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English 240: Ancient Literature Course Policies for Fall 2004 Al Drake | Cyber Cafe M/W 10-11 | ajdrake@ajdrake.com Required Texts available at the school Bookstore: Apuleius. The Golden Ass. Trans. Robert Graves. Noonday Press, 1998. ISBN 0374505322. Bhagavad-Gita. Trans. Stephen Mitchell. New York: Three Rivers, 2000. ISBN 0609810340. Boethius. The Consolation of Philosophy. Trans. Victor Watts. New York: Penguin, 2000. ISBN 0140447806. Confucius. The Analects. Trans. D. C. Lau. New York: Penguin, 1998. ISBN 0140443487. Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1990. ISBN 0140275363. Livy. The Early History of Rome. Trans. Aubrey de Selincourt. New York: Penguin, 2002. ISBN 0140448098. Longus. Daphnis and Chloe. Trans. Paul Turner. New York: Penguin, 1989. ISBN 0140440593. Ovid. The Love Poems. Trans. A. D. Melville. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. ISBN 0192836331. Plato. Gorgias. Trans. Robin Waterfield. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. ISBN 0192836307. Plautus. Four Comedies. Trans. Erich Segal. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. ISBN 0192838962. Sappho. Poems. Trans. Mary Barnard. UC Press, 1999. ISBN 0520223128. Sophocles. Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1984. ISBN 0140444254. Tibetan Book of the Dead. Trans. Robert Thurman. New York: Bantam, 1993. ISBN 0553370901. Course Particulars. English 240, Course Code ____. MWF 09:00-09:50, Beckman 209. Office hours: M/W 9:50-10:50 Cyber Cafe. Course Objectives. E240, a survey of ancient literature, could be structured many ways. I have chosen to focus on two sacred texts (the Bhagavad Gita and The Book of the Dead) along with a variety of Greek and Roman works. We shall read the assigned texts as carefully as possible given the constraints of a single-semester. Lectures will provide an understanding of the works' historical context, structures, and themes, while classroom discussion will center on attention to key points in the texts. Where appropriate, we shall explore the links we find among our various readings. The purpose of a survey is to introduce periods, genres, and texts in a way that encourages you to begin discovering what most interests you. My aim is not to offer definitive interpretations; rather, it is to communicate what I find valuable in the readings and challenge you to do the same. No one survey could introduce you to all there is to learn about ancient literature -- I suggest that as time permits, you study the literature, history, philosophies, and religions of as many different cultures as you can. Finally, please read the following guide: How to Get the Most from College. Major Study Units. We will study the sacred texts first, and then move on through the Greek and, finally, the Roman works on our syllabus. Classroom Activities. Lecture, class discussion, spotlight responses. I encourage participation. My tasks are to lecture well, to listen, to ask good questions, and to help you find out more about the periods and authors we study. Your task is to develop your own ideas. In humanities study, there are few worthwhile "facts"; the emphasis is on insight and interpretation. Methods of Evaluation: 2 5-Page Papers Requirement. 15% and 30% of course grade. Final drafts due Friday of Week 7 (Oct. 15) and on day of final exam (TBD). See advance draft comments. Follow recent MLA guidelines and include a works cited page. Journal Requirement. 35% of course grade. Consists of responses to a choice of study questions for each author. Due in class Monday of Weeks 4, 8, 12, and final exam day. (Or you may email them by the end of those evenings.) Final Exam Requirement. 30% of course grade. The exam will consist partly of substantive, prominently mentioned passages to identify, some short questions requiring a sentence or two in response, and one essay. Books and notes are not allowed for the first part, but are allowed for the short paragraphs and the essay. Exam date is Monday, Dec. 13th., 1:30-4:00. Attendance. I encourage students to attend regularly, but attendance is not a percentage of the course grade. Students are responsible for keeping up with missed sessions via digital audio files on the syllabus page. Rough Drafts. Not required, but it would be a good idea to submit a rough draft or at least a thesis paragraph or description of your topic so I can offer suggestions on how to improve the paper's focus and effectiveness. Whether you submit a draft or not, please read the Advance Rough Draft Comments for Everyone. I have also written detailed guides to help you with style and grammar: Sample Essay in MS Word | Grammar Guide | Deductive Essays | Citation | Analysis | Editing | Plagiphrasing | Bad English | Writing Links. Plagiarism. Cheating on papers and tests will result in an "F" for the course and more -- in severe or repeated cases, it can lead to suspension or even expulsion. Many problems in this area are caused by students not knowing how to deal with sources, please read Proper Citation and Plagiphrasing before writing the first paper. Source Work. While it is acceptable to consult legitimate sources of information -- scholarly articles and books -- the most important thing is to study the assigned texts patiently. Relying on commercial notes may well hinder this process.
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