Weeks 1-3: Introductions and Aristotle

Week 1:

Tu 8/21 (S): Introductions

W 8/22, Th 8/23 (L):

  • Peruse course website. Make sure you read "Syllabus" (especially "Policies"), "Discussion," “Reading Responses,” and "Writing Tips and Handouts." Bring in any questions you have.

    • Take careful note of the section on the syllabus about plagiarism. Make sure to bring to class any questions you have regarding this.

  • 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 when 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!

  • Please bring a print out of Nicomachean Ethics excerpts to class.

Fri 8/24 (S): Please do the following:

  • Print out, re-read, and mark up Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 8, pp. 1-10 (sections 8.1-11, but you can skip section 8.10): http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.8.viii.html

  • Please do the following brief close reading/writing assignment:

    • Invitation issued to Google Classroom for Block E. Link should lead you to the Google Classroom site. When there, please click on link for "Aristotle Close Reading" assignment.

    • Note: please let me know if you can't access the assignment or you don't have editing privileges (Google Classroom has a few kinks I'm working out)

Week 2:

M 8/27 (S): Re-read Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics Book 8-9, p. 10 (section 8.10) - p. 20 (section 9.4)

  • Go to Google Classroom and insert comments on "Aristotle Close Reading Round 2"

    • Note that this time you're only required to make four contributions.

W 8/29 (L): In-class essay #1 (Practice essay)

  • If you haven't already done so, please make four contributions (comments or responses) on Google Classroom to "Aristotle Close Reading Round 2"

    • Note that this was supposed to be homework for Monday, but--due to a computer glitch--no one was able to comment on the passages over the weekend.

  • Further homework assignment: click for Canvas Discussion (short!)

  • Optional: If you have time, I'd suggest taking one of the questions from the Canvas Discussion site and doing a practice in-class essay at home.

    • If you prefer, you can also freewrite on one or more questions at home.

      • Over the years, students have told me again and again that writing (not just reading and thinking) in advance of an in-class essay is the most effective preparation for it.

    • Optional: Click here for further tips on writing.

Th 8/30 OR Fri 8/31 (L): Please do the following:

Week 3

M 9/3: NO SCHOOL

Tu 9/4 (S): Homework on Aristotle to be posted here. (Link is now active.)

    • You have the option of writing either a practice essay or a personal one. You also can do this assignment either as a formal piece of writing or more as a freewrite.

      • If a freewrite, then please do a minimum of 750 words.

W 9/5 or Th 9/6 (L): In-class essay #2 on Aristotle

    • To prepare for the in-class essay, you have several options:

      • Read over the questions on the Canvas discussion site, pick a new one and freewrite on it, using ample quotations from the reading.

      • OR: pick a passage from the reading you find interesting and freewrite on it

      • OR: do a formal timed essay on one of the above

      • If you did an analytical essay last night, you can do a personal essay/freewrite tonight on a virtuous friendship, if you prefer (see last night's prompt for ideas).

    • Please post your homework here on Canvas

    • Word count minimum: 700 words

    • Sample analytical essay on Aristotle here: here

      • Please read this essay if you're feeling unsure how to write on Aristotle.

Fri 9/7 (S): No hwk, but in class, we'll read Pride and Prejudice, 1-20.