As summer turns to fall, most 麻豆原创 students are rushing to get their textbooks, parking permits and class schedules in order. But this semester, English literature major Emily Aycrigg is packing her bags with 17th-century attire for a conference in Victoria, Canada, where she will meet hundreds of Jane Austen fans from around the continent.
Aycrigg has won first place in the undergraduate division of the 2022 Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Annual Essay Contest for her paper, 鈥淭he Old Well-Established Grievance: Generational Conflict in Austen鈥檚 Sense and Sensibility鈥� out of more than 200 papers submitted. She has been awarded a check for $1,000, a Norton Critical Edition of every Jane Austen novel and a free invitation to JASNA鈥檚 annual general body meeting. There, she will discuss Austen鈥檚 work with fellow 鈥淛aneites鈥� while attending presentations, banquets and even a regency-era ball.
While now an accomplished student, Aycrigg recalls struggling through her first bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science, philosophy and economics. But after graduating and teaching middle school English for several years, she found a renewed love for learning, which spurred her to enroll at 麻豆原创 for a second degree to pursue her true passion: literature.
鈥淥nce I got back on my feet and found a career I enjoyed, I thought: I鈥檇 really like to go back to school and study the subject I love at a university I鈥檓 proud of,鈥� Aycrigg says. 鈥淎t 麻豆原创, I realized how much fun school actually is, getting to read interesting things and have cool discussions with cool people.鈥�
A lifelong reader, Aycrigg grew up reading Jane Austen. Now as a student in the , she has discovered the value of analyzing classic works from a variety of perspectives.
鈥淵ou can simultaneously read for enjoyment, and for the broader cultural context, which I find fascinating,鈥� Aycrigg says. 鈥淥ne of the things I鈥檝e learned from my literature degree at 麻豆原创 is that just because you鈥檙e asked to critically analyze a text you used to have an uncomplicated love for, doesn鈥檛 mean that you can鈥檛 still love that text. It鈥檚 just that you鈥檙e being taught to look at it through multiple lenses.鈥�
The paper Aycrigg submitted to JASNA鈥檚 essay contest was the final assignment for the course British Authors: Jane Austen, taught by senior lecturer Kathleen Hohenleitner, who encouraged her students to apply. According to Hohenleitner, Aycrigg was extremely proactive in the class, always collaborating with her peers in discussions.
鈥淓mily is an excellent writer, thinker and researcher,鈥� Hohenleitner says, 鈥渂ut what I most admire about her is how actively she engages with her peers and their ideas in every class she takes, whether in person or online. Every class she takes is better because she is in it. I think she richly deserves this award.鈥�
What鈥檚 next in store for Aycrigg? Graduate school, she says. Ever the learner, Aycrigg hopes to continue her education with a doctoral degree, and keep doing what she loves: reading, writing and talking about books.
Aycrigg鈥檚 paper can be read on the of the JASNA website.
鲍颁贵鈥檚 English literature bachelor鈥檚 program helps students develop the ability to read discerningly, think critically and write clearly. This track encompasses the study of literature in its historical, cultural and theoretical contexts. Students learn about the ways of people and society, as well as develop a lifelong pleasure to be found in this art form. The degree track is offered fully online and also on campus, providing an opportunity to learn where and how individuals want.
