Saturday 25 April 2009

Workshop(s) in the City..:

Join in the discussion with Sadanand Menon and Sashi Kumar as lead discussants, followed by a performance of "nadhiyin karunai" based on a poem by Manushyaputhiran.
The work addresses the constant violation of civil space and the unending efforts to sustain 'life', through movement and the spoken word. Actors Rohini and Nikhila Kesavan will perform at SKILLS, No.1, Elliots Beach Road, Besant Nagar on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 6.30 pm.
* * * * * * * *
eType is conducting a fiction writing workshop from May 1 to 7 at Gopalapuram, Chennai - 86. For more details, contact: 9382114768


Monday 20 April 2009

Writing Workshop and Word Quiz @ British Council...:

23rd April of every year is celebrated as World Book Day. The BRITISH COUNCIL, CHENNAI has planned a range of activities during the week starting 20th till 25th April, centered around the theme of Books to Screen. There will be a special display of books, and people who are interested can avail a special offer on library membership.
On April 25, there will be a writing workshop for people aged 17 and above by Gowri Ramnarayan from 10 am to 1 pm followed by a quiz on the theme, Words n Action from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The last date for registration for the quiz is April 23. For details, contact 42050600.

Sunday 19 April 2009

Career in Advertising Design.!

2adpro is hiring students of BA/MA in English Literature - exceptionally skilled, talented and enthusiastic players to join them in their journey to change the face of print and online advertising across the world. You have to be a strong, decisive, results-oriented leader who can develop and manage relationships across the company and with a wide variety of partners based on trust, teamwork and knowledge. You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be a team player with a consultative approach.

There will be a portfolio screeing, followed by Technical and HR interviews.

For more details, click on their website HERE, or Contact Mr.Nirmal, T.S @ 9790986918



Saturday 18 April 2009

JASNA Annual Student Essay Contest..:

To foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen, JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest, with support generously provided by the Sonia Raiziss Giop Charitable Foundation. Students interested in the life and works of Jane Austen are encouraged to enter.
The Essay Contest is open to students world-wide at the high school, college/university, and post-graduate levels of study.
The topic for the 2009 Essay Contest:
Siblings abound in Jane Austen’s novels. Some siblings act as foils to each other; others are in competition; still others are mutually supportive and encouraging.
Examine the importance of siblings in one or two Austen novels. Discuss how they function in the novel and how they embody larger themes. You may focus on one sibling relationship or you may compare relationships, either within a novel or between two novels.
The Submissions page includes important rules about format and submission of essays and a link to the official Essay Contest entry form.
Entries must be e-mailed or postmarked by May 1, 2009
For more details, Click HERE

PG Diploma in Print Journalism..:

Manorama School of Communication (MASCOM), one of India’s premier institutes of journalism, offers a One-year 'Postgraduate Diploma Course in Print Journalism.'
Candidates with a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline and those awaiting Degree results may also apply. Last Date for receiving completed applications: 25 April 2009.
For more details, visit their website HERE

Friday 17 April 2009

Masquerade Auditions...:

Be a part of the next Masquerade production. If you are a theatre enthusiast above 25 years of age, and would like to be trained both onstage as well as in technical areas, try attending the audition workshops for the same on April 18 and April 19 between 6 pm and 8 pm. To enroll, mail masquerade.madras@gmail.com


Midnight Hotel, Mithran Devanesan's recent horror-comedy play is back in town this weekend ( April 18 & 19 at 7.15 pm.) The plot is a regular family entertainer. For details, call 9381911977.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Nonproliferation Challenge Essay Contest..:

In order to spur new thinking and policy initiatives to address today's most urgent proliferation threats, CNS and its journal, the Nonproliferation Review, created an essay contest to identify and publish the most outstanding new scholarly papers and reports in the nonproliferation field.
Eligibility:This contest is open to persons worldwide, except for current faculty, staff, interns, and students of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, past winners of this contest, and anyone involved in reviewing or judging submissions. To be eligible for the student prize, an entrant must be enrolled at a college or university at the time of submission. A team of authors comprising one or more students and non-students is not eligible for the student prize.
Students are eligible for the grand prize.
How to Enter:On or before May 15, 2009, e-mail your entry to essaycontest@miis.edu.
For more details, visit their website HERE

Sunday 12 April 2009

Guest Post on Free College and University Courses Online..:

An increasing number of colleges and universities have begun providing free and open educational resources for self-learners around the world. Some schools, such as Yale, Carnegie Mellon, and The Open University, offer entire courses. You don't get college credit or a degree when you complete a course, but you do get the opportunity to enrich your life with knowledge. Here are a few of the 20 free online courses you can try today:

Greek Mythology - The University of Washington offers this free five-part course on Greek Mythology to self learners around the world. The course includes readings, quizzes, and other online learning materials.

