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World Literature

Assignments due Wednesday, September 16:

• Complete Deucalion and Pyrrha,
• Read half an hour a day recreationally,
• Begin a blog,
• Write five pages dealing with one or more of the following tasks:

1. Research Delphi
2. Describe Bob Dylan’s use of Ovid in songs on Modern Times
3. Reader’s Response question on page 14
4. Question 1 under Literary Focus, p.15
5. Writing Application, p.15
6. Film Treatment, p.16
7. Dramatic Speech, p.16
8. Cause-Effect Analysis, p.16
9. The story of your education

Assignments due Wednesday, September 23:

• Reread (or complete and reread) Gilgamesh,
• Read pp.120, 121, 122, and 125,
• Read at least half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write one dialectical journal (blog) entry,
• Write a two-page comparison/contrast paper on one of the following topics, using the Guided Writing lesson on p.59 for help. This paper is to be typed, and must be turned in with a copy of the brainstorm, rough draft, idea web or other prewriting work.

1. The Gilgamesh story compared to the Deucalion story or
2. Gilgamesh the hero compared to the hero of a “hero’s quest” film

• Write three pages dealing with one or more of the following tasks:

1. Create an annotated map of Gilgamesh’s travels
2. Create a checklist for evaluating political leaders, then write an evaluation of one particular leader today or to Gilgamesh
3. Write essays on one or both of the “Topic Choices” questions on p.121.
4. Story of a real-life contemporary quest
5. Assemble a list of research sources about the rediscovery of Gilgamesh
6. Write answers to questions 2, 4, and/or 6 on p.57.
7. Write answers to advertising evaluation questions on p.123.

Assignments due Wednesday, September 30:

• Memorize a poem to present in class,
• Re-read poems by Egyptian poets, Sappho, Petrarch, and Apollinaire, attending to text notes,
• Read at least a half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write one blog entry,
• Write five pages dealing with one or more of the following tasks:

1. The “Journal Writing” topic on p.291,
2. Thoughts about modern song lyrics about lost or unrequited love, or love overcoming obstacles,
3. A comparison of the ways in which the lovers in the Egyptian poems respond to separation from the beloved,
4. Question 2 in “Reading Strategy” on p.296,
5. The “Advice Column” on p.297,
6. The “Journal Writing” topic on p.917,
7. The “Reader’s Response” question on p.920,
8. Question 3 under “Critical Thinking” on p.921,
9. The three questions under “Reading for Success” on p.921,
10. Question 3 under “Literary Focus” on p.921,
11. A “Letter to Sappho,” and/or “Lyric Poem,” and/or “Analysis,” p.922,
12. Research on the history of the lyre,
13. The “Literary Interpretation” exercise on p.922,
14. A poster visualizing concretely one of the musical devices on p.925,
15. A sonnet,
16. “Thematic Focus” and/or “Reader’s Journal,” p.931,
17. Any of questions 3, 5, 6, 9, 10 and/or 12 under “Critical Thinking,” p.931.

Assignments due Wednesday, October 7:

• Read Aristotle’s “On Tragedy,” pp.1068–1069,
• Finish reading the first half of Antigone,
• Read at least half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write a blog entry,
• Write at least five pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Research the Athenian Dionysian festivals
2. Discuss which characters in Antigone show hubris and how it affects the plot
3. Write the “Journal Entry” on p.813
4. Write an answer to the question in the last paragraph under “Reading Strategy” on p.813
5. Create a family tree that shows relationships between Oedipus, Creon, Antigone, Ismene, the two dead brothers, and Locaste
6. Tell the story of Seven Against Thebes
7. Explain the irony in ll.21–26 on p.818, and other places in the play
8. Write answers to any of the questions at the bottom of p.1069
9. Show how Antigone exemplifies Aristotle’s elements of tragedy
10. Show how a current movie uses (or does not use) Aristotle’s elements of tragedy
11. Write an answer to the “Reader’s Response” question on p.826
12. Answer both questions 1 and 2 under “Critical Thinking” on p.826
13. Answer all three questions under “Reading Strategy” on p.827
14. Answer all three questions under “Literary Focus” on p.827
15. Write the summary described under “Writing Application” on p.827
16. Write the “Newspaper Article” described on p.827

