Response to Guest Presenters
Assignment: We will have a series of guest speakers visit the class over the course of the semester. You will sign up to respond to the presentation of one of those speakers. Do not think of your task as debating with the speaker; rather you should be prepared to provide a short response to one or more methodological issues raised by the guest's work, synthesizing them with our readings and discussions, and to raise questions that will initiate a discussion of the speaker's work and, particularly, the methodology and feminist problems/insights of her work (as evidenced both in her paper we will all have read and in her oral presentation). Do not hesitate to disagree with ideas or approaches, but treat our guests graciously.
You will write out a short (500 words or less) response to the guest presenter. You need not read word for word from your written response when you speak in class, but you will turn in the written response at the end of the class meeting.
Purpose: Visits by other scholars allow us to broaden the range of our understanding of methodological problems, interventions, strategies, opportunities. Having one student well-prepared each time to initiate discussion will make the scholars' visits more rich for all of us. The presence of guest presenters also introduces students to a wider range of scholars and scholarships than they would otherwise meet by taking classes. I encourage you to follow up with guest presenters who can help you in your own research and writing.
Method: Read the guest presenter's work carefully, paying special attention to her methodology. Review class readings that seem to raise related issues. Prepare a short (500 words or less) response to the guest and launch a discussion by opening the issues, work, methodologies to the larger class.
Evaluation: You will be evaluated on the analysis, argumentation, and synthesis (with class readings) of your written response; on the effectiveness of your in-class presentation (speaking clearly, organizing your ideas for comprehension); and on your ability to launch a class discussion (remembering that you cannot rely on your fellow students to be as familiar with the guest presenter's ideas as you are). The Response counts as 10% of your total grade.