How do expression and culture interact or inform one another? How do the Harlem Renaissance’s different forms of expression (fashion, visual arts, music and dance, text and literature) contribute, both individually as well as together, to its overall expressivity? How do we see this working through Nella Larsen's Quicksand in particular and literature in general?
Skills needed:
- Determining how a certain expressive medium contributes to a creative movement.
- Visual literacy—i.e. how to read pictures and photographs for meaning.
Assessment:
I first questioned the pedagogical usefulness of Glogster and glogs. When I thought that, I was then only thinking in terms of it as supplemental to (or potentially substitute of) lectures. But, after doing the glog itself, I realise that they can be a powerful means for research. Before creating this glog, I had very little knowledge of the Harlem Renaissance. During my glog creation, I found out so much more about it. So, although I still fail to see glogs as supporting lectures in any way, I do see them as an effective way to get students to do research that goes beyond the written text and into cultural context. The glogs will therefore be assessed by their level of coverage and engagement.
Assignment:
Identify a certain cultural theme you are interested in that Nella Larsen's Quicksand uses as a means for the characters and/or settings to express themselves. You may draw inspiration from this example glog from a previous class, and choose one of the themes of clothes & fashion, music & dance, visual arts, or text & literature. You are certainly not limited to these, and may choose others not yet addressed in our class discussions. Please consult your classmates and myself if you are unsure about your theme.
Then, using the skills you have gained from our previous assignment to read images and cultural objects, create your own glog to present to your classmates. This glog should help your classmates understand your particular theme as it is presented during the Harlem Renaissance and in Quicksand. Also think about trying to connect what your research informs you about the Harlem Renaissance and how it relates to passages or scenes in Quicksand, as well as how to present that on your glog so your classmates can make the same connection(s).