Assignments due Wednesday, October 14:

• Read remainder of Antigone,
• Re-read pp.815–817,
• Read at least a half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write a blog entry,
• Write a two-page typed critical evaluation of one of the following, using the Writing Process Workshop on pp.908–910 as a guide:

1. Antigone, or
2. A novel you have read this year, or
3. A movie you have seen this year

• Write at least three pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Who is the “tragic hero” of Antigone?
2. What is the best part and what the worst part of this play, and why?
3. What could Creon have done that would have been fairer? Rewrite the ending of the play.
4. Would you prefer to have Antigone or Ismene as a friend? Why? As a relative?
5. Identify connections between the myths of Tantalus and Niobe and the story of Antigone.
6. Analyze the role of the chorus in Antigone. Did Sophocles create a likable “character”?
7. Why can’t Haimon forgive his father? Are you able to identify with Haimon, or not?
8. Describe circumstances in a job or school when you might disagree with authority, and discuss appropriate ways to deal with your disagreement.
9. Create a time line of the events in this play.
10. Respond to the questions under “Reader Response,” “Thematic Focus,” and/or “Journal Activity” on p.842.
11. Answer question 4 and/or question 5 under “Critical Thinking” on p.842.
12. Answer all three questions under “Literary Focus” on p.843.
13. Do the research project under “Cultural Connection” on p.843.
14. Write the “Final Speech” or “Editorial” on p.844.
15. Write the “Scene of Conflict” project on p.844.

Assignments due Wednesday, October 21:

• Read the remainder of Pro Caelio, using sticky notes to note points of confusion,
• Re-read at least three of the places in Pro Caelio that caused difficulty,
• Mark the section of the speech they liked the best,
• Read pp.700–702,
• Read at least a half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write a blog entry,
• Write a two-page, typed essay, following the guidelines on pp.700–702, on one of the following topics:

1. One of the four topics listed under “Topic Ideas” on p.701, or
2. A topic discussed in this week’s newspapers

• Write at least three pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. A one- or two-page fast, one-sitting version of the persuasive essay you plan to write
2. An argument against a position taken in an editorial or letter to the editor in this week’s newspapers
3. An essay response to one of the October, 2009 SAT prompts.

Assignments due Wednesday, Oct. 28

• Re-read at least five pages of Pro Caelio, marking points of confusion and points to compare,
• Read pp.257–259, and decide if you would like to work on these skill activities,
• Read at least a half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write a blog entry,
• Rewrite one of the formal essays you have received back,
• Write at least four pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. List some great catastrophes of history or recent years, and discuss things that happened or might have happened to people in the aftermath,
2. Write a newspaper account of a catastrophe,
3. Describe what you would do over a period of several days if a major flood or fire disrupted your life,
4. Describe the layout of the city of Rome at the time of Nero, including natural features like the seven hills and human constructions like the Roman Forum,
5. Discuss this question: Is it a historian’s responsibility to make moral judgments about the words and deeds of historical figures, or just to report what happened?
6. Evaluate the measures taken by Nero against future fires,
7. Respond to “Reader’s Response” and/or “Thematic Focus” on p.251,
8. Answer questions 1, 2 and/or 6 under “Critical Thinking” on p.251,
9. Answer question 2 under “Reading Strategy” on p.252,
10. Write an “Annal” of your week (p.253),
11. Discuss the evidence for and against the idea that Nero was responsible for the fire,
12. Construct the “Illustrated Timeline” described on p.253,
13. Write an “Eyewitness Account” (p.253),
14. Answer the four questions on p.257,
15. Write a literary interpretation, following the guidelines on p.258,
16. Write the essay described on p.259.

Assignments due Wednesday, November 4

• Re-read Tacitus and Suetonius passages, noting differences in fact and emphasis,
• Re-read Tacitus, looking for evidence for the hypothesis that Nero was actually a good emperor who was concerned about the common people,
• Read at least a half an hour a day recreationally,
• Write a blog entry,
• Write at least five pages on one or more of the topics in last week’s assignment list.

