivating lecture as part of its International Lecture Series. The session, titled "Narrative Momentum in Your Story," was led by Dr. Susan Finch, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of English at Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Dr. Finch's presentation delved into the significance of creative writing in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. With keen insight, she highlighted the various craft elements writers can employ to captivate readers, emphasizing the importance of language and plot development.Throughout the session, Dr. Finch provided invaluable advice on crafting compelling narratives, urging students to consider aspects such as beautiful language and intriguing plotlines. She offered practical recommendations to hook readers from the outset, enriching their storytelling abilities. The session provided a stimulating exploration of narrative momentum and enriched students' understanding of the art of storytelling.

Game Based Learning
Date: 08 January 2024
Dr. Kathryn Dambrino, the Director of DNP Project and Practice Experiences and Assistant Professor of Nursing at Belmont University, USA, delivered an insightful presentation on game based learning. The key focus of her presentation was the introduction and exploration of game-based learning methods for any active learners. Dr.Kathryn Dambrino emphasized the critical role of problem-solving skills, confidence-building, and collaboration in the learning process. Dr. Dambrino provided a brief introduction to the concept of game-based learning methods. She highlighted how this innovative approach adds an element of fun to the learning process, making it more engaging and enjoyable for students. The incorporation of games into education was presented as a means to encourage learners to take more risks in their academic endeavors. A notable aspect of Dr. Dambrino’s presentation was the comparative analysis between traditional lecture-based teaching and game-based learning. She underscored how game-based learning facilitates increased student participation, providing a more interactive and immersive learning experience. This comparison aimed to showcase the advantages of incorporating game elements into the educational paradigm. Further delving into game-based learning, Dambrino discussed how this approach fosters healthy competition and collaboration within a psychologically safe environment. She elaborated on the significance of prebriefing and debriefing sessions, highlighting their role in creating a supportive atmosphere that encourages students to engage actively in the learning process.

The presentation concluded with a question and answer session, where participants had the opportunity to seek clarification, share insights, and engage in a meaningful dialogue with Kathryn Dambrino.

International Lecture Series - “Career Paths in the Tech World
Date: 16 December 2023
The Department of English organized an International Lecture Series on the 16th of December, 2023 for the postgraduate students from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at A2 Auditorium, Admin Block. The topic for the session was “Career Paths in the Tech World.” The guest speaker for the lecture was Dr. Victor Raj, Professor and Chair of Information Systems at Murray State University, Kentucky, USA. The speaker remarked, that while it's true that many tech roles traditionally require a strong background in computer science or related fields, there are plenty of opportunities for humanities students to enter the tech world. Tech companies value diverse skill sets, and individuals with a background in humanities as they often bring unique perspectives, critical thinking skills, and creativity to the table. He also spoke to the students about the basic needs for a job in the Digital World, urging them to find out the skill they are good at and excel in the same. The most important factors to consider he narrated were, ‘What does the employer need?’, ‘What is the problem and how can you solve it?’. The students were enlightened about the importance of soft skills like communication skills and people skills and the speaker highlighted the difference between those who belong to the technical field and those who come under the discipline of humanities. He also discussed how the students can make use of this difference to get a job in the technical field. The speaker inspired them to follow their passion and make a career out of it. Dr. Victor Raj used various examples to put across his views in a simple yet innovative manner. Students also got the chance to interact with the guest speaker through a Question-and-Answer session and enquired about the various study-abroad opportunities currently available for students pursuing the humanities streams.

International Lecture Series Demystifying Critical - Creative Academic Writing
Date: 26 october 2023
On October 26 2023, the Department of English [PG] organized an International Lecture series in collaboration with The University of Auckland, New Zealand on the topic Demystifying Critical – Creative academic writing. The session was conducted by the resource person of the day Dr. Sean Sturm Associate Professor School of Critical Studies in Education Center of Learning and Research in Higher Education, University of Auckland. In his lecture he emphasized the fusion of creativity and critical analysis in academic work and how, fostering this skill this would ensure a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary subjects. He elaborated on how critical and creative academic writing are two distinct but interconnected approaches to scholarly expression and how these styles of writing serve different purposes within academia, but they can also complement each other to produce well-rounded and thought-provoking academic work. He further stressed that critical academic writing involves the analysis and evaluation of existing work, while creative academic writing focuses on generating new ideas and perspectives. Both approaches are essential for advancing knowledge in any field, and combining them can lead to truly innovative and impactful academic work. This enlightening series successfully demystified the academic writing process for the students, empowering students to express their thoughts with clarity and creativity in the academic and professional fields.

