Announcing the winners of the Spring 2025 UIC Library English 161 Awards
Introduction
Launched in 2020, the UIC Library English 161 Awards recognize excellence in student research that demonstrates best practices in finding, evaluating and synthesizing sources to develop creative and impactful work. The award also calls upon students to describe their research trajectory, reflecting on their process, discoveries and learning experience.
Each semester, instructors from English 161 classes nominate outstanding student papers. To be eligible for the award, students must also write a short essay, reflecting on their research and writing process. Applications are judged by a panel of UIC librarians.
The Library supports student success in English 161 with one or more class sessions on research skills, individual research consultations upon request and an online research guide. The award affirms and supports UIC students' outstanding information literacy and composition.
Congratulations to the Spring 2025 winners!
First Prize: "Creating Gay Paree: A Recuperative Critique of Victor/Victoria" by Grey-Haze Bannon
Instructor Evan Steuber noted, "This is truly the most intellectually engaged essay I've ever read in an English 161 course (and I've taught them off and on for over a decade). Grey-Haze and I spoke of the ideas within it throughout the semester, and the end-product is a very unique and thought-provoking exploration and argument concerning not just the film that it focuses on (Victor/Victoria) but of the nature of critique itself. The writing is fun and fast-paced at the same time as it grapples with really complex theory concerning queer studies and camp. The essay is steeped in research, exploring reactions to the film Victor/Victoria over several decades. It is an extraordinarily ambitious project for 161." And the librarian judges said that your paper was "meticulous and creative in arguing with sources and setting them against one another" ... [it] "opens up a new discursive space for viewing movies, as the writer aptly puts it, pushing the field forward. The writing has the power to pique the reader's interest in Victor/Victoria" ... I also appreciate the writer's acknowledgment of research as a collaborative process. What a critical and creative thinker! This piece made the reader eager to read more of this writer's work." "They put their sources into conversation with each other (which is often difficult for students to do) and also directly entered the conversation themselves. I love that they emailed one of the scholars and then used the response as a source! The piece is truly original and a joy to read; they do a great job of supporting their argument; the paper is well-written (and funny)."
Second Prize: "The Role of Stand-Up Comedy in Shaping Public Perceptions of Mental Health" by Adrian Cichowski
Instructor Evan Steuber noted, "This is an exceptional essay that stands out for its clarity and very logical structure. Adrian does a tremendous job of establishing the parameters of the problem he's investigating and then constructing a convincing argument in relation to it. There is some very strong analysis of specific comedians that is backed up by solid research--it is an informative and convincing essay." And a librarian judge said, "This paper integrates a combination of primary and secondary texts, adeptly weaving them together to make astute arguments about the power--and limitations--of stand-up comedy to enact change regarding the public’s perceptions of mental health. The research is comprehensive for all topics addressed in the paper. Through smooth transitions, and thoroughly explored sources, the reader gains insight into the topic and a number of highly convincing claims are made using a blend of scholarly literature and primary texts."
Third Prize: "Health Problems Delivered: How the Rich and Educated Become the Target of Fast Food" by Nguyen Dang
Instructor Travis Mandell noted, "The student went above and beyond in her research collection and presentation of evidence, investigating and analyzing a complex and novel concept of Food Delivery Apps and their impact on a segment of society. Furthermore, the student demonstrated creativity, thinking outside the box when proposing their research topic, and let the sources guide her thesis with an open mind." A librarian judge said the paper is "well researched and thorough" [and] "does good job of relating them one to another."