ENGL 3333: Children's Literature—Texts and Contexts
Dr. Sigler

• Each group will be responsible for working together by discussing their topic in person (by arranging to meet outside of class if necessary) and by collaborating on workload to:
• Present a brief overview of their topic (10-15 minutes)
• Develop discussion questions and lead a 15-minute class discussion on their topic that includes relevant specific examples from the novel.
• Create a visual supplement to the presentation: this could be a poster, overhead transparencies, Powerpoint presentation, video clip, or combination of these.

• Please limit your oral presentation to no less than 20 and no more than 30 minutes. Practice and time it on your own. If you fail to present on the day you are assigned, your group will not be able to make up the presentation and will receive a grade of F.

• Your group's role is to present the topic to the class in an interesting manner. You may use notes or outlines to present the work but do not read to the class from a prepared text. No matter how well written, that sort of thing gets boring. Make a genuine effort to be interesting. Know what you are talking about, and be prepared to field questions during and after your presentation.

• In your presentation, begin by summarizing your findings about the topic, and leading the class through some examples from the novel that illustrate your points. At the end of your presentation (10 minutes), start the class discussion (10 minutes) by asking some key questions—these should be questions that generate a variety of interpretations and/or opinions. The question should be large and important enough to generate answers that help us to understand the story. You should also be prepared to follow up with your own answers, and lead the class to some relevant examples from the text.

• If you have any questions about what you are to do, or would like suggestions for finding resources on J.K. Rowling or the novel, don't hesitate to discuss them with me.

Below is the list of topics and the dates each group will present.

Group 1 (10/6): Background on J.K. Rowling's Life and Career (this topic will require research)

Tell us what we need to know about Rowling to understand her as a writer.   What are some key events in her life?   In what ways might her background have a significant influence on her writing? How is Rowling (and specifically, how is her first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ) regarded by critics? What has she written or said about this novel that might help us understand and appreciate it more fully? [Anna Sederski, Eric Simon, Cheryl Olson, Carly McLain, Kim Carter]

Group 2 (10/6): Settings

The setting of a fantasy must be made clear if the reader is to more fully enter into the story. Tell us what we need to know to understand the significance of the major settings (e.g. the Dursley home, Diagon Alley and Hogwarts) in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. [Claire Chock, Richard Hackler, Taya Wick, Lissa Bell, Eric Faust]

Group 3 (10/6): The Protagonist, Harry Potter

Help us understand the role, significance and appeal of the novel's main character. What makes Harry Potter an admirable, or even heroic character? What qualities might help explain his seemingly universal appeal among children across lines of race, gender and national identity? In what ways does Harry seem to grow and develop over the course of the novel? What events seem most to contribute to this growth? [Amanda Gartner, Stacy Denny, Ashley Larson, Renae Conrad, Bethany Ida]

Group 4 (10/6): Supporting characters who play positive roles

Friendship, loyalty and sacrifice are important in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone . Help us understand the role, significance and interrelationships of some of the positive supporting characters in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Neville. You may choose others whom you feel are more significant if you prefer. [Leah Bender, Ashley Voracek, Matt Hofman, Sarah Holmbeck, Kath Berg]

Group 5 (10/11): Supporting characters who play negative roles (antagonists)

Help us understand the role, significance and interrelationships of some of the antagonistic supporting characters in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone : the Dursleys, Malfoy, Snape, Quirrell and Voldemort. You may choose others whom you feel are more significant if you prefer. [Melissa Gillett, Trevor DeCorsey, Laurel Anderson, Ryan Gaalswick, Amy Schlafer]

Group 6 (10/11): Major Symbols and Themes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Give us an overview of the major themes in the novel, how they are developed throughout the novel, and the symbols used to represent them. Much of what is classified as high fantasy has as its central theme the classic struggle of good over evil. However, Quirrell tells Harry that "There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it" (291). Is this one of the book's themes, or is it the more classic triumph of good over evil? Which is more important in the world of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , power, or good and evil? [Emily Wells, Birch Orth, Kaisha Sims, Ron Parpart, Scotty Vezina]

Some other possible themes to consider:

o "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends" (306).

o "...to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever" (299).

Group 7 (10/11): The Harry Potter Censorship Controversies (this topic will require research)

There have been challenges to the Harry Potter books in over a dozen states. Give us an overview of the censorship debates surrounding Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone . What are some of the reasons that the book has been controversial? On what grounds has the book been challenged and/or banned from classrooms and libraries. What are some of the arguments that have been made in defense of Harry Potter? What are your responses to the various charges leveled against the book. [Makaria Born, Blake Foley, Tyler Nelson, Kaci Reder, Gregg Grose]