Assignments

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Homework Assignments are due with each reading and will account for 20% of your final grade in this class. We will not take up class time with reading quizzes, but these assignments are due on my desk at the start of each class period (12:00 sharp). I will only accept ONE late homework assignment per student; print out the "late homework" coupon on this page, and attach it to your work.

Quizzes are usually worth 10 points, but responses may be worth more. We will have approximately 16 total assignments for a total of 200 points. It is possible that we may have more than 200 points; in that case, anything over 200 will be "extra" credit.

Homework assignments should be ONE page in length. They vary between short responses, quizzes, and artistic responses; please follow directions given. Most assignments require that you include at least 3 correctly cited quotes from the story somewhere in the assignment. If it is a response, then discuss the quotes as part of your paragraph. If it is a quiz, then I will direct you as to where to inlcude the quotes. If it is a visual representation, then include the quotes as part of the image you've created.

Some assignments are one format, but some encompass multiple formats. Again, read the directions carefully.

For sample citation formats, please scroll to the bottom of the SYLLABUS page. You can also consult your grammar handbook under "MLA" and "Citation". It is VERY important that you understand proper citation format.




W 20 Jan: Intro & Syllabus [NO ASSIGNMENT DUE]


F 22 Jan: Literary Periods & Alexander [NO ASSIGNMENT DUE]

Unit 1: The Greeks): [LO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6]

M 25 Jan: “The Epic of Gilgamesh” : Choose ONE of the following:
ASSIGNMENT: One theme in "Gilgamesh" is that fulfillment is not possible without companionship, friendship, and love with an EQUAL. 1. In a one page written response, discuss this theme as it pertains to the story. Include at least 3 correctly cited quotes from the story that stand out as representative of this theme and discuss why/how.
OR  2. You can choose to visually represent your answer to the above question artistically. If you choose this option, make sure to include 3 cited, explained quotes and include captions under your images to explain your "visual analysis" of the topic.

W 27 Jan: “The Iliad” (to 146)
ASSIGNMENT- QUIZ:
1. Who are Achilles' parents?
2. What exactly is the war prize that Achilles and Agamemnon are fighting over?
3. Who pleads with Achilles and Agamemnon to stop their bickering and points out that the Trojans would "leap for joy / to hear the two of you battleing on this way" (1.299-300)?
4. What does Achilles vow NOT to do in Book 1, page 127?
5. Who is Achilles' "great friend"?
6. To whom does Achilles' mother "lobby" to "exalt" her son and "grant the Trojans victory after victory/ till the Achean armies pay [her] dear son back" (1.607-608) until his honor is restored?
7. Who is the Trojan leader in battle (the man with the "flashing helmet")?
8. Why is Hector upset with Paris in Book VI? [This answer may require some elaboration.]
9. Why is Andromache grief-stricken in Book V1?
10. List and cite 2 important quotes from the first part of the story (up to 146) and explain their significance.


F 29 Jan: “The Iliad” (to 192)
ASSIGNMENT: QUIZ
1. In Book IX, how does Agamemnon plan to win Achilles back to fight?
2. What is the significance of the following quote: "Patroclous brought the bread, set it out on the board / in ample wicker baskets. Achilles served the meat." (IX.259-260)? In other words, what does this signify about their relationship?
3. Who is the "swift runner"?
4. In Book IX, who does Agamemnon suggest Achilles marry? Does he?
5. Who gets permission to fight at head of the Myrmidons?
6. Who does Hector kill under wrong presumptions in Book XVI?
7. What does Hector take from the dead body?
8. Why does Hector feel his death is "immenent"?
9. Choose and comment on a quote that you feel represents the theme of grief in this section of the story.
10. Choose and comment on a quote that you feel represents the theme of revenge in this section of the story.


