Week 1 Syllabus: March 19
QUARTER GRADES ARE DUE ON WEDNESDAY at 9:00 am. I am committed to collecting and grading annotations AFTER break, so that if you are behind, you may use break to get caught-up with these notes. However, I do want to briefly check in to see that everyone is in good standing with their notes, to avoid any “misunderstandings.” Also when we return from break, everyone will write a paper on Greek mythology. More on that after break.
MONDAY, March 18
Finishing the Armand Assanti version of the film.
While watching, I will do a spot check on everyone’s annotations. If you don’t have your book in class today, please make sure you have your copy with you in class on Wednesday.
HW: Finish your annotations. Make sure they are A-quality for when you get back from break.
WEDNESDAY, March 20
After watching the reunion of Penelope and Odysseus—which, I feel, the screenwriters butcher, doing a serious disservice to Penelope and homophrysene—we will turn to an essay about the ancient Greeks.
Examining a chapter from Why Homer Matters, looking for particularly well-crafted sentences and carefully chosen words. What does this writer do to connect to the connect to his readers?
HW: No, really, double check your annotations in Homer’s Odyssey.
Thursday, March 21
Examining a modern re-telling of Odysseus’ journey and his reunion with Penelope, in the form of Chuck No-land in the film Castaway. Were Odysseus a 21st century hero, how would his tale unfold?
With your partner, read through the sentences that we selected yesterday. Keep notes of your own on the handout. What is this writer doing to improve his style? Which types of words does he use to create emphasis and to connect with his readers?
HW: Enjoy break. I will collect and grade annotations when you return in April.