Ruff Scholarship

The Ruff Scholarship, a generous annual donation from Jim and Walta Ruff, is actually multiple scholarships. It supports current and prospective teachers studying in the CSU English Education program. Multiple awards for up to six credits of tuition may be made annually. Applicants must demonstrate how they will use the funds toward professional development or their degree.

Eligible applicants include individuals in any one of the three following categories:

1.) Employed, full- or part-time, as an English language arts teacher in a public school or
2.) Current undergraduate or graduate students who are within 30 credits of completing their degree and have financial need or
3.) Undergraduate or graduate students who will be student teaching in the spring and in need of financial assistance to reduce the number of hours outside of student teaching that they would work to pay tuition.

We seek applicants with the desire to achieve any or all of the following goals:

deepen and broaden their knowledge in areas relevant to their teaching
critically engage with literacy studies, literary scholarship, academic and creative writing, and/or teacher inquiry
revitalize their work with students, especially those from historically marginalized or underserved populations
connect to a professional community with shared interests

begin or continue a graduate degree in English

Because we seek to increase the diversity of our program, applicants who self-identify as members of marginalized populations are strongly encouraged to apply. The application deadline is March 31, 2023.

We offer several graduate-level English courses in the late afternoons (starting at 4pm or later) once per week. Some of these course offerings include:

E502: Politics of Literacy

E502: Politics of Literacy | Wednesdays 5:00-7:50pm | Dr. Naitnaphit Limlamai

This course is driven by the key question, “In what ways are learning how to read and write the word and the world political?” We begin by developing complex understandings of literacy and literate practices through an examination of definitions, approaches, and contexts. Using these ideas, we'll examine contemporary debates in the field of literacy, including engagements with critical literacy, "reading wars," and banned books. Throughout the course we'll cultivate our own literacy skills as we investigate what forces and factors limit and expand our literacies and our access to it.

E633: Autoethnography

E633: Autoethnography | Thursdays 5:00-7:50pm | Dr. Sue Doe

Welcome to auto-e, the challenging study of self within the structures and the dynamics of power in culture(s), and, paradoxically also the study of cultural concerns through an acknowledged awareness of self. Engaging in this dialectic, we will consider theoretical and critical examinations of autoethnographic representations, will examine methodological strategies associated with autoethnography as a form of research and field work, will examine others’ approaches to the challenging undertaking of autoethnographic writing, and will originate our own autoethnographic projects in directions relevant to individual interests as well as upon shared experiences at CSU.

Ruff Scholarship Application

Fill in and submit this digital form to apply for the Ruff Scholarship

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Email*
Phone*
Semester for which you are applying*
- Fall 2023
If applicable: Where are you currently teaching? [Please include school and location]
Personal Statement*
In approximately 250 words, explain how you will use this award to advance your career interests and objectives, especially as they pertain to the goals described at the start of this application.