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Library Mini-Conference: Through the Looking Glass and Beyond the Wardrobe: Suggested Topics (to help you brainstorm)

Notice

Come back periodically for updated potential subjects! We are adding more as we think of them. Please note that you can propose ANYTHING you come up with. These are just ideas for those who may struggle coming up with an initial idea.

If you need help or want to ask questions, please contact Prof. Kidwell (ekidwell@hawks) or Crumbley (paige.crumbley@hawks).

To propose a presentation, follow this link

The Sciences

The Role of Mathematics in Alice in Wonderland.

How does Carrol's background in mathematics inform the structure of his work?

What could have caused Alice to believe she was growing big or small?

C. S. Lewis had a great love for the environment.  How is this reflected in The Chronicles of Narnia?

Psychology

If Alice is hallucinating, what could cause her to believe all of Wonderland is real?

What could cause the Pevensies to believe they were in a different world?

How did the White Witch convince Edmund that she was truly on his side and his siblings weren't?

What causes the White Rabbit to be so anxious?

What are some ways to effectively address chronic lateness?

Arts & Humanities

The Gendering of Weaponry (ex. from The Chronicle of Narnia)

Issues of theology in The Chronicles of Narnia and/or Alice in Wonderland.

The artistry of Disney's Alice in Wonderland.

The use of mythology in Lewis' works.

The use of riddles in Carroll's works.

How is a raven like a writing desk?

How does Lewis deal with the concept of evil in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?

Compare/contrast the works of Lewis and Carrol or one of those authors and their contemporaries or other authors who write similarly.

How does Carrol use riddles, puzzles, and imagery to contribute to the dreamlike state of Wonderland?

How does Lewis use allegory and folklore in his works?

Explain the philosophies of time in Alice in Wonderland.

Are the movies better than the books?

How did the visual aspects of the movies enhance or detract from the original book?

Compare and contrast reviews of The Chronicles of Narnia or the Alice books at original publication to today.

Compare and contrast film versions of the Narnia stories or the Alice books.

 

 

 

 

Sports

Can you play croquet with a flamingo?

Is there a more suitable bird for a croquet mallet?

What are the muscles needed for fighting with a sword? What is a good set of exercises to build those needed muscles?

The history of lawn games.

 

 

Criminal Justice & Political Science

The Queen of Heart's reign of terror.

The ruling of the White Witch.

Aslan's helping paw in politics.

Business

Sustainable models for a tea party.

How are these works still making money?

What made these works so successful?

Is celebrating a very merry unbirthday a sustainable habit?

The Alice stories as a commercial enterprise.