In the short space of sixteen weeks, we cannot cover all the topics of interest to the student of this period of American literature.  To present information on some of the topics not covered otherwise, students choosing this option will prepare a short (5-7 minute) oral presentation on one of the topics listed below.

You'll also prepare a one-page "fact sheet" to hand out to the class. This may take the form of an outline, summaries of critical articles, or a synopsis of your argument. You should include at least one critical article or book in preparing your report.

Your presentation may focus on something you wish to work on for your paper. You may also want to work on one of the following:

  • Additional information about the social, intellectual, artistic, scientific, philosophical, or historical contexts for the works and authors assigned in class.
  • Interpretations of works or aspects of a work not read in class.
  • Introductions to authors not specifically covered in the course.
  • Discussion of one or more critical works relating to the era, such as David Levering Lewis's When Harlem Was in Vogue or Ann Douglas's Terrible Honesty: Mongrel Manhattan in the 1920s.
  • Background about the social and intellectual connections among certain groups of authors.

    • Report Topics and Dates Note: The dates are approximate.

     

    		    
    9/11/18

    1. Algonquin Round Table: Franklin Pierce Adams, Alexander Woollcott, Dorothy Parker, or another author

    		 
     

    2. 1920s characters and caricatures

    		 
     

    3. Advertising in the 1920s

    		Lindsey Shannon
      4. Prohibition and speakeasies Andy Snow & Ashley Cole
      5. 1920s slang McKenzie Kopp
      6. Open topic Anna Luck/Jackson Shroyer
     

    7. Open topic

    		 Grace Valeson
     
     

    10/9/18

    1. Jazz from a musician's perspective

    		Angel Bonilla
     

    2. Retrospective views of the Harlem Renaissance (August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom or other works)

    		Emma Haug
     

    3. Fire!!!

    		 Roz Thalken
     

    4. Lewis, When Harlem Was in Vogue or Douglas, Mongrel Manhattan

    		Marquelle Boone
      5. Open topic Madeline Eggleston
     

    6. Open topic

    		Bethany Smyth
     

    11/1/18

    1. Gertrude Stein or other writers

    Kennedy Lunceford

     

    2. Paris in the 1920s

    		Bailey Kindle

     

    3. Transnational, expatriate, and other writers

    		 Nazua Idris

     

    4. Open topic

    		 Sophia Giles
      5. Open topic Trey Holland

     

    6. Open topic

    		Isabella Troiani