Weeks 1, 2, and 3: Fables and Philosophy

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