M 01 Feb: “The Iliad” (to 225)
ASSIGNMENT: OVER THE COURSE OF THE STORY, ACHILLES EVOLVES. HE IS A ROUND CHARACTER THAT EXPRESSES AN ARRAY OF EMOTIONS (ANGER, STRENGTH, GRIEF, ETC.) AND IS MOTIVATED BY VARYING CIRCUMSTANCES TO FIRST RESTRAIN FROM THE WAR, THEN TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE WAR WITH A VENGEANCE.
CHOICE-- PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING.
1. WRITE A SHORT RESPONSE PAPER (1 PAGE (approx. 3 paragraphs), CONTAINING AT LEAST 3 CORRECTLY CITED QUOTES)
THAT TRACES THE EVOLVEMENT OF ACHILLES' CHARACTER. INCLUDE AN EXPLANATION OF HIS CHARACTER TRAITS AND MOTIVATION FOR HIS ACTIONS AND HOW THIS CHANGES OVER THE COURSE OF THE STORY.
2. OR, YOU MAY CHOOSE TO VISUALLY REPRESENT ACHILLES' CHARACTER EVOLVEMENT ARTISTICALLY. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION, THE REFERENCES TO HIS CHARACTER TRAITS AND MOTIVATION FOR BEHAVIOR MUST BE CLEAR. PLEASE INCLUDE AT LEAST 3 QUOTES IN YOUR VISUAL REPRESENTATION, as well as captions.


W 03 Feb: “Troy” [NO ASSIGNMENT DUE]

F 05 Feb:  “Troy” wrap-up; "Song of Songs" (96); Sappho's 3 poems (530)
"Song of Songs" is a controversial Bible passage. Some modern religious scholars can't seem to come to terms with a passage that deems sex as "sacred", which contradicts our modern notions about "sex". You've already learned that "sex" was viewed differently in the past. What do you think accounts for the shift in views about "sex" and "sexuality"? Do you view "sex" as a sacred act? Explain. Use at least 3 quotes from "The Song of Songs" in your response. This should be a SHORT response, between 1/2-1 page single spaced.

In class, I will be using the Penguin Classic version of "The Symposium". There is a version on the internet, but it isn't a great translation, and a lot of the power of the text is lost. However, as a last resort, reading the online version is better than nothing, so i'll post the link: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/symposium.html


M 08 Feb: "The Symposium" (Phaedrus, Pausanias, Eryx)
Quiz:
1. Who is recounting the story of what happened the night of "The Symposium"?
2. Fill in the blank: Phaedrus says that "I would claim that there is no greater benefit for a young man than__________" (10).
3. What are the 2 kinds of love about which Pausanias speaks?
4. Which speaker talks about medicine and "diseased parts"?
5. What is your favorite quote from the section? Explain the quote and why you were drawn to it.

W 10 Feb: "The Symposium" (Aristophanes); Genesis 1-3, Creation & Fall

Assignment: Aristophanes' speech is the heart of "The Symposium". It is a creation story that discusses not two, but "three types of human genders" (22). He also describes love as being a creative force.  In a one page, single-spaced, response containing at least 3 paragraphs, explain your thoughts on the concept of "soulmates" and how Aristophanes' speech relates to this concept and challenges our moderns notions of it. Use 3-6 correctly cited quotes in your response.

OR you can choose to visually represent your response. Include 3-6 correctly cited quotes, as well as captions.

This assignment is worth 20 points.

F 12 Feb:  “The Symposium” (Agathon, Diotoma, Alciabades)
Assignment:
Diotoma concludes that "Love's function is giving birth in beauty both in body and in mind" (43). Explain what you think this quote means and give examples. Think about the idea of love "creating", but not just "procreating". Feel free to relate the concept to your own experience with love. Your response should be at least 1/2 of a page single-spaced.



W 17 Feb: "Hedwig" [No assignment due]

F 19 Feb: "Hedwig"; Essay 1 Topics [No assignment due]

M 22 Feb: Poetry: "Saphho", "Love of You..." (52); THESIS/TOPICS DUE, LIBRARY RESEARCH

W 24 Feb: "The Apology of Socrates"
Assignment: You can choose one of the 2 options below. This is worth 20 points.
1. Visually represent with a series of at least 5 vignettes (small pictures) "The Apology of Socrates". Please include quotes and taglines with each "scene".
OR
2. Discuss and respond to EACH of the following quotes from the text. Please put them in perspective of what is happening in the text as well as responding to their "meaning".
A. "All who from envy and malice have persuaded you...for I cannot have them up here and cross-examine them, and therefore I must simply fight with shadows in my own defence, and argue when there is no one who answers" (781).
B. "Socrates is an evil-doer, and a curious person, who searches into things under the earth and in heaven, and he makes the worse appear teh better cause; and he teaches the aforesaid doctrine to others" (782).
C. "I am better off that he is, -for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows; I neither know nor think that I know..."(784).
D. "Either death is a state of nothingness and utter unconsciousness, or, as men say, there is a change and migration of the soul from this world to another" (798).
E. "In another world they do not put a man to death for asking questions" (799).