Assignments due Wednesday, November 18

Note that this is really two weeks of school, even though we have a day off on 11/11. Therefore, the assignment list reflects work for almost two full weeks.

• Read a speech given by Barak Obama: http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=514 . As you read, do the following tasks, similar to those we did in class with the speech by Empress Theodora:

1. List some characteristics of the speaker, impressions you gather from his words. Use a quote from the speech to justify each impression.
2. Define a thesis statement about the person speaking, based only on what you see in the speech. Remember, the thesis statement we defined in class about Empress T. was something like, “As evidenced by Empress Theodora’s words, women in her time had some political rights.” Your thesis statement could be about any aspect of Obama’s character or position in society, but must be built on evidence from the speech.
3. Using statement-support-so what structure, write an essay about two pages long defending the thesis, using only evidence from the speech.

• Read the Rumi poems. Mark those that intrigue you and go back and re-read those poems several times.
• Read at least a half an hour a day recreationally.
• Read pp.504–507 in your textbook.
• Write a blog entry.
• Write a two-page, typed narrative essay, following the guidelines on pp.504–506 and doing one of the following, with rich descriptive detail:

1. Tell a true story of something that happened to you, OR
2. Tell a historical story, OR
3. Tell a fictional story.

• Write three pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Respond to “Reader’s Response” and/or “Thematic Focus” on p.462,
2. Discuss question 3 under “Critical Thinking,” p.462,
3. Make an annotated map of Justinian’s empire,
4. Discuss question 4 under “Reading Strategy,” p.463,
5. Make a poster of your favorite of Rumi’s poems,
6. Answer questions 1 and 2 on p.507.

Assignments due Wednesday, November 25:

• Read (again or for the first time) excerpt from Song of Roland (pp.946–957),
• Read the material about Vocabulary and Grammar Skills on p.958,
• Read (again or for the first time) excerpt from Inferno (pp.28–43),
• Read from a newspaper at least three of the following: a front-page story; an editorial; a local news story; a sports article; a business article; a feature article about some aspect of the arts,
• Read pp.993 and 995,
• Write a dialectical journal entry,
• Write at least five pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Prepare a comic-book of part of the Song of Roland,
2. Respond to the “Journal Writing” topic on p.947,
3. Draw an illustration of one scene in the epic,
4. Write a letter or first-person account from Ganelon’s point of view,
5. Answer one or more of “Reader’s Response,” “Thematic Focus,” or “Reader’s Journal” from page 957,
6. Answer one or more of questions 2, 3 and 4 under “Critical Thinking” on p.958,
7. Write about one or more of the topics listed under “Writing” and “Guided Writing Lesson” on p.959,
8. Consult www.wisegeek.com/what-is-approriate-workplace-body-language.htm and write a summary of what you learned,
9. Write about the person (living, historical or fictional) you would choose to lead you on a journey like Dante’s,
10. Choose a section of Dante’s Inferno and identify the music you would use as background to a film – describe the music and discuss why it would be appropriate,
11. Compare Dante’s journey to that of Eustace, Jill and Puddleglum in The Silver Chair,
12. Write about one or more topics listed on p.42 under Travel Feature, response to Criticism, or Critique of Selfishness,
13. Draw the sketch described on p.42 under Artistic Rendering,
14. Answer question #2 at the bottom of page 43.

Assignments due Wednesday, December 2:

• Read or re-read pp.330–344 and pp.980–989
• Read 30 minutes per day for recreation
• Write a dialectical journal entry
• After you have read pp.342–344, revise something you have written earlier in the term (at least two pages) to turn in.
• Write at least four pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Create an annotated timeline for China and Japan.
2. After reading p.335, create a cluster diagram for the ingredients of a successful life, and then based on your diagram, write a recipe.
3. Answer the last two questions under Critical Thinking on p.337.
4. Answer any or all of the questions on p.339.
5. Answer questions 1 and/or 3 under Writing on p.341.
6. Answer any of questions 1, 3 and/or 5 under Critical Thinking on p.987.
7. Answer any of the questions under Reading Strategy or Literary Forms on p.988.
8. Write at least three haiku. You may find some help at www.toyomasu.com/haiku/ .

