Proposal for Class Discussion Topics

Over the course of the coming week you will be submitting your choices for discussion/research topics to the class. Once everyone has submitted their proposals, the class will vote on which topics we will pursue. Five groups of three students each will then be formed and each group will be in charge of the class for one week. They will assign readings or viewings and they will moderate class discussion.

That said, there are two components of this proposal to keep in mind.

Oral Presentation

  • You will make a short (approx 5-7 min) presentation to the class. You can choose to simply read your written presentation, or you can speak more informally
  • Your goal is to persuade.
  • Let the class know what interests you about the topic.
  • What do you see, at this point in your research, as possible avenues for further enquiry?
  • Why do you believe this topic is relevant? And to whom is it relevant?

    Written Presentation
    The written version of your proposal need only be approximately one page in length. It should address the questions as listed above, though how they are addressed - your approach - is up to you. Your audience for the written version, as with the oral presentation, should be assumed to be your fellow class members.

    At this point I do not expect you to have done any significant amount of research.