In the short space of sixteen weeks, we cannot cover all the topics of interest to the student of this period of American literature.  To present information on some of the topics not covered otherwise, students choosing this option will prepare a short (5-7 minute) oral presentation on one of the topics listed below.

You'll also prepare a one-page "fact sheet" to hand out to the class. This may take the form of an outline, summaries of critical articles, or a synopsis of your argument. You should include at least one critical article or book in preparing your report.

Your presentation may focus on something you wish to work on for your paper. You may also want to work on one of the following:

Additional information about the social, intellectual, artistic, scientific, philosophical, or historical contexts for the works and authors assigned in class.

Interpretations of works or aspects of a work not read in class.

Introductions to authors not specifically covered in the course.

Discussion of one or more critical works relating to the era, such as David Reynolds' Beneath the American Renaissance or Edwin Cady's The Light of Common Day.

Background about the social and intellectual connections among certain groups of authors.

The evaluation of your report will be based on the criteria found on the Report Evaluation Form (http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/engl481/reporteval.htm).

Report Topics and Dates Note: The dates are approximate.

9/11/07	1. Women's realism: Alcott (Work, Hospital Sketches, or Little Women)	Megan Liebrecht
	2. Howells, James, and Twain	Chris Eeds
	3. Emily Dickinson	Tabitha Tredegair
	4. Open topic
	5. Open Topic
	6. Open Topic
10/9/07	1. Kate Chopin: Regionalist or Naturalist?	Kaci King
	2. Asian-American immigration and ethnic prejudice	Chester Thomas
	3. What's in a magazine? Nineteenth-century periodicals (The Atlantic)	Jennifer Custer
	4. Charles W. Chesnutt	Katie Neis
	5. Open topic
	6. Open topic
11/13/07	1. Zola and French naturalism in America	Audrey Rousset
	2. Jack London and race	Amber Keith
	3. Stephen Crane as a journalist	Danielle Jepsen
	4. Anti-Irish / anti-Catholic prejudice	Sarah Miller
	5. Constance Fenimore Woolson	Rhesa Bubbel
	6. Open topic	Jason Ballew