Tuesday 8/23: Intro to class and to one another.
Weds 8/24:
Peruse course website. Make sure you read "Syllabus" (especially "Policies"), "Discussion," "Extra Credit," "Journal writing," “Responses,” and "Writing Tips and Handouts." Bring in any questions you have.
Write a 350-400 word double-spaced typed informal letter (can be longer if you wish) to me that addresses the following questions (not necessarily in this order):
1. Please tell me about yourself as a student. What kind of learning environment works best for you? Are you, for example, a visual learner, the kind of person who works better if you see graphs and charts and writing on the board? Another example: are you the kind of student who prefers small group work or pair work?
2. What are your strengths as an English student?
3. In what areas would you like to improve as a student? The more specific you are, the more I can address these areas during the semester. For example, instead of saying you'd like to improve your writing, say, "teachers have told me I have good ideas but don't always support them well with quotations from the reading."
4. Would you call yourself more of a talker or a listener in class? If a talker, suggest what you could do—and how I can help you—to improve your listening skills. If a listener, suggest would you could do—and how I can help you—to improve your talking skills.
5. Finally, introduce yourself to me as a person--what is something something quirky or strange about you? This does not have to be something dazzling, like a big achievement--perhaps it's an unusual favorite food or an interesting pastime. Alternatively, you might describe a time in life you failed and what that meant to you.
Please give me a paper copy of this assignment. In general, you can hand work in electronically, but I like to have this particular assignment printed out. Thanks!
Fri 8/26:
Peruse the following list of fables (don't try to read all of them--just ten to fifteen of them is fine!): http://mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/index.htm
Pick one you find interesting to write about on Canvas. Name the fable and provide the link, then discuss why you find this particular fable interesting, strange, thought-provoking, typical, atypical, etc. Remember to respond to the two people ahead of you on the chain. 300 words min.
Since the Canvas site is not up yet, you can write your response on a word document that you'll post in class on Friday (assuming the site is up by then).
Mon 8/29:
Read and annotate"Little Red Riding Hood," "Mother Trudy," "Hand With the Knife" and accompanying commentary in reader or here.
If you use the PDF, you must annotate electronically.
Writing assignment: write a brief Aesopian-style fable (no more than 200 words) that teaches a value you feel is important to our time. Post on Canvas .
Try to copy the style and tone of the fables.
Okay to be silly--have fun with this assignment!
Weds 8/31--Read and annotate Plato (in reader).
Read pages 25-34.
Focus on pages 25-28.
NOTE: The assignment is relatively short but the text itself is very rich so please read carefully, linger on it, take notes.
Thurs 9/1--Response due on Plato.
To post on Canvas Discussions:
In your response, you should come up with three questions:
One question should be a close reading question
One question should be a discussion question
One should be a question about larger issues/personal relevance
Please post your questions in bold.
After you've posted your questions, you should answer one or more of someone else's questions on the response chain.
Please name that person
That person's question/s do not count towards your word count.
Word count: 350 words min
Mon 9/5--NO SCHOOL
Tues 9/6--In-class essay on Plato