Community Outreach
The Department of English is committed to teaching and serving our Memphis and Mid-South communities. Please contact us at 901.678.2651 if you would like to discuss ways we can work together.
Current Outreach Programs
WordSmith Writing Olympics - February 16th, 2025
Middle and high schools are invited to submit teams of student writers to compete in a fun series of writing challenges. Contact Ms. Cathy Dice at cdice@memphis.edu or visit the WordSmith Writing Olympics webpage for more information.
English as a Second Language Classes
Take classes in English or advertise your programs for non-native English speakers. Contact Dr. Rebecca Adams a radams4@memphis.edu or visit our ESL Classes webpage for more information.
Past Outreach Programs
Compose Yourself: AI Literacy Workshop Series Fall 2024
A hands-on workshop series with UofM English faculty and the Memphis Public Libraries on Artificial Intelligence. Below you will find a list of current series topics and registration information. This series will be hosted at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library on Tuesdays from October 22nd - November 19th beginning at 6:00pm in room L-56.
- What is AI?
Spotting AI content, misinformation, and scams online.
October 22nd | 6:00-7:30pm - A Generative AI Guide:
ChatGPT, CoPilot, and Gemini
November 5th | 6:00-7:30pm
Click here to view the presentation - Prompt Engineering 101:
Asking Good Questions
November 12th | 6:00-7:30pm
Click here to view the presentation
Click here to download the worksheet - Incorporating AI Into Your Workflow
November 19th | 6:00-7:30pm
Compose Yourself 2.0: Digital Literacy Workshop Series Spring 2024
This 8-week workshop series - made possible by Memphis Public Libraries and the Memphis Library Foundation - invited the Memphis community to learn from English and Communications graduate students on topics and skills necessary to navigate today's technological world. Below you will find a list of past series topics and the presentation that accompanied each sesion.
- Introduction to digital literacy, overview of commonly-used online tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Gmail.
- View the presentation
- Introduction to tracking methods and how to protect yourself online, common scam tactics and how to avoid them.
- View the presentation
- Online communication etiquette, ethics, and taking care of your mental health.
- Understanding Artificial Intelligence, the importance of fact-checking online information, and overview of OpenAI's ChatGPT 3.5.
- Methods for spotting and avoiding the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news with an emphasis on algorithms and social media.
- View the presentation
- Navigating online job postings and LinkedIn as a social media site and networking community.
- View the presentation
- Preparing digital resumes, cover letters, and professional emails.
- View the presentation
- Preparing for modern interviews, the virtual interview, remote work, and an overview of Zoom.
- View the presentation