Nineteenth Century Europe - This free history course from the University of Massachusetts introduces students to the political and historical culture of Nineteenth Century Europe. The course includes lectures, assignments, and required reading.

Literature I and II - Designed specifically for online students, this free literature course from Western Governors University is split into ten self-study modules. The course covers a wide range of topics, including poetry, fiction, and drama.

Modern Poetry - This free online course from Yale College contains all of the material used in the campus-based course taught by Professor Langdon Hammer. The material is delivered through recorded audio and video lectures. The course concludes with a final exam.

English 1010 - The free English course offered online through Utah State University introduces students to academic writing. The course includes readings, assignments, and a free online textbook.
Guest post from Karen Schweitzer who writes about online colleges for OnlineColleges.net

THE RICH AND THE POOR - C.P.Snow

The Rich and the Poor - C. P. Snow

Introduction:

In this essay, C. P. Snow analyses the reasons for the disparity between the rich and the poor, the industrialized and the non-industrialized nations, and suggests that the only way out is through the scientific revolution. He then suggests ways by which it could be brought about in the poor nations.

Disparity between the Rich and the Poor:

According to the author, the disparity between the rich and the poor has been noticed.

The Rich Nations, according to him, are:
 The US
 White Commonwealth countries
 Great Britain
 Most of Europe and
 The USSR
And all the others are poor nations.

In the rich countries, people
1. live longer
2. eat better
3. work less
in the poor countries, people
1. live less,
2. eat less,
3. work more
Hence life for the great majority of mankind has always been nasty, brutish and short.

The West has got to help in this transformation of the poor countries: but the trouble is, the West with its divided culture cannot grasp the problem.

The Rate of Social Change during the Present and the Past:

During all human history until this century, the rate of social change has been very slow. But now, the rate of social change has increased so much. The poor countries have caught on to this simple concept.

The industrialization of Russia and China was brought about with inordinate effort and with great suffering. Much of the suffering was unnecessary, because technology is rather easy. Moreover, technology is the branch of human experience that people can learn with predictable results.

Scientific teachability: Common to all Nations:

For industrializing a major country as in China today, it only takes

1. Will, and
2. A few years, to train enough scientists, engineers, and technicians, because all countries are equal in scientific practice and there is no evidence that any country or race is better than any other in scientific teachability.

To prove this, the author says that Sicilian girls have taken the top places in Honours in Physics at the University of Rome. Even John Cockcroft who returned from Moscow said that, “skilled workmen at Moscow were just about the same as the ones at Metrovick.”

Possibility of Scientific Revolution in Poor Countries:

According to the author, it is technically possible to carry out the scientific revolution in India, Africa, South East Asia, Latin America and Middle East within fifty years. The three menaces which stand in our way are:
1. H Bomb
2. Over population
3. Gap between the rich and the poor.

The scientific revolution is the only way out of these menaces. Hence, the gap between the rich and the poor can be removed. But the questions are:
1. How
2. Whom

1. HOW:

There are only partial answers. The scientific revolution needs first and foremost – Capital.

The poor countries cannot accumulate capital. And that is why, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The capital must come from outside. Now, there are only two possible sources. One is, the West, the other is, the U.S.S.R, and neither can try to do it alone. But if they both took part, it would not mean a sacrifice at all. But the operation has to be a national one.

The second requirement after capital, as important as capital is – Men, that is, trained scientists and engineers who can devote their lives to a foreign country’s industrialization for at least ten years of their lives. The Russians can spare such men if they are needed, but we and the Americans have not.

2. WHOM:

We need men who would work as colleagues, who will pass on what they know, do an honest technical job and get out. Fortunately, scientists are free from racial feeling. Their culture is in its human relations, a democratic one. Hence, scientists would do us good all over Asia and Africa to the scientific revolution. This is an educational programme like the Chinese, who have transformed their universities and built so many new ones that they are now nearly independent of scientists and engineers from outside.

Education and Culture:

What we need is, scientific teachers and teachers of English from this country and the U.S; but, the question which is asked is, is this plan realistic? The author says that, in any case, we need to do it; for, if we don’t do it, the communist countries will do it.