International Lecture Series - “Self Leadership”
Date: 20 october 2023
The Department of English organised an International Lecture on the topic “Self Leadership” and the resource person of the day was Ms Angela Herbert White who is an internationally certified coach from the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. The students of MA English learnt about how Self-Leadership was different from Leadership. She also explained the various styles and modes of Leadership. She elaborated how Self-leadership is the practice of taking responsibility for one’s own personal and professional development and guiding oneself towards ones goals and aspirations. It involves a combination of self-awareness, self-management, and self-motivation. She spoke to the students about how Self-leadership is important because it empowers individuals to be more effective, make better choices, and lead themselves towards success Ms Angela Herbert White gave the students noteworthy and important tips on how to become successful and confident leaders. She further gave them real life examples from her own life describing her own experiences as an intern to her journey to a leadership role to becoming a Leadership coach. She emphasized how to become a good leader, one should plan, develop and then execute the plan, stressing on the importance of reflection and the practice of journaling.

After the enlightening session, the students had an interactive session with the resource person.

International Lecture series
The Department of English, Kristu Jayanti College organised an expert lecture as part of the International Lecture series on the 2nd of March, 2023. This day also marks the day that D. H. Lawrence passed away. Mr Malcolm Gray, Chairman of the DH Lawrence Society, United Kingdom was the guest speaker for the day. The lecture began with how the moniker given to D.H. Lawrence “The Man on the Run” was appropriate for a personality like D.H. Lawrence who was constantly moving and exploring new worlds. He was often referred to as an “outsider” by various biographers. His travels brought him new experiences which he used to then present his readers. Lawrence travelled looking for peace and perfection, at times for his health and interestingly to also be away from his family. Mr Gray addressed how Lawrence disliked the new mechanized culture of the world. The discussion was then on Lawrence’s beliefs and how he moved away from traditional religion, replacing it with his own idea of “Blood Consciousness”.

Mr Gray then shared Lawrence’s deep engagement in the feeling of primitiveness while in Mexico. Lawrence’s understanding of the power in the primitive religion was an interesting detail for the listeners. There was an interactive Q and A at the end of the Lecture when students enthusiastically posed many questions about the man of the hour. Few interesting questions put forward were about the characteristics of the Lawrentian man and woman and about Lawrence’s belief in “Blood Consciousness”. Mr Malcolm ended the session with a few questions to ponder upon like “How can we make a difference to the world that we live in?" and “How do you fit in the cosmos and what do you as individuals value”?

On the whole it was a lecture that was well cherished.

The Art of Socratic Questioning in the Language Classroom
Date: 06/09/2022
The Department of English organized an International Lecture Series on “The Art of Socratic Questioning in the Language Classroom” led by the resource person Ms. Tatjana Jovchesky, Academic Coordinator at the Schola English School, Macedonia. This event took place on 6th September, 2022.

Ms. Tatjana Jovchesky began the session with a few thought provoking sessions piquing the interest and questioning the mind-sets of the audience members. She enumerated that the art of questioning is the foundation of learning and teaching. Questioning facilitates recalling, deepens understanding, develops imagination, enhances problem-solving, fulfils curiosity and boosts creativity she expounded. Ms. Tatjana Jovchesky also explained the importance of Critical Thinking and the practice of it elaborating on other sub skills. Critical thinking is a widely accepted educational goal and Observational skills are the starting point for critical thinking, and once a context has been identified, analytical skills become essential. Communication and Problem-solving all follow as natural corollaries if one consciously practices them she said. Ms. Tatjana Jovcheska also talked about the importance of questions in the classroom to activate students’ creativity and encourage interaction. She also elaborated on techniques to use in the classroom to make it a meaningful experience for the learners. Her lecture was an extremely informative one and received wide and varied responses from the audience. The Q and A session, which had many participants, was also an extremely informative session as the resource person answered their questions adroitly using personal anecdotes and varied experiences to convey her points and ideas.