Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Due: Thursday, November 20th
1. Read: Mahabharata (122-) and the Ramayana (132-) for class on Thursday. Annotate thoroughly.. apply elements of epic literature, depth of meaning, literary techniques, historical context... bring your techniques of analysis together.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Due: Tuesday, November 18th
1. Pick 5 lines from both the Creation Hymn and the Burial Hymn and do three levels of interpretation for each line- plot, figurative, thematic.
2. Considering the literary terms, historical context, ten general statements, annotations, specific line interpretations, write 4 separate thesis statements that are arguable and show analysis of the text.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Due: Monday, November 17th
Read the two hymns of the Rig Veda. Annotate for the ten statements from India reading, literary conventions, parallels, comparisons/differences with Mesopotamia reading.. Etc.. Plot, figurative, thematic levels.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Due: Friday, November 14th
1. Reviewing the Ancient India notes and reading, you will need to come up with ten general statements that you feel address the meaning and purpose of the information.. Then you will need to gather direct evidence after you have made this statement. This will look like this:
The literature from this time period was utilized by the people as a way to teach social, political, and historical guidelines.
- "India's great national epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, describe political struggles and also explain important social and religious concepts" (104).
- ". . . Kautila, wrote a 'how-to' handbook for emperors, called the Arthasastra" (105).
- "Around the first century B.C., the Laws of Manu set down a detailed code of conduct for Hindus" (107).
The literature from this time period was utilized by the people as a way to teach social, political, and historical guidelines.
- "India's great national epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, describe political struggles and also explain important social and religious concepts" (104).
- ". . . Kautila, wrote a 'how-to' handbook for emperors, called the Arthasastra" (105).
- "Around the first century B.C., the Laws of Manu set down a detailed code of conduct for Hindus" (107).
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Class today: November 11th
For your Ancient Literature book project, your group will need to collaboratively accomplish the following things:
1. Collaboratively write an introduction for your entire book (all group member chapters).
2. Construct a table of contents with titles of chapters, authors, and page numbers.
3. A cover for your book with an MLA style title... with contributors names.
4. A works cited page in accurate MLA format.
This is NOT a divide and conquer project. You need to work together on each component.
1. Collaboratively write an introduction for your entire book (all group member chapters).
2. Construct a table of contents with titles of chapters, authors, and page numbers.
3. A cover for your book with an MLA style title... with contributors names.
4. A works cited page in accurate MLA format.
This is NOT a divide and conquer project. You need to work together on each component.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Class: Thursday and Friday
1. Quiz over Mesopotamian history, ancient literature devices and techniques, and Gilgamesh on Friday.
2. Individual/group book project..
Your group is collaborating to write a book on Ancient Literature and its Literary Techniques.
The techniques are: Archetype, Epic, Epic Hero, Historical Context, Oral Tradition, and Myth. Each group member will choose a technique that they will be the "expert" on in this book.
The individual contributor will need to write a section for each of the following components:
1. Explain the concept (this will go beyond just the definition. How would you teach it to a friend?)
2. General examples of the concept (what are some general, more modern, relative ways that a reader can understand this concept?)
3. Introduction to The Epic of Gilgamesh. This can be a plot introduction, historical introduction, review, character review, cultural importance, all of the above.. what does the reader need to know to move forward?
4. Examples of how your literary/cultural concept is seen in Gilgamesh. Depending on your concept.. this can be listed.. this may need descriptive explanation... however you format this, it needs to be specific (meaning textual evidence and citation).
5. A small literary analysis essay (just the body... start off with your thesis for this writing sample). You need to ask yourself a question that forces you to assess or evaluate the usage of that technique in Gilgamesh.. The answer to your question is your thesis.. Make sure you are not describing the technique and its usage (that is #4 above).. .This is your opinion of its value or its impact.. This will be about a page to a page and 1/2.
6. List of 6 higher level Blooms questions that after a reader has finished your "chapter" they would be inspired to think more comprehensively about what they have read and learned. No need for answers.
1-4 will have different varying lengths and formats.. Think of a book.. How can you format so it is easily attainable for your reader. Think of headings.. Think of how you explain. Think of amount of explanation.
Have 1-6 typed up and bring it to class with you on Tuesday (November 11th).
2. Individual/group book project..
Your group is collaborating to write a book on Ancient Literature and its Literary Techniques.
The techniques are: Archetype, Epic, Epic Hero, Historical Context, Oral Tradition, and Myth. Each group member will choose a technique that they will be the "expert" on in this book.
The individual contributor will need to write a section for each of the following components:
1. Explain the concept (this will go beyond just the definition. How would you teach it to a friend?)
2. General examples of the concept (what are some general, more modern, relative ways that a reader can understand this concept?)
3. Introduction to The Epic of Gilgamesh. This can be a plot introduction, historical introduction, review, character review, