Beat Poet Webquest

Introduction
You may have heard of the Beat Poets or a few of its members. Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac are the names most commonly thrown around. But what do you know and think about them? That they're a bunch of writers with no talent, believe in anarchy, and were basically a bunch of hippies? Perhaps you've heard they are a motley group that did too many drugs while taking road trips and just happened to get lucky in the writing business. This group is definitely a misunderstood one, and they offer much more than the surface tends to show.

Task
So who are the Beat Poets? Your goal is to discover this. Where did they come from, how did they form, what did they believe in, what music did they listen to, what religion(s) did they follow, how was their writing different enough to form a distinct group, basically, what made them tick? Your job is to get into the mind of the Beats and be able to relay this information to the class.

Process
So how do you do this? By searching a number of sites to get a feel for this unique group of writers. Check one, or all, of the sites and make careful notes as you go, since they will eventually be compiled into a paper with a minimum requirement of five pages. The second part of the assignment will be to present one aspect of your findings to the class. For example, you can choose to discuss one writer, one piece of work, their philosophical beliefs, religious beliefs, etc. If you want to take your presentation one step further, you can actually put yourself into the Beat mode. A couple of example of this would be to create an original piece of art or writing that follows what you believe to be the Beat style. Or you could give a representation of one of the poets. For instance, if you are particularly drawn to Allen Ginsberg while researching, you may come into class portraying him. This can be done by studying his mannerisms and speech, and you may even want to dress like him! You can either present one of his works or speeches, or hold a Q&A session with the class, giving them a chance to see if you really know your stuff.

Resources
A wealth of knowledge on Jack Kerouac, but also includes other Beats, as well as info on religious and philosophical influences.
Blue Neon Alley

A list of biograpies, works, and articles written on various Beats.
Poets.Org

This is a great site for finding background information. Included are criticism, articles published on, photos, manifestos, tributes to, interviews, even Ginsberg's FBI file.
Poet Information

Looking for more background info? This site lists bios, accomplishments, and lists of works along with links to these.
Background Info

What was the reaction to the Beats when they first emerged, and how does that differ today? Find out here.
News on the Beats

Want to find out where the Beats wrote and hung out? Also included are links to film listings related to them.
Beat Hot Spots

How did the Beats become the Beats anyway? And where did that name come from?
Origin of the Beat Phrase

Yes, there were women Beats, but unfortunately you have to search to find them. Here's a good place to begin.
Women Beats

The Beat Poets Society. A place to post writings that pay homage to this unique style. This would be a great resource if you choose to present a writing of your own.
Beats Society

See what kind of art the Poets have inspired. A great spot to get inspired for an original piece of artwork in a presentation.
Beat Museum

This site gives good perspective into the historical context in which this group was placed and their influence on western culture.
PsychCentral

A great place to resarch the Beat religion of choice: Buddhism.
Buddhism Topics

Want some additional photos?
Beat Photos

Evaluation
Your grade will be divided into two sections: the written paper and the class presentation. Remember, this is your interpretation of the Beats, so as long as you do your research and put some thought and creativity into your presentation, you shoulc do fine. To ensure you're completing everything, follow this rubric.

Conclusion
By the time you've completed your research and listened to everyone's presentations, you should have a clear, even if unique, idea of the Beats. You'll know how they originated, what constitued their style of writing, and what effect they had on not only the literary world, but on the art, music, and cultural scenes, and how they are still represented today. And hopefully, you'll even gain an appreciation for them!