LAE6392

Naming a Generation

Critics, scholars, and reports constantly invent clever names for the current generation (i.e. The Google Generation). Despite these analysts’ efforts, such names more often arise from within the group under discussion, through generational spokesmen: The Doomed Generation, The Beat Generation, Generation X… As budding scholars and critics, it is our duty to go to the source before attempting to impose our analysis and judgments of who are students are.  This project asks students to think critically about what distinguishes them from previous generations and what cultural artifacts, and names, they would offer as generational representatives.

To introduce this project, instructors should present articles by scholars that attempt to define the current 17-21 year old age group, as well as pieces that explain generations past.  Students would choose at least two cultural artifacts (films, musical groups, TV shows, websites, technologies, novels, drugs, politicians, companies...) and explain why these embody the attitudes, ambitions, and moods of their age group.