EN3263

Philip Holden (email: ellhpj@nus.edu.sg)
Chitra Sankaran (email: ellcs@nus.edu.sg)

[ Introduction and Description | Schedule and Readings | Assessment and Policies | Related Resources ]

Facilitation/Presentation

In the second, third, fourth and fifth turorials we'll have two groups of students doing faciliation/presentation . You will be able to choose from a list of three topics per session (see below), and each group of 3-4 will have 20 minutes of classroom time. If you have ar topic of your own devising in mind, we'd welcome it, but do consult your tutor.

During your presentation, you need to balance time when you are talking in lecture mode with interactive time when you solicit discussion from members of the class. You may want to meet up with the your tutor a week or so before your discussion is held in order to plan what you do. Above all, you need a clear pedagogical objective.

Topics

Week Groups Topic of Seminar Facilitation/Presentation Topics to choose from
3     No group facilitation needed
5 A,B Scorpion Orchid

  1. In Scorpion Orchid - The historical backdrop becomes more than a mere context. It very often informs the text. Discuss.
  2. Discuss how questions regarding an individual's responsibility towards a nation are negotiated in Scorpion Orchid.
  3. The question of ethics is central to Scorpion Orchid and can be seen operating on several levels - Can you identify and discuss some of these?
7 C,D Emily of Emerald Hill

     

  1. Discuss Emily of Emerald Hill as a pre-cursor of a feminist theatrical tradition in Singapore - bring in at least two other plays that you think show feminist predilections and discuss their points of contact and divergence from Emily.
  2. In what ways might we see Emily of Emerald Hill as a social text, reflecting anxieties of a rapidly developing and evolving society?
  3. Identify and discuss features of postcolonial theatre in Emily of Emerald Hill.
9 E, F Joss & Gold

  1. Joss & Gold is often perceived as a text that 'writes back' to Western constructs of the Orient; male constructs of the feminine and so so on. Can you identify a few features in the text that write back to the 'status quo' and discuss these? .
  2. The aesthetics of Joss & Gold form an intrinsic part of its thesis - namely to assert an Asian voice. Would you agree with this?
  3. Discuss communities and nations as they are constructed in Joss & Gold - and their textual significance if any.
11 G, H This Place Called Absence

  1. Discuss and/or explore the sexuality and gender roles in This Place Called Absence, supplementing or deepening lecture discussion.
  2. Of all our texts in EN3263 This Place Called Absence is perhaps the most transnational. What possibilities do transnational texts open up, and what risks or problems do they run into?
  3. Discuss any aspect of the manner in which This Place Called Absence uses historical material.

 

Assessment

An excellent presentation/facilitation will display the following qualities:

1. Able to clearly and effectively communicate to the class the main ideas and findings.

2. Able to effectively use presentation media to support and generate discussion.

3. Able to stimulate active and inclusive class discussion according to a well-formulated agenda that is original, interesting, purposeful, but still sufficiently open.

4. Able to keep track of time, and adjust to any contingencies.

NUS English Language and Literature

Last updated: 16 January, 2007