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English 240: Ancient Literature Course Policies Alfred J. Drake. Hours: Classroom, by Appt. | ajdrake@ajdrake.com Required Texts (at Chapman's Bookstore): King James Bible. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. ISBN: 0192835254. Bhagavad-Gita. Trans. Stephen Mitchell. New York: Three Rivers, 2000. ISBN: 0609810340. Aeschylus. The Complete Greek Tragedies: Aeschylus II. Eds. Richmond Lattimore and David Grene. 2nd Edition. Chicago: U of Chicago Press, 1992. ISBN: 0226307948. Euripides. The Complete Greek Tragedies: Euripides 1: Alcestis, Medea, Heracleidae, Hippolytus. Eds. Richmond Lattimore and David Grene. Chicago: U of Chicago Press, 1983. ISBN: 0226307808. Apuleius. The Golden Ass. Trans. Robert Graves. Noonday Press, 1998. ISBN: 0374505322. Augustine. Confessions. Trans. Henry Chadwick. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998 (reprint). ISBN: 0192833723. Chapman Links: Home Page | Wilkinson College | Communication Arts | English Dept. | Undergrad Catalog | Clarke Library Course Objectives: For this survey of ancient literature, I have chosen to focus on two sacred texts (the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita) along with several Greek and Roman works. 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 survey could introduce you to all there is to learn about ancient literature -- I suggest that as your college career unfolds, 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 Strategies: Lecture; class discussion, film version of Medea. There will be a strong web presence for the course, with as many materials as possible being made available online. Please examine whatever study questions time permits me to post as you read the assigned texts. They will help you get the most from class discussions, develop a paper, etc. Methods of Evaluation: 5-page paper. 50%. Follow MLA guidelines. Rough draft suggested, not required. Everyone who takes English or Humanities-related courses should have the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th. edition. Ed. Joseph Gibaldi. New York: MLA, 2003. In-class final exam. Open book and note, short response and full essay. 50%. Attendance. I encourage students to attend regularly, but attendance is not a percentage of the course grade. The course grade will be based on the paper and the in-class final exam. When students cannot attend, they are responsible for keeping up with what transpires in class sessions via digital audio links on our syllabus page. Those audio files will become available within a day or so after lectures take place. Make-up Exams, Paper Drafts: I encourage you to submit a rough draft and will offer advice on that basis, but because of the interterm's brevity, I won't require one. A paper becomes late when one doesn't get it to me in class on the due date, or as an email attachment by midnight on the day the paper is due. If you email your paper, I will respond with a verification that I've received it; it is your responsibility to call me at 714-434-1612 if you do not receive a timely verification message. There won't be time to offer a make-up for our final exam. 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. But since many problems in this area are caused by students not yet knowing how to deal with source materials, I suggest that everyone read my guides Proper Citation and Plagiphrasing before writing the first paper.
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