My plan is to design a course (or unit) suitable for high school, ideally 11th or 12th grade. I have yet to decide whether it will be a unit within a larger course, or an “elective” course in its own right. However, as the culminating project for this unit/course will involve the creation of an “avant-garde” magazine (or “ezine”), I can imagine that an entire semester might be an appropriate timeframe within which to work.

Like 775X, this course will focus on Modernist expression in the context of “little magazines,” and will introduce students to the literary/artistic culture out of which these publications emerged (perhaps with a greater emphasis on American Modernism). Students will learn to analyze the “paratext” of avant-garde magazines, and to appreciate the bibliographic codes that influence how audiences receive them. I would like to dedicate a significant amount of time to studying Modernism in the context of the Harlem Renaissance, and to look at the contributions of other “subordinate” cultural groups (specifically those of women and homosexuals).

Essential questions for this course will include:

•    How does art/literature both reflect and shape society?
•    Does art/literature hold the power transform society?
•    Was Modernism an “elitist” movement? and/or Can Modern art/literature be popular?
•    In what ways is “The City” fertile ground for Modernist expression?
•    How have technological advances of the past century affected artistic/creative possibilities?
•    What might a “New Modernism” for the 21st century look like?
And, of course:
•    What defines “Modern” art/literature?

As mentioned, students will be required to participate in the creation of an avant-garde publication that embodies some of the same qualities that defined the Modernism of the 20th century – namely, it should demonstrate a consciousness of form and an effort to break from (or build upon) “traditional” forms of artistic expression. Students will likely work in small groups for this project. I would like them to write a “manifesto” or “mission statement” outlining their beliefs and the objectives (artistic, political, spiritual, etc.) they hope to realize through its dissemination. They will also be asked to provide a rationale for the aesthetic choices they make and for the advertisements they include (or elect not to include) in their publication.

*In an ideal world, students would have regular access (during class time) to a computer lab and publishing software. I would also need to be trained in website construction (a workshop my school actually just began offering teachers), in the event that students wish to publish their magazine online. 

** The more I think about this, the more convinced I am that this material would be best covered in an elective course. Thoughts?