I'm a junior at ASU, and I know your setting, and I think he is attempting to break the ice, get acquainted. School's gone on long enough people are wanting connections, if just someone to talk to. I always suggest a little nudging and mutual initiation to get conversation and maybe some action.
It is not out of reason for you to take a little initiative, maybe get a coffe break together. I think he wants to meet you outside the classroom. I learned my freshman year to just come out and introduce myself and ask questions.
I found most anyone was interested in just having someone personal to talk with. If I were him, you would have been asked to join me in doing something in the next hour or by that evening, your choice or my idea. I found almost everytime I had a positive response.
He's not interested. You probably smell like rotten milk and ramen.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.