F 26 Feb: "Poetics" (799-804) & Research Paper Sources & Outline Due
Assignment: Quiz
1. Who did Aristotle tutor?
2. What does Aristotle say that tragedy is "an imitation of"?
3. What does Aristotle say is "the most important thing of all" in tragedy?
4. Finish the quote: "Now a thing is a whole if it has a..."
5. What is "catharsis"?


Unit 2: Old & Middle English Lit: [LO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6]

M 01 Mar: Rough Draft Due

W 03 Mar: Essay 1 Due; Exam Review [Exam Review is now posted to this website... find the tab]
Read "Lanval" and "Laustic" (1767)


F 05 Mar:  Midterm Exam

M 08 Mar:  “Beowulf” [You are responsible for reading at least pgs. 1632-1650 & 1694-1702]
Quiz:
Comment on the following terms indentifying their significance in the story:

Ecgtheow
Herot
Grendel
Wiglaf
Hrothgar
Unferth
Geats
Favorite quote from the story: List, cite, and tell why.

W 10 Mar: “Sir Gawain”
Assignment: Make a booklet that both defines (what is this term, why is it important in the story, etc.) and visually represents (drawings, cut outs, etc.) each of the following key terms from the story:
Page 1: Camelot
Page 2: The Green Knight
Page 3: The Ax
Page 4: Pentangle
Page 5: Green and Gold
Page 6: Wirral
Page 7: Bercilak
Page 8: Deer, Boar, Fox
Page 9: The Sash
Page 10: 3 Favorite Quotes from the story (include visual representation or written response)
Include page numbers, and staple the booklet together. This is worth 30 points!

F 12 Mar: “The Canterbury Tales” (Prologue)
ASSIGNMENT: From the prologue, you learn that some of the characters are "ideal" figures (The Knight, The Parson, etc.), and some are "scoundrels" (The Miller, The Pardoner, etc.). Which group would you want to ride with; why? Use at least 3 quotes from the text in your response.


M 15 Mar: Spring Break – Begin “Hamlet”

W 17 Mar: Spring Break

F 19 Mar: Spring Break

M 22 Mar: “The Miller’s Tale”
Assignment: Either 1. Artistically represent the Miller and the plot/characters of his tale using captions to explain your images. You can draw or put together a collage that represents the story and its narrator.
OR
2. Write a response to the tale that includes a discussion of the main characters, basic plot, theme, and at least 3 symbols or irony in the story (example: pear tree, the kiss, "water", etc.). Include at least 3 quotes from the story in your discussion.  Because this is a poem, you cite line numbers; example: (Chaucer lines 55-57). Separate line breaks with a slash. The response should be about one page single spaced if handwritten or one page double-spaced if typed. UNDERLINE OR BOLDFACE the theme, key words of the plot points, main characters' names, and the 3 symbolical or ironic elements you choose to discuss.


W 24 Mar: “The Pardoner’s Tale”
Your assignment for this story is the same as "The Miller's Tale" assignment. You have two options-- a written or a visual response.


F 26 Mar: “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” (Essay 2 Assignment)
Your assignment for this story is the same as for the other 2 tales listed above. Either visually represent or give a written response. Follow the same directions as listed above.


Unit 3: Renaissance): [LO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6]

M 29 Mar: “The Prince”

W 31 Mar: “The Prince"

F 02 Apr: Peer Editing, Essay 2

M 05 Apr: Essay 2 Due; Hamlet Trial Assignment/Library; Hamlet lecture

W 07 Apr: project assignments; groups/library

F 09 Apr: “Hamlet”: Annotated Bibliography (Bring all articles to class)

M 12 Apr: "Othello"-- Final Homework Assignment:

Write a paragraph discussing the theme(s), characters, basic plot, setting, tone/mood, and symbols from Shakespeare's "Othello". THEN, go to http://www.wordle.net   Click "create". Copy and paste what you wrote into the blank space to create your WORDLE. You can change your wordle to look however you want it to. Print out the WORDLE, and this is what will be graded as your homework assignment. Since everyone's paragraph will be different, so too shoudl everyone's wordle.


