NEIU English Institute | Northeastern Illinois University

The NEIU English Institute has stimulating courses available to enroll in for non-credit. Take a course for continuing education hours or just for personal growth and enrichment. To enroll, follow the link below for the course(s) you would like to take and pay online by credit card. No application process is needed for a non-credit enrollment other than creating an account in our registration system. Current and future NEIU students seeking college-level credit can take these courses by registering through the normal process. (Visit our Admissions page and register as a degree-seeking student or student-at-large if you are not already registered as an NEIU student.)

Summer 2021

ENGL 374J: Critical Journalism

In this course you’ll learn to read media more critically, and then learn how to produce your own coverage that addresses the weaknesses you observe in the journalism landscape. Together we’ll read theory from The Frankfurt School, as well as excellent and horrible journalism alike to see what’s needed and imagine what is possible. Students will practice covering a variety of “beats,” using a critical framework, and will produce their own stories on topics of their choosing.

Online – Asynchronous
May 21 through June 26
Prof. Elias Cepeda, r-cepeda2@neiu.edu
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Roberto Elias Cepeda is a 15-year veteran of both print and digital journalism, having covered public affairs, culture, sports, and politics for outlets like Yahoo! News, the Tribune Co., FoxSports, NBC 5 Chicago, and Eater Chicago.

ENGL 395: Craft of the Short Story

In this course, students will combine the study of the form of the short story with writing short stories. Readings will include classical and contemporary works from across many countries and traditions, with an emphasis will be on studying texts and working on craft in workshops. We will consider: what makes a story compelling? Where do stories come from? What even IS a "story?" All that and more!

Online – Asynchronous
May 21 through June 26
Prof. Christine Simokaitis c-simokaitis@neiu.edu
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Christine Simokaitis is a prose writer whose work has appeared in anthologies including “Are We Feeling Better Yet? Women Speak About HealthCare in America,” and the journals Upstreet, Calyx, Paper Darts, and MAKE among others. She currently teaches Composition, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction and Flash Forms at NEIU.

ENGL 397: Summer Creative Writing Institute

Offered only in summer as an intensive course that runs for 10 extended class days. Experimenting with both prose and poetry, students participate in workshops as well as sessions with invited speakers covering subjects such as the craft of poetry and prose, the profession of writing and publishing, and the MFA. The emphasis is on an intense workshop experience and an atmosphere of constructive critique leading to the production of a significant portfolio of writing.

Remote Learning—Synchronous
July 2, 6-9, and 12-16
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Prof. Larry Dean l-dean@neiu.edu
Prof. Christine Simokaitis c-simokaitis@neiu.edu
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Larry O. Dean's numerous books include "Frequently Asked Questions" (forthcoming 2021), "Muse," "Um" (forthcoming 2021), "Activities of Daily Living" (2017), "Brief Nudity" (2013), "Basic Cable Couplets" (2012), "ABBREV" (2011), "About the Author" (2011), and "I Am Spam" (2004). He is also an acclaimed singer-songwriter whose latest solo album is "Good Grief" (2015); "Product Placement," the sophomore album from his band, The Injured Parties, was released August 2019. For more information, go to larryodean.com.