As we learned in class, early modern readers (a group that includes readers in Shakespeare’s time) would take the portions of text from their reading and copy them into Commonplace Books for easy access and remembrance. Dr. Alan Jacobs has compared these books usefully to the Tumblrs that abound on the Web now; we might also envision them as an early (and somewhat more private) form of what we now see on Pinterest.

Your final project for the class will ask you to create your own blogspace on CUNY Commons and use it to explore Tottel’s Miscellany in more detail. In effect, you will be creating your own commonplace book online, using blog posts to create new content that remixes and analyzes the poetry from your own perspective. In addition to our regularly scheduled blogs, you will devote the final month of classes to building your site, which should include in no particular order:

• Copies of your marginal annotations and commentary for at least 3 poems from Tottel’s Miscellany that we didn’t read for class (requires analog interaction with your book and a photo or scan of the pages).
  • How you annotated your texts is of course up to you and may include highlights, marginal comments, notes on words, reactions, and even doodles
  • Following a picture/scan of your notes, you should include one paragraph that explains what you understood from each poem and what struck you the most about it in terms of structure, rhyme scheme, motif, or use of imagery
• At least two contemporary references for each poem
  • You may link on your post any element that recalls the themes, topics, motifs in the poem, including songs, YouTube Videos, memes, images, Twitter posts, or even other texts/poems
  • Following each link, include one paragraph explaining how you see the poem connected to the element you posted.
• One post (300-500 words) discussing how you used the OED to understand at least one of your selected poems
  • Make specific reference to lines in the sonnet and how the specific historical definitions in the OED helped you better understand the meaning and significance of the sonnet.

[Note: bonus points may be awarded to sites that include additional posts beyond the ones required or that showcase pictures of ways the student has annotated/interacted with the textbook; where they were reading; or any other random thoughts, links, ideas, or direct quotes from the poem that struck you for a particular reason!]

By week Week 16, you will create your own remixed interpretation of Tottel’s Miscellany. What and how you remix is up to you, but here are some suggestions:

• Remake a new poem using Burrough’s Cut-Up Method (preferably done on paper)
• Create an original illustration/work of art reflecting a poem of your choice
• Write a poem or story from the point of view of the listener of the poems (who typically never gets to talk back)
• Write a short story from the point of view of the imaginary “lover” in the poems (may be satirical!)
• Design two-three memes satirizing the poems
• Write a “cease-and-desist” letter from one of the authors complaining to Tottel about the publication
• Re-shape the collection by reorganizing at least 5 poems and creating new titles for them (requires finding the poems online so you can restructure them on your own site)
• Record a dramatic interpretation of two poems (requires choice of location; wardrobe; pacing). See the NYSE’s Sonnet Project for inspiration
• Or anything else you might think of!

On final exam week (Monday 5/22), you will bring to class a written rationale and reflection (2-3 pages) discussing your experience creating your commonplace book and your choices for your remix. Your reflection must include textual references to the poems, explaining what argument you wanted to convey with your remix and why you chose the medium you did (i.e. is it more impactful? aimed at a specific audience? Does it help make the point of the poem clearer? etc).

Deadlines and Grading:

1. CUNY Commons Site

1.1 Site design (50 points): selection of themes, colors, images, organization of posts and categories are in line with student’s professional online persona, reflect thoughtfulness and creativity. Site is easy to navigate and visually appealing. See this page on how to do this.

• Preliminary site creation due Week 13 (midnight Saturday April 29^th at latest)
• Revised/completed site will be assessed on Week 15 (midnight Saturday May 6^th at latest)

1.2 Marginal notations and commentary (30 points): marginal notes demonstrate student’s engagement with the text and critical thinking skills. Explanatory paragraph showcases knowledge of the poem within its larger context (Tottel’s Miscellany), is clearly and persuasively written, and accurately reflects the notes/comments/engagement illustrated in the marginalia.

1.3 Popular culture references (30 points): at least two links/posts that connect student’s reading of the poems to an outside source like a meme, news item, Twitter post, YouTube video, poem, etc. Student’s paragraph for each poem clearly explains the perceived connection between the secondary source and the poem.

1.4 OED reading (40 points): student thoughtfully and persuasively discusses the important of attending to at least one word’s historical meaning by consulting the OED and explaining how the specific, historical meaning of the word helps us understand the poem.

Items 1.2-1.4 can be completed in any order, and will be graded collectively on Week 15

This means all three items should be online no later than midnight, Saturday May 6th

2. Revisions and rewrites (50 points): Following instructor and peer feedback, student revises published work for the project and, if necessary, alters the theme/formatting of their Commons site. Due by midnight Saturday, May 13^th

3. Original Remix (100 points): student produces an original, new product offering a re-interpretation of Tottel’s Miscellany. This work may be digital or analog. See suggestions above. Student’s work will be graded on creativity, design, clarity, and attention to the text. Due by midnight Monday May 15^th (please note: if you’re making an analog project it should be hand delivered in class)

• Reflection (100 points): 3-4 page reflection addresses student’s choices and proposed argument for their remix, including issues of medium, design, audience, and representation. Student uses textual references to support their rationale. Due in class Monday, May 22

List of deadlines:

• Before midnight Saturday, April 29^th: Site created on CUNY Commons. Email the link to your site to [email protected]
• Before midnight Saturday, May 6^th: Completed commonplace book with all entries and (if applicable) revised/completed site design
• Before midnight Saturday, May 13^th: Revisions on your commonplace book (following required meeting with Prof. Silva on May 8th and required posts on peers’ blogs)
• Before midnight Monday, May 15^th (or in class if non-digital project): Original Remix!
• Bring to class Monday, May 22^nd: Project reflection and rationale