W 14 Apr: “Othello” & "O"

F 16 Apr: Round table read-- choose screenplay

M 19 Apr: Annotated Bib due; final trial prep

W 21 Apr: Hamlet's Trial Pt 1

F 23 Apr: Hamlet's Trial Part 2

M 26 Apr: The Geoffrey Competition

W 28 Apr: Study Period

F 30 Apr: Study Period

M 03 May: Exam 2

W 05 May: Presentations

F 07 May: Presentations

May 10-13: Final Exams (Bachman Awards)

Paragraph.

SAMPLE RESPONSE PAPER

Hollie Domingue

English 2332

Response: “Gilgamesh” [HEADER UPPER LEFT CORNER]

                                      Gilgamesh + Enkidu = Fulfillment [TITLE THAT IS UNIQUE]

       “The Epic of Gilgamesh” is one of the earliest stories ever written, and it is interesting that even in 2700 B.C., human beings understood the notion that having a loving relationship with an equal was key in living a fulfilled life. [THESIS STATEMENT ADDRESSES RESPONSE QUESTION] Prior to Enkidu’s arrival, Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, attempts to find fulfillment by flexing his muscles and displaying his dominance. It is said that “His lust leaves no virgin to her lover” (1.13), but the sex does not fulfill Gilgamesh.  [THE QUOTE IS INTRODUCED AND CORRECTLY CITED] The people of Uruk approach the gods to “create his equal” (1.13) in hopes that this will appease Gilgamesh.  The goddess Anu creates Enkidu for Gilgamesh. [THERE IS A TRANSITION] [THERE ARE SEPARATE PARAGRAPHS THAT ARE INDENTED AND CONTAIN AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES; 5 SENTENCES ARE MINIMUM IN A FORMAL ESSAY, BUT AN INFORMAL RESPONSE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 3 OR 4 PER PARAGRAPH]

       Enkidu is at first a wild savage who is at one with nature. [WHILE SUMMARY STATEMENTS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE TOPIC STATEMENTS IN A FORMAL ESSAY, THEY ARE ADEQUATE FOR AN INFORMAL RESPONSE ASSIGNMENT] After being initiated into adulthood with a harlot, his creature friends abandon him, and “he longed for a comrade, for one who would understand his heart” (1.15). Enkidu is sent to Gilgamesh, and after a quick fight to prove their equality of strength, “Enkidu and Gilgamesh embraced and their friendship was sealed” (2.17). Gilgamesh then focuses his attention on his new friend and leaves Uruk in peace. Before their journey to fight Humbaba, Gilgamesh reveals that  “there is nothing to fear!” (2.17) in regards to death because if he dies, he leaves behind a noble name to be remembered. However, once Enkidu dies from battle wounds, Gilgamesh evolves. [NOTICE HOW THE QUOTES ARE INTRODUCED AND CITED]

      Gilgamesh is grief-stricken after Enkidu’s death. He no longer sees death in the same way and even tries to bring Enkidu back by weeping for him daily and refusing his body for burial (4.31). Now afraid of death, he goes in search of a plant that will restore his lost youth but to no avail. Prior to his friendship with Enkidu, Gilgamesh acts erratically and falls short of his potential as King. After he experiences true “love”, he finds a path to great praise (7.41). [I HAVE USED THIS PARAGRAPH TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO CITE INFORMATION FROM THE STORY THAT IS NOT DIRECTLY QUOTED BUT USES SOME OF THE SAME WORDING OR SENTENCE STRUCTURE]

       When Ninsun first tells her son Gilgamesh about Enkidu, who has been created to be his companion, she says, “you will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you” (1.`15). This was the basis of their relationship; it was true, pure, and equal. Gilgamesh respected Enkidu in a way that he couldn’t respect the people he ruled. Gilgamesh learns from Enkidu what it is like to feel complete, and the grief Gilgamesh experiences after Enkidu’s death humanizes him. The relationship makes Gilgamesh a better person and a better leader and thus allows him to fulfill his destiny as King of Uruk. [I HAVE RESPONDED IN 1 PAGE]

 
______________________________________________________
LATE HOMEWORK PASS: One Per Student

NAME:____________________________________
DATE:____________________________________
ASSIGNMENT:______________________________________________________________
REASON FOR LATE WORK:_____________________________________________________
PRINT OUT AND TURN IN WITH ASSIGNMENT
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