Week One

Monday 8/27: Intro to class and to one another.

Tuesday 8/28:

  • 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 unique or special about you? This does not have to be something dazzling, like a big achievement--perhaps it's simply an unusual favorite food or an interesting pastime.

  • 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!

Thursday 8/30:

  • Peruse the following list of fables (don't try to read all of them--just ten or so is fine!): http://mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/index.htm

  • Pick one you find interesting to write about on the response site. 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.

Friday 8/31: Read the handouts on the two fables I'll give you in class.

      • Link to the online version of the handout is here.

      • Writing assignment: write a brief fable (no more than 200 words) that teaches a value you feel is important to our time. Post on the response site.