Hence, we should emphasise on: 1. education, and
2. closing the gap between our cultures.

It is obligatory for us and the Americans and the whole West to look at our education with fresh eyes. The Americans and we should learn from each other and from the Russians. Similarly, the Russians have a good deal to learn from us too. Hence the author concludes by saying that, already it is time we brought about this transformation.

*****

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism..:

The Asian College of Journalism invites applications for admission to its 2009-2010 Postgraduate Diploma programme in Journalism.
The course design and application form are available online at their Website HERE, or at the Office of the Registrar, Asian College of Journalism, Wallajah Road, Chennai-600 002, India.
The last date for receipt of completed applications is April 30, 2009.

Monday 6 April 2009

National School of Drama..:

The Prospectus and forms for admission to the National School of Drama's three-year full-time Diploma Course in Dramatic Arts for the Academic Session 2009-12 will be available at the NSD bookshop from 10 am to 5 pm daily from the 20th of March 2009. The last date for submission of forms is the 20th of April 2009.
The National School of Drama is one of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India. It was set up by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959 as one of its constituent units. In 1975, it became an independent entity and was registered as an autonomous organization under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, fully financed by Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Edutainment Info..:

Dear Students,
Starting today, there will be a regular column on Career guidance for the final year students. There will also be parallel columns on Summer Edutainment(s) happening in and around the City. In addition, guest posts by reputed columnists would also find a place in this, our academic blog. Suggestions from your part, are, as usual, always welcome.
Regards,
Rufus

Announcement...:

Dear Students,
CIA Marks for all your Internal Papers with me have been displayed under the respective labels. Clarifications, if any, in any of your CIA mark statements with me, should be made on or before the cut-off date(s).
Please avoid last minute rush. No corrections will be made after the deadline, under any circumstances. Deadlines are deadlines!
Expecting your cooperation,
Regards,
Rufus

II BA English - Assignment Marks - Mod.Period..:

The following are the Assignment Marks for the paper on 'Modern Period' for students who come under my purview:
1. Dayananth, J - 70
2. Hebzibah Nancy, G - 70
3. Samuel Gnanaselvan, D - 72
4. Martin, T - 74
5. John Jeba Jayasingh - 78
6. Riyukta, R - 74
7. Sudha, M - 70
Clarifications, if any, can be made to me directly, or via email on or before 09 April 2009.
Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus

II BA English - Assignment Marks - Rhetoric..:

The following are the Assignment marks for the paper on "Rhetoric" for the students who come under my purview.
1. Ajit Daniel, C - 88
2. Karthick, J.R - 74
3. Baskar, G - 60
4. Sudha, M - 76
5. Sheela, R - 76
6. Ankita Harihar - 70
7. Martin, T - 76
8. Jaison Mathew Jose - 78
9. Madhavan, M - 70
10. Dolly Malkam - 74
11. Hebzibah Nancy, G - 70
12. Priya, P - 74
13. Rajesh Kumar, N - 70
14. Vignesh Ram, A - 68
15. Samuel Finny, M - 84
16. Dayananth, J - 74
17. Georgy Varghese - 70
18. Nadhiya, N - 70
19. Thamilvanan, V - 70
20. Supraja, P - 84
21. Shruthi, M.T - 82

Clarifications, if any, can be made to me directly or via email on or before 09 April 2009.
Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus

Sunday 5 April 2009

III BA English - Assignment Marks - New Writing..:

The following are the Assignment marks for students who come under my purview:
1. Jayanthi - 78
2. Christina Susan - 76
3. Srikanth Reddy - 70
4. Judah - 74
5. Rakesh - 62
6. Gladwin - 76
7. Smitha - 78
8. Blaisen - 76
Clarifications, if any, can be made to me directly, or via email, on or before 09 April 2009.
Regards,
Rufus

III BA English - II CIA Marks - New Writing..:

Dear Students of III BA English,
The following are the marks for your II CIA held on 31 March 2009.
1. Shyam Gopal - 73
2. Vanlal - 75
3. Satchin - 45
4. Bestin - 75
5. Smitha - 75
6. Sidharth - 75
7. Cleeta - 75
8. Adithya - 72
9. Asheam - 70
10. Addlin - 75
11. Karan - 73
12. Richard - 63
13. Stella - 72
14. Kamatchi - 60
15. Pradeep Kumar - 70
16. Jennita - 72
17. Irene - 73
18. Kalaiarasan - 72
19. Daniel Jesudoss - 73
20. Mercy - 73
21. Swaroop - 70
22. Sam Benjamin - 40
23. Sayujya - 70
24. Noeline - 72
25. Sujatha, M - 72
26. Rinila - 73
Clarifications, if any, can be made to me directly, or via email on or before 09 April 2009.
Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus

