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:
Print out, re-read, and mark up Nicomachean Ethics, Book 9, pp. 20-end (section 9.5-9.12): http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.9.ix.html
No extra assignment for tonight.
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.