Primrose Road

Next week, I'm giving my Writing from Lit students their first "Library Assignment." In this class, they're supposed to learn how to (1) write about literature and (2) write research papers, so I want them actually in the li-berry from time to time instead of on teh intarwebs, picking-and-citing from not-always-up-to-snuff literature databases that are often merely encyclopedias rather than collections of critical articles. For this Library Assignment, students will work in groups of four or five and find TEN reliable print sources on the semi-ridiculous topic that their group has been assigned.

This week (Wednesday, actually), I am taking my final comp exam, which is a capstone oral exam via conference call (very convenient when you live 1200 miles away from your university). So while I prepare to answer questions posed by the disembodied voices of my advisor and dissertation committee, I leave the "semi-ridiculous" topics to you, kind reader(s?).

Post in the comments a semi-ridiculous topic (hilarity preferred) -- or more than one -- on which students could find ten print sources (books or journal articles). Those selected will receive (1) a million dollars, payable in chips from the Atlantic City casino of your choice, (2) my enduring love and affection, (3) my students' eternal wrath, and (4) meaning, at last.