Friday 3 April 2009

Rhetoric - Marks for II BA English...:

The following are the Internal Marks as part of your II CIA for the paper on Rhetoric, for the following Rhetoricians of II BA English: (Last updated on 09 April 2009)
1. Georgy Varghese - (Drugs and its after-effects) - 80
2. J.R.Karthick - (English should be the world language) - 82
3. Shloka - (Will books soon be old-fashioned?) - 91
4. Vivek Bhowmik - (Harmful effects of TV on society) - 80
5. Madhavan, M - (Irrelevance of Gandhi today) - 80
6. Deepak George - (Has science made man's life quite comfortable?) - 80
7. Mainar, V - (Women's Education in India) - 76
8. Praburaj, D - (The advantages of Reading Newspapers) - 76
9. Jaison Mathew Jose - (Has science made man's life quite comfortable?) - 80
10. Dolly Malkam - (Violence - the major issue) - 80
11. Priya - (What are you going to be?) - 90
12. Lakshmi Narayan - (The Importance of making tough choices) - 90
13. Ajit Daniel - 90
14. Riyukta - (Do written exams alone serve any useful purpose?) - 86

15. Ankita - (Boarding Schools - Do you think they teach children to live together?) - 85
16. Ajit Joseph - 63
17. Priya - 75
18. Roshan - 90
19. Arun Prashanth - (Reservation System - A Necessity) - 80
20. Thirumoorthy, N - (Youth) - 88
21. Supraja, P - (Should we hold on to our traditions or give way for change?) - 82
22. Navitha, B - (Distractions of the mobile phone) - 80
24. Dayananth - 80 (If it is to be, it is upto me''.)
25. Abner - 80
26. John Jeba Jayasingh - (Privatisation) - 88

27. Finny - 65
28. Kumar - 63
29. Madhavan - 65
30. Ebarish Rebe, R - 82
31. Silvia, D - 76
32.Hebzibah Nancy - 72
33. Samuel Gnana Selvan - 72
34. Isaac Ebenezer - 72
35. Kalpana - 80
36. Rajesh Kumar - 72
37. Arunan - 80
38. Vignesh Ram - 63
39. Sudha, S - 78
40. Shruthi - 83
41. Ashitha Jacob - 80
The names in red haven't submitted their write-up as yet, while the names in blue have opted for the written part of the test. Kindly submit your write-ups by Monday, 06 April 2009. You can also mail me an e-copy of your write-ups at rufusonline@gmail.com . Past the deadline, you'll have to forfeit the additional fifteen marks meant for the write-ups.
Regards,
Rufus

Thursday 2 April 2009

A Call for all Eco-enthusiasts...!!!

Join in the Rally and the Walk along the Besant Nagar beach
on Friday, 03 April at 4.45 pm,
organised by the Coastal Protection Group,
opposing the construction of the elevated Highway. The Highway will not only seriously affect turtle nesting on the Coast but will also require the destruction of several fishing villages. The rally starts with a press conference at Boys' Club, Besant Nagar Beach.
Join and make a difference!

OSLE-INDIA Study Circle Meet at MCC...:

OSLE-India invites you to the 26th Study Circle
Date: 3rd APRIL 2009 (Friday)
Time: 05: 00 p.m
Venue: Bishop Heber Hall (Guest Room), Madras Christian College
Topic: An evening of Green Poems
Note: Nine members will bring the poems they think are green poems and read them out after which there will be a discussion moderated by Prof. Watson Solomon, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Journalism, SRM School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Please be on time for the Study Circle.

Wednesday 1 April 2009

Muktadhara - 2009 - Snapshots

I BSc Pbt/Zoo - Grand Internal Mark Statement - Reg:

Dear Students of I Pbt/Zoo,
Your Grand Internal Mark Statement for Semester II (Nov - Apr) has been uploaded on our academic website.
I BSc Pb & Pbt - Click HERE
I BSc Zoo (Reg) - Click HERE
Corrections/Clarifications, if any, can be made to me directly or via email on or before 04 April 2009.
P.S: A copy of the Internal Mark Statement will be displayed on the English Dept Notice Board on 02 April 2009 at 9 am.
Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus