Pedagogies

The contest was devised in the hopes of celebrating recent pedagogical innovation, inspiring creative new approaches and creating an additional forum for conversations about Romantic pedagogy—both its boons and challenges. Teachers of all ranks may submit teaching materials, and a panel of three to four finalists are selected to discuss their pedagogy during a panel at the annual NASSR conference. Exemplary submissions consider how teaching revivifies Romanticism, in any of its myriad forms. Submissions might include a course that rethinks the period; a part of a course that addresses a specific author, theory, or literary problem; a special project, assignment, or a particular pedagogical technique. We encourage the use of multimedia resources, digital techniques, and courses designed to use multi-modal digital platforms for learning and communication, but they are by no means required. Courses and projects should be recent—within the past two academic years—or projected to be taught in the following one. After submitting a small packet of material, finalists are chosen via author-blind peer review by a committee composed of members of NASSR in the US, UK, and beyond, Romantic Circles, and the NASSR Graduate Caucus. Finalists will give a short presentation on their courses and pedagogies at a special panel during the NASSR conference, and their syllabi will be published on the Romantic Circles Pedagogies website. The winner, chosen after the panel, will receive a $250 award and recognition at the NASSR banquet. See below for the list of previous winners and finalists as well as their syllabi and course materials. Some contestants have also volunteered an introductory or concluding statement discussing the aims of the course or its end results, depending on whether they have taught the course or are anticipating its teaching. The contest is sponsored by the NASSR Advisory Board, the NASSR Organizing Committee, and the Romantic Circles website.

Please send a document of between 3-5 pages to nassrpedagogycontest@gmail.com. Submission dates can be found on the NASSR conference website of the local organizers. Please include a cover letter with identifying information, which should be left off all other documents. Initial queries and questions are welcomed at the email address above. Potential materials might include but are not limited to:  
- A cover letter and explanation of the submission, including an argument as to the course or project’s pedagogical innovation and benefits  
- Syllabus or parts of a syllabus  
- Assignment sheets  
- Multimedia or digital materials