Research in Literary Studies, Panel 2
Type of Presentation
Panel
Location
D34011
Start Date
4-9-2026 3:15 PM
End Date
4-9-2026 4:00 PM
Abstract
Tasneem Ahmad: How Diverse Cultures Can Be Identified and Studied in Novels For this research project I want to show how you can read various books like A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki and read the different rituals of a culture while understanding the text and its influence. My presentation will also consider Ozeki’s biography and how it helps our understanding of her novel. I want to show that you can follow a whole other culture but still have some similarities with others just from reading certain things in the book. Reading a book isn’t just about understanding what the book is saying but understanding the meaning behind the words being chosen. Anthony Branch, Jr: The Seriousness of The Everyday The goal of this presentation is to unpack the ways in which realism as a genre, particularly James Baldwin’s realism, reflects the essence of the Black experience. Using Baldwin’s 1953 novel Go Tell it On the Mountain as the focus of my analysis, I plan to examine how the author depicts the intersections of race, class, and sexuality in a twentieth century Black community. This novel is set during the great migration, where large numbers of Black people relocated themselves to Midwest and East coast cities like Detroit, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. This moment is significant because it is the beginning of a new period in Black history. During this time, Black people found different resources and opportunities available to themselves. And with this change of landscape came new generations of writers and intellectuals who were able to verbalize the complexities of Black life as they knew it. Realism is especially important to Black writers because it gives us the ability to candidly define our plight. Danielle Martino: When Old Words Dance Anew: Teaching Shakespeare in the Modern Age My presentation explores effective approaches to teaching William Shakespeare in the twenty-first century, with a main focus on his language. I address the current issues that students face in understanding his works, a more student-centered teaching style, and new ways to make Shakespeare easier for all students to grasp. Shakespeare’s complex themes, and unfamiliar vocabulary often intimidate learners, leading to disengagement before meaningful comprehension occurs. Through scholarly articles and pedagogical studies from educators who have implemented innovative instructional methods, this paper will examine how “thinking outside the box” can transform students’ experiences with Shakespearean texts. My analysis highlights classroom strategies that demonstrate how active engagement can reduce the complexities of Shakespeare’s language. Ultimately, this paper will show that Shakespeare’s language is not as challenging as it appears but requires instructional framing. When educators prioritize thematic understanding, creativity, and performance, Shakespeare becomes not only comprehensible but entertaining and meaningful for modern students. Reframing how his language is introduced allows educators to make it enjoyable and keep its literary appeal.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Christopher White
Research in Literary Studies, Panel 2
D34011
Tasneem Ahmad: How Diverse Cultures Can Be Identified and Studied in Novels For this research project I want to show how you can read various books like A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki and read the different rituals of a culture while understanding the text and its influence. My presentation will also consider Ozeki’s biography and how it helps our understanding of her novel. I want to show that you can follow a whole other culture but still have some similarities with others just from reading certain things in the book. Reading a book isn’t just about understanding what the book is saying but understanding the meaning behind the words being chosen. Anthony Branch, Jr: The Seriousness of The Everyday The goal of this presentation is to unpack the ways in which realism as a genre, particularly James Baldwin’s realism, reflects the essence of the Black experience. Using Baldwin’s 1953 novel Go Tell it On the Mountain as the focus of my analysis, I plan to examine how the author depicts the intersections of race, class, and sexuality in a twentieth century Black community. This novel is set during the great migration, where large numbers of Black people relocated themselves to Midwest and East coast cities like Detroit, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. This moment is significant because it is the beginning of a new period in Black history. During this time, Black people found different resources and opportunities available to themselves. And with this change of landscape came new generations of writers and intellectuals who were able to verbalize the complexities of Black life as they knew it. Realism is especially important to Black writers because it gives us the ability to candidly define our plight. Danielle Martino: When Old Words Dance Anew: Teaching Shakespeare in the Modern Age My presentation explores effective approaches to teaching William Shakespeare in the twenty-first century, with a main focus on his language. I address the current issues that students face in understanding his works, a more student-centered teaching style, and new ways to make Shakespeare easier for all students to grasp. Shakespeare’s complex themes, and unfamiliar vocabulary often intimidate learners, leading to disengagement before meaningful comprehension occurs. Through scholarly articles and pedagogical studies from educators who have implemented innovative instructional methods, this paper will examine how “thinking outside the box” can transform students’ experiences with Shakespearean texts. My analysis highlights classroom strategies that demonstrate how active engagement can reduce the complexities of Shakespeare’s language. Ultimately, this paper will show that Shakespeare’s language is not as challenging as it appears but requires instructional framing. When educators prioritize thematic understanding, creativity, and performance, Shakespeare becomes not only comprehensible but entertaining and meaningful for modern students. Reframing how his language is introduced allows educators to make it enjoyable and keep its literary appeal.