Assignments due Wednesday, January 6

• Read p.998 and pp.1025–1035.
• Select the geographical place for your research paper.
• Read at least a half hour each day for recreation.
• Write at least one dialectical journal entry.
• Write at least five pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Write a description of a truly global hero, for a united Earth.
2. Write a page of notes for an epic about a real young person who has heroic qualities.
3. Write a myth explaining the origin of a natural wonder, such as the Grand Canyon or the Tamolitch Pool on the McKenzie River (http://www.pbase.com/greglief/tamolitch_pool ).
4. Compare Rama to a contemporary superhero.
5. Answer the questions under Thematic Focus or Reader’s Response on p.1033.
6. Answer questions 4, 5 and 6 under Critical Thingking or the questions under Literary Focus on p.1034.
7. Create the painting described under Researching and Representing on p.1035.
8. Write either the Personal Narrative or the Opening Argument described on p.1035.

Assignments due Wednesday, January 13

• Read pp.514 and 544–570.
• Spend 30 minutes reviewing any material that interests you on this website: http://www.pbs.org/wonders/index.html .
• Find at least four resources for your research paper.
• Read at least a half an hour a day for recreation.
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Write at least four pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Write a character sketch describing Jonathan Iwegbu from Chinua Achebe’s story.
2. As you read Chinua Achebe’s story, note each time Jonathan says, “Nothing puzzles God,” and write your response to that occurrence.
3. Write a dialogue between a you and a coworker in a real or imagined workplace; the coworker complains about the wages, the work, the uniforms or other working conditions, and you offer a more positive way to think about each problem.
4. Summarize and comment on the conversation Jonathan has with the thieves in Chinua Achebe’s story.
5. Listen to a recording of Biko. You can find several versions performed by author Peter Gabriel on You Tube, or this is a different version I like: http://www.videoplayer.hu/videos/play/210685 . Then answer the questions under Connections to Today’s World on p. 557, especially question 3.
6. Answer question 5 under Critical Thinking on p.558.
7. Create an annotated map of Nigeria or another country in Africa, following instructions under Guided Writing Lesson on p.559.
8. Imagine you are the winner of a large sum of money in a lottery. Write a story that shows your reaction and the things that happen in the following days.
9. Answer question 5 and/or 6 under Critical Thinking on p.568.
10. Write the “Retelling” activity under Writing on p.570.
11. Write an editorial about lotteries, following the guidelines in the Guided Writing Lesson on p.570.

Assignments due Wednesday, January 20:

At home, students will:

• Read pp.345, 347 and 600–602.
• Read some of the Chaucer handout.
• Read at least a half an hour a day for recreation.
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Work through at least two lessons in “Teach Yourself Chaucer” at http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/cantales.html .
• Make progress on your research paper.
• at least three pages on one of the following tasks:

1. Do the project on p.345 and answer the four questions on that page.
2. Write the essay described on pp.600–602.
3. Write a modern language version of part of the Chaucer you read.
4. Make a list of characters who could make a good travel tale like the Canterbury stories; write brief descriptions of several of the characters.

Assignments due Wednesday, January 27:

• Read (to the point of full comprehension) at least eight poems by John Donne at http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/ . Recommended poems include: The Good-Morrow, The Sun Rising, The Canonization, The Triple Fool, Lovers’ Infiniteness, Twickenham Gardens, A Valediction of Weeping, The Broken Heart, The Computation
• Read pp.429–431.
• Make progress on your research paper. This week, write a rough draft of one section.
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Write at least three pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Write your response to one of the Donne poems.
2. Write purposes for reading the kinds of texts listed on p.429 under Apply the Strategies.
3. Write dialogues of the conversations you imagine you would have in one or more of the situations on p.430 under Apply the Strategies.
4. Ask two adults about ways that teamwork helps in their work; write a report of what you learn.

