Week 8 Syllabus: February 26
THE HERO ARRIVES HOME, AT ITHACA. In an almost textbook example of the symbolic transformation of self, death and rebirth, Odysseus returns in disguise, literally changed into an old, homeless beggar. No longer is he the boastful, arrogant general of the Trojan War. Tempered by suffering, Odysseus has learned to keep his cards close to his chest, will not reveal his true self until the suitors doom is sealed. Pay careful attention to the helpers on his hero journey: Telemachus, who is on a journey of his own; Penelope, who provides a nobler role-model for the returned king; Eumaeus and Philoetius, the swineherd and cowherd respectively, who supply the king and prince with information and weapons.
MONDAY, February 26
Reading aloud from three student answers to the “Odysseus: faceted or flawed?” essay question.
We will discuss using the dual “What has the writer done well? What might the writer improve?” method, wherein we critically but constructively analyze three student responses.
HW: Revise and re-post a new draft of this assignment to Canvas. I will begin grading these on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY, February 28
Reading aloud from three student answers to the “Odysseus: faceted or flawed?” essay question.
We will discuss using the dual “What has the writer done well? What might the writer improve?” method, wherein we critically but constructively analyze three student responses.
HW: Revise and re-post a new draft of this assignment to Canvas. I will begin grading these on Thursday.
THURSDAY, February 29
Starting with 20 minutes of silent reading in Homer’s Odyssey. This is a chance for students to either catch up, or get ahead on their reading.
Remember, use your bookmarks and the reader’s questions handout to pre-read and post-check your comprehension. Your annotations will be worth twice as much for the Odyssey than Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
We will watch a second (and final) Star Trek episode. In “Who Mourns for Adonis?” Captain Kirk will meet and murder the Greek god Apollo, Athena’s brother.
Reading book 18 together in class. A scholar will connect their iPad to the Apple TV and project/play the audio.
HW: Read book 18 and 19 for class on Monday.