Performing Nationalism

                                       ORAL PRESENTATION 40%

                                     HANDOUT AND INSTRUCTIONS


Starting from our meeting two, each class will feature an ORAL PRESENTATION, which will summarize
theoretical ideas of the assigned texts, discuss the historical context in which the work of art
originates, and offer critical review of these readings in application to the analysis of the play
or production of the week.


Preparation for ORAL PRESENTATION includes:


1)      To prepare their Presentations, each group must read all required materials of their
presentations section, take good notes and prepare several discussion questions to the class. In
order to do this students must

a.       Read both theoretical and practical material of the week;

b.      Summarize major theoretical points from their readings and analyze how these theoretical
lenses apply to the analysis of the play (film, or production);

c.       Identify the most important theoretical points (two or three max) to be discussed in your
presentation;

d.      Develop an analytical and critical standpoint on the proposed material; and

e.       Design a clear structure of the arguments.


2)      The structure of this presentation is like a critical or argumentative paper. It consists
of  5 sections:

a.       Introduction: title of the presentation and focus point topic or thesis statement of your
argument, supported by the list of examples or evidence from the practical material of the week.

b.      Historical and cultural context relevant to the play/production of your presentation,
including

ü      information on historical and political context of the time,

ü      biographical information about the artist(s),

ü      description of the work of art itself – what it is about, its major characters, space/time
of action, and its major conflict

c.       Three key-terms from the theoretical readings of the week. These terms must relate to the
theme of the course and its key ideas – nationalism and performance

d.      Application (analysis): three clearly defined arguments in relation to the theoretical
material of the week and analysis of the play/production of the week to make your arguments
convincing. Each section of the application must conclude with a small discussion question
addressed to the class.

e.       Creative component - your gift to the class – individual choice of the presenter


3)      Working on zoom demands extra attention and effort. As a presenter your objective is to
present and clarify the material of the week, and engage your classmates into a fruitful
discussion.  To do this, you can thinking of these questions

ü      What is your role as Presenter today?

ü      What is your engagement with the material?

ü      How can you stay within the scientific argument not your emotional response to the material?

ü      How do you want to involve your classmates into this discussion?

ü      What conclusions do you want them to draw after this presentation?

ü      Any visual aid – including recording your own presentation and using extra audio and video
resources - is an asset.