James Baldwin

Assignment: Deep dive into a writer-activist

Purpose: To introduce your peers to the work of an important writer-activist

Format: Your project can take the form of a traditional paper, a creatively imagined paper, a slideshow, a film, a podcast, or any other form that strikes your interest and curiosity and that you feel is appropriate to convey the information you are presenting.

Due date: 12/15 11:59pm

Description of key texts by the writer-activist, including publication dates and brief (1-5 sentence) synopses; (1-2 pages or slides; 1-2 minutes)

Close reading of a key passage (this could be a single sentence or a paragraph) (2-3 pages or slides; 4-5 minutes)

Timeline of important events and dates in the writer-activist’s life (1-2 pages or slides; 1-2 minutes)

Discussion of their activism (1-2 pages or slides; 1-2 minutes)

List of themes in their work and life (1 page or slide; 1 minute)

Explanation of change created by their writing and/or activism (1 page or slide; 1 minute)

List of authors and/or activists connected to the author (1 page or slide; 1 minute)

Personal and/or critical reflection on the writer-activist’s work (2 pages or slides; 2 minutes)

Writing prompt based (in any way) on the work by this author (1 page or slide; 1 minute)