Since Modernism is uniquely related to time, I would like to contrast short-lived publications like Blast or Le Petit Journal des Réfusées with long-standing periodicals like Poetry (which remains viable to this day) in an effort to get closer to a definition of modernism.

In exploring this topic, I'd like to focus my research on the following areas:

1) Why did some magazines last while others didn't? What differentiates these magazines? The creative minds behind them (i.e. the vagaries of a Wyndham Lewis) or the nature of their art?

In wanting to make this class as applicable as possible, I am proposing to create a unit about Modernist journals for Fifth grade students that concentrates on social studies and ELA skills. Too often, fifth graders are taught mundane and boring subjects in terms of literacy and literary genres. I plan on highlighting the creativity and sarcasm of Modernist period.

My final project proposal consists of creating a literary magazine that will involve my own writing and a few "vignettes" describing urban life in the same vein as The New Age. The journal will also include book and movie reviews, political commentary, letters to the editor and some very rudimentary artwork. I'm also creating a few comical filler "ads" that will mimic some of the advertisements for services and products we perused in The New Age.

As part of my belief that a topic can be taught to students of various ages at varrying levels, I plan on devising a number of lesson plans that will allow middle school students to interact and learn about avant-garde modernist magazines.  While the experience the students have will not be at a graduate level, it need not be in order for them to have a meaningful study of this particular genre.