W.E.B. DuBois & “Strivings of the Negro People”: Focus on Do…

Assignment: Contextualizing the Canon Assignment Type: Critical Synthesis Brief & Seminar Presentation 100 points Overview To fully grasp the literary output of the early 20th century, we must first interrogate the sociopolitical landscape in which these texts were produced. This assignment asks you to select one foundational topic from the list below and become the class expert on that subject. The assignment has two parts: A Written Critical Synthesis Brief (analysis of the source material). A Seminar Presentation (teaching the material to your peers). Part I: The Written Critical Synthesis (Paper) Length: Minimum 2 full pages (approx. 600750 words). Format: Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins. MLA Style citations. The Objective: Do not simply summarize the article. You should synthesize the information and construct an argument. You are analyzing the significance of the subject matter. Structure & Requirements: The Thesis (The “So What?”): Your introduction must move quickly to a sophisticated thesis statement. Do not merely state, This paper is about the Brute caricature. Instead, argue how the Brute caricature functioned as a tool of social control or how it influenced specific literary tropes. Synthesis of Main Points: Organize the body of your paper around three distinct analytical pillars derived from the text. Avoid: First, the author says X, then the author says Y. Adopt: The author delineates the economic anxieties driving the caricature, specifically noting… Evidence & Integration: Use direct evidence from the source text to support your pillars. Quotes should be brief and surgically integrated into your own sentences. Block quotes should be avoided for a paper of this brevity. The Conclusion: Conclude by situating this topic within the broader scope of our course. Why does this historical fact or figure matter when we read the fiction of the era? Academic Integrity: Paraphrasing must be substantial. Changing one or two words is not sufficient. You must digest the material and reproduce the concepts in your own academic voice. Part II: The Seminar Presentation (Oral) Duration: 5 to 7 Minutes (Hard stop at 7 minutes). Format: In-person or synchronous Zoom presentation. The Objective: Your goal is not to read your paper. Your goal is to teach the concept. Imagine you are a guest lecturer introducing this topic to an undergraduate class. Presentation Guidelines: Pedagogical Approach: Do not recite your essay. Speak extemporaneously from an outline or note cards. You should demonstrate mastery of the subject, not mastery of reading aloud. Visual Aids: You are required to use a visual element (PowerPoint, Prezi, or a curated list of images/primary documents). If you are discussing the “Tom” caricature, show us historical examples. If discussing Louis Armstrong, play a 30-second audio clip. Facilitation: End your presentation with one provocative discussion question for the class to bridge your topic to our current literary readings. W.E.B. DuBois & “Strivings of the Negro People”: Focus on Double Consciousness.