GEK1040: Why Literature?

A/P Philip Holden (email: ellhpj@nus.edu.sg)

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

Presentation/Class Discussion

In GEk1040, we want to do something slightly different from the usual "presentation". One problem with a presentation is that it sometimes tends to become a mini-lecture, addressed to the lecturer or tutor, and can kill debate or discussion. Instead, you'll have the opportunity, in groups, to facilitate thirty to forty minutes of a seminar meeting on an assigned topic. You'll work as a team, and can certainly present information in a mini-lecture format for a section of your alloted time. However, you should also look to have interactive activities which will engage your fellow students in learning.

I'll ask you to sign up for slots early in the semester: the precise requirements for each session will be worked out when the number of students, and the groups to which you are assigned, stabilise.

Schedule

Date	Topic	Presenters
Week 4	Group 1.Presentation/Discussion on the sonnet form and discussion of Wordsworth’s poem as a sonnet
Week 5	Group 2. Presentation/Discussion on F.R. Leavis, Matthew Arnold, and their ideas about culture
Week 6	Group 3. Presentation/Discussion arguing the need for a Literary Canon Group 4. Presentation/Discussion questioning the necessity for a Literary Canon
Week 7	Group 5. Presentation/Discussion on George Orwell’s Animal Farm: the book behind the play
Week 8	Group 6.Presentation/Discussion on Edwin Thumboo and the responsibilities of a Singapore Writer
Week 9	Group 7. Presentation/Discussion on any cultural phenomenon in Singapore using Cultural Studies methodology.

Requirements

1. Please meet with me and chat about your agenda at least one week before the presentation.

2. Be selective. You won't be able to cover all potential issues raised by your topic, but try to bring up a few representative ones which can be dealt with in detail in your alloted time.

3. You should think carefully about the role that each group member is to play - teamwork is important.

4. Think very carefully about how you can involve the entire class in active learning without losing sight of your agenda for discussion. Think carefully about your objectives - what messages do you want to convey, what bigger questions do you want discussed, how can you sustain their interest for thity-forty minutes, how do you intend to start and to close the discussion, and so on?

Assessment

An excellent presentation and discussion will display the following qualities:

1. Able to clearly and effectively communicate to the class key concepts.

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

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

Planning

1. Agenda

What are the main ideas or points that you want to develop?
How will you integrate your team mates' responses to questions asked?
What questions will you ask and how will you phrase them?
How will you get everyone's cooperation to participate actively?
How will you deal with interesting and useful developments that seem to depart from your main agenda?
How will you take advantage of the different perspectives and experiences of students?
How will you keep the presentation/discussion within the required time? Will you set aside some time at the end to give a summation ?

2. Role of each team member

Will each team member be assigned a specific task (asking questions, playing a scripted role, producing handouts, etc)?
How can you make sure that each member plays an integral role in preparation for the discussion?

3. Seating arrangements

How will the chairs be arranged in class?
Where will your team members sit during the different parts of the discussion?
Where will the other students sit?
Where will your tutor sit?

Last updated: 13 August, 2003