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August/September

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Course Requirements

Required Text: Jackson, et. al., eds. Humanities in the Ancient and Pre-Modern World

Students are required to bring all necessary books with them to class. There will be periodic book quizzes, during which anyone who doesn't have the assigned reading with them WILL lose a full point off the final average.  On-line versions are available for most readings, especially at the beginning of the semester, so economic hardship, while certainly a reality for many of us, does not constitute a valid excuse in this context.  Please come speak with me if you have any questions.

In addition to assigned readings and homework questions, which must be completed before coming to class, there will also be one (1) brief (800 word minimum) critical response paper, one (1) museum response paper (500 word minimum), in addition to one (1) documented research paper (2500 word minimum), using a minimum of eight documented sources, six of which must be secondary sources. You will also take part in a group presentation of a minimum thirty minutes to be given during the second part of the course.  There will also be a mid-term and a final examination.

All papers will follow MLA format: Typed, double-spaced, using parenthetical citations and a works cited page, including references made to the textbook.  The main point of the response papers is to allow you the opportunity to explore specific aspects of texts that you find interesting in terms of the literary terms we discuss:   metaphor, imagery, symbolism, setting, theme, etc. Basically, you will be exploring the ways in which use of such devices helps to develop the important themes of the works, etc., but the specific focus is largely up to you.  For the research paper ,  you will be required to use secondary sources to help support the argument you develop.

The museum response paper is a little more informal.  You will still follow proper MLA guidelines, but you will focus on a particular piece or exhibit that you saw, explaining in detail what it was that particularly interested you about it. Secondary source discussion is NOT necessary nor desired. Do Not Just Duplicate the Information Provided on the Little Plaque. That is Plagiarism and you WILL FAIL.  Just describe in your own words what YOU saw. A more detailed discussion of requirements can be found here .

• ** Plagiarism on any assignment will have dire consequences. **
• Please familiarize yourself with the policy  and let Dr. Mekler know if anything is unclear.

• Homework must be typed on computer paper—handwritten assignments will NOT be accepted.
• Late Homework Assignments will receive half credit, but opportunities for "makeup" or "extra" credit will also be explained.
• Homework WILL be considered late if it is handed in at the end of class.
• Papers are due by the end of business on the due date. If they are not completed before class, they may be turned in to Dr. Mekler in his office or in his mailbox in Holmes 202.
• Papers slipped under Dr. Mekler's door will be considered late.
• Late Papers will lose 2/3 of a letter grade for each class day.

Homework Q's

Each day, you may hand in written responses to either ALL or TEN (whichever is fewer) other discussion questions for the text assigned for THAT day only.

Every five (5) sets of questions will give you one (1) bonus point, up to a possible total of five (5) to be added to your final average.

Museum Paper	5%
Critical Response Paper	5%
Group Presentation	10%
Homework	10%
Class Participation/Attendance (See Policy )	10%
Research Paper	20%
Mid-Term Exam	20%
Final Examination	20%

Reading List (Subject to Subtle Revision):

Aug	24	Course Introduction  Discussion of Literary Terms "The Humanities Yesterday,"  xxi-xxii "Reading Poetry"  Sample Poem
	26	African Background, 3-4  Egyptian Poetry, 7-10 Egyptian Gods & Goddesses
	28	Egyptian Poetry, cont.
	31	Asian Background, 529-36 Gilgamesh, pts. 1-3, 577-90 (Tablets 1-7 on-line)
Sept	2	Gilgamesh, pts. 1-3, cont.
	4	Gilgamesh, pts. 4-7, 590-97 (Tablets 8-11 on-line)
	7	Labor Day:  No Class
	9	Gilgamesh, pts. 4-7, cont.
	11	African Poetry and Proverbs, 5 African Tales & Myths, 27-36
	14	African Tales & Myths, cont.
	16	European Background, 133-34 Narrative, 151-52  Genesis, 169-81
	17	Matriculation Convocation
	18	Genesis, cont.
	21	Job, 183-90
	23	European Background, 135-40 Ancient Poetry, 149-50 Homer & The Iliad, Bks. 1 & 18, pp. 251-82 Greco-Roman Gods and Goddesses  and Ch. 27 of Bulfinch from this Web Site (alt. links )
	25	The Iliad, cont.
	28	The Iliad, Bks. 22 & 24, 282-313 and Web Site (alt. links )
	30	The Iliad, concl.
Oct	2	Greek Theater, 191-92 Sophocles, Oedipus Rex,  199-236 and Ch. 16 of Bulfinch from this Web Site (alt. link )
	5	Sophocles, Oedipus Rex, cont.
	7	Aristotle, Poetics, 193-97
	9	Mid-Term Review
	12	Mid-Term Examination (See review )
	14	Mid-Term Examination (cont.) Last Day to Submit Assignments or Excuses for Absences/Lates for 1st Part of Class
	15	Performing Arts Convocation
	16	European Background, 141-42 Poetry 149-502 Sappho, 237-41 Group Presentation
	19	Catullus, 367-72 Group Presentation  Critical Response Paper Due (800 word min.)
	21	Catullus, cont.
	23	Chinese Poetry, 545-51 Group Presentation
	26	Japanese Poetry, 537-43 Group Presentation  Research Paper Topics Due (See Topics )
	28	Japanese Noh Drama  Ikkaku Sennin Group Presentation
	30	India, The Mahabharata, & Bhagavad-Gita, 553-64 Group Presentation
	31	Last Day to Drop Classes
Nov	2	Islamic Literature, 565-76 Group Presentation
	4	African Narrative, 53-55 The Sundiata, 57-76 (99-102)
	6	The Sundiata, cont. ** Last Day to Hand in or change Research Paper Topics ** ** If your topic has not been ACCEPTED, you can NOT submit a research paper.**
	9	The Sundiata, 77-99 (102-4)
	11	Virgil, Aeneid, Bk. 4, 373-94 & Bulfinch Chs. 28 & 31(alt. link) Group Presentation
	12	Founders Day Convocation
	13	European Background, 142-47 Medieval Literature, 395 Medieval Theater, 397 Everyman,  399-418 Group Presentation
	16	Everyman, cont.
	18	Dante, The Inferno, 419-45  Homework Questions Group Presentation
	20	Inferno, cont.
	23	Chaucer, “The Prologue,” 447-66 Group Presentation
	25	"Pardoner's Prologue"  (see pp. 193-95 of pdf) "Pardoner's Tale," 467-77 Group Presentation Research Paper Due
	27	Thanksgiving Break-No Class
	30	American Perspective, 505-8 Pre-Columbian Literature & Poetry, 509-14  Aztec Poetry, 515-21 Group Presentation
Dec	2	Popol Vuh  Group Presentation  Museum Paper Due (500 word min.)
	3	Bill of Rights/TransAfrica Day Convocation
	4	Final Review Last Day to Submit Assignments or Excuses for Absences/Lates for 2nd Part of Class
	8	Final Exam:  Place TBA, Date Subject to Change

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