Assignments due Wednesday, February 3:

• Read pp.999–1009 and 1050–1052.
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Make progress on your research paper: write the second story.
• You will need to cite the sources for your paper in MLA format, so review this format at http://www.liu.edu/CWIS/CWP/library/workshop/citmla.htm .
• Write at least four pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Write the description under “Journal Writing” on p.1001.
2. Write the compare/contrast chart under Reading Strategy on p.1001.
3. Compare and contrast the characters of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
4. Answer the “Thematic Focus” question on p.1007.
5. Answer the “Evaluate” question on p.1008.
6. Answer all three of the “Reading Strategy” questions on p.1008.
7. Answer all three of the “Literary Focus” questions on p.1008.
8. Set Don Quixote’s story in modern America as suggested on p.1009.
9. Watch clips from “Man of La Mancha” on You Tube?, and compare to Don Quixote.
10. Draw the cartoon described under “Researching and Representing,” p.1009.
11. Create the “Visual Essay” described on p.1009.
12. Create a comic hero, following directions under “Guided Writing Lesson,” p.1009.

Assignments due Wednesday, February 10:

• Choose and memorize an 8–10 line passage of Hamlet
• Read pp.603–605.
• Read the story “Shakespeare in the Bush” at http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/editors_pick/1966_08-09_pick.html .
• Spend at least 30 minutes exploring this site: http://shea.mit.edu/ramparts/ .
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Make progress on research paper: write the third story.
• Write three pages on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Any of the five projects listed on p.604.
2. Any topic listed on http://records.viu.ca/~mcneil/m2ess7.htm .
3. A description of how you would stage one of the scenes in Hamlet.

Assignments due Wednesday, February 24:

• Complete memorization begun last week.
• Review complete plot of Hamlet with http://www.stickfigurehamlet.com/act1/scene2/page01.html .
• Take the Hamlet quizzes at http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/quiz/hamquizc.htm .
• Read pp.803–805.
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Make progress on your research paper: Write a thesis statement for the paper as a whole. Write at least three pages of second draft (first draft was the rough write of the three stories).

Do one of the three projects under “Apply the Strategies” on p.804.

Assignments due Wednesday, April 7:

• Memorize speech (from a play, about 8–10 lines) to present April 7.
• Write a dialectical journal entry.
• Write five pages on oneor more of the following assignments:

1. A more detailed description of the stage set for A Doll’s House, as you see it in your mind.
2. A summary of Ibsen’s life and work (it is fine to use Wikipedia for this).
3. An interview with an older woman about how life has changed for women in her lifetime.
4. A report on the status of women in another country today.
5. Answers to the Critical Thinking questions on page 870.

Assignments due Wednesday, April 28:

• Speech: demonstration of a skill or method for doing something
• Dialectical journal
• Read any two short stories in your textbook, and write a page about one of them.
• Look at the assignment pages for Doll’s House, and write three pages in response to one or more of those tasks.
• Continue work on your paper revision.

Assignments due Wednesday, May 5:

• Revision of your paper
• Dialectical journal
• Read all of the Turning Points chapter in your textbook.
• Write three pages on any topics of your choice drawn from the assignments or questions in the Turning Points chapter.

Assignments due Wednesday, May 12:

• Prepare to tell a 3-to-5-minute story (funny, suspenseful, or moving; fictional, historical or personal)
• Dialectical journal
• Spend an hour exploring Holocaust Literature (including the accounts of survivors like Elie Wiesel). One source: http://fcit.usf.edu/HOLOCAUST/ARTS/lit.htm
• Read pp.187–216
• Write three pages on any of the assignments in this section of your book

Assignments due Wednesday, May 19:

• On May 26, you will present a short story or informational speech or persuasive speech supported with a Powerpoint (or similar presentation software) slide set; start preparing now.
• Dialectical journal
• Read pp.140–169
• Write three pages on any of the assignments in this section of your book
• Complete rhetorical device poster

Assignments due Wednesday, May 26:

• Finish your presentation for class
• Dialectical journal
• Begin hero story due June 2
• Read pp.756–777
• Write two pages on any of the assignments in this section of your book

Assignments due Wednesday, June 2:

• Powerpoint presentation, if you did not do it on May 26
• 3 to 5 page hero story
• This is your last week with your book. Spend at least three hours reading things in it that you have not read yet.
• Bring your book to class.