Dr. Obermeier
Eng 211/411
Group Presentations
Rationale: Effective speaking in the public arena is a highly prized skill both in the academic and business world; therefore, I am assigning group presentation topics. Your group (comprised of 4-5 students) will be making its Oral Presentation on the date that topic's presentation is listed on the syllabus. Each Oral Presentation must be no longer than 30 minutes, including 5-10 minutes for questions. This is a group presentation, which means that all group members must somehow participate in the presentation and that the presentation should reflect a group effort rather than individual presentations loosely strung together. This presentation must NOT simply summarize your topic or present a newspaper style review. Instead, I expect your oral presentation to provide both useful information and thoughtful analysis of how the topic relates to the development of the Arthurian legend. While you may briefly offer personal reactions to the topic, the goal of this presentation is to provide material information that will enable your classmates to assess for themselves the place of your topic within the larger scope of the Arthurian legend.
Structure: Each presentation must incorporate:
1) A clear identification of your topic's history and chronology within the larger framework of the Arthurian legend;
2) An identification of key works that you consider useful to understanding your overall topic. For this portion of your presentation, I expect you to provide your audience a works cited page that includes titles, authors/artists and all other necessary bibliographic information (publisher, year of publication, etc.) for your key works; see the Guide to Style for format information: #72-101.
3) A sample of one or more works from your topic to give your audience a stronger sense of the topic. For instance, if your topic is discussed primarily in books, read a sample passage. If your topic is visual art, then show a photograph of the art;
4) An analysis of some of the primary themes or ideas presented in your topic; and
5) Discussion of how the topic relates to the overall Arthurian Legend. This is a formal presentation designed to develop your skills of speaking before a group, so make it extremely professional, useful, interesting and all around GOOD!
Plan your report carefully, practice it often as a group (at least 3 times all the way through as a whole group) before presenting it to the class, and anticipate questions or problems. Your classmates will be your primary audience, not me. They will determine half of your score based on how well it meets the 5 items listed above, the effectiveness of your presentation style and the presentation's overall success by filling out an anonymous form at the end of your presentation. I will average their points and include my half to come up with your presentation score and provide you with their comments. Time is also a key factor in the score for your presentation. You may provide any handouts you wish. I will be happy to photocopy them for the class, if you give me the handout at least one class period before your presentation. Also, if you need any special equipment (projectors, CD players, VCRs, etc.), let me know at least a three working days in advance so I can arrange this for you. Beyond these guidelines, it is up to each group to determine how to handle your presentation and what to say about your topic. While I will be happy to conference with your group about your presentation, be warned that this is your session and I will not step in if you are having trouble. Don't be afraid to be imaginative and inventive. The more interesting and lively your group's presentation is, the more likely your group will receive a high grade for this portion of your grade.
Content:
Oral Presentation 1: Drama 2.25.2002 (possible to be moved to 3.4.2002)
Start with material from the New Arthurian Encyclopedia (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM Ref. DA152.5 A7 N48 1996 On Reserve) and the Arthurian Handbook (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM PN685 L3 1988 On Reserve). You might also want to check into: a Renaissance play in the library titled The Birth of Merlin (once thought to have been written by Shakespeare). There's also a book in the library on Arthurian drama.
Oral Presentation 2: Film, Part 1 2.25.2002 (possible to be moved to 3.4.2002)
Start with material from the New Arthurian Encyclopedia (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM Ref. DA152.5 A7 N48 1996 On Reserve) and the Arthurian Handbook (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM PN685 L3 1988 On Reserve). Two books on Arthurian film by Kevin Harty are on reserve. You could use a film that we have already seen during the film festival and show what medieval sources it uses and how it adapts them. Or you may pick your film.
Oral Presentation 3: Open topic for an enterprising group of students. Please submit ideas to me to see if we can get a group together. 3.25.2002
Oral Presentation 4: Film, Part 2. See under #1. 3.25.2002
Oral Presentation 5: Arthurian Writings by Women 4.15.2002
Start with material from the New Arthurian Encyclopedia (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM Ref. DA152.5 A7 N48 1996 On Reserve) and the Arthurian Handbook (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM PN685 L3 1988 On Reserve). What is different in the writings of women? A number of books and articles are available in the library. A good tool to use it the Online MLA bibliography.
Oral Presentation 6: Music 4.15.2002
Start with material from the New Arthurian Encyclopedia (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM Ref. DA152.5 A7 N48 1996 On Reserve) and the Arthurian Handbook (Lacy and Ashe, ZIM PN685 L3 1988 On Reserve) You might also want to check into: Henry Purcell, King Arthur (opera) (in Fine Arts Library), Wagner's Parzifal. Also, contemporary singer/writer Loreena McKennit uses Arthurian material in some of her work.
Procedure: Please email me your individual topic choice by Tuesday, 2.12.2002, 3 pm (AObermei@unm.edu). I will assemble the groups and report the results to you on Wednesday, 2.13.2002. Students having their own idea for session 3 need to email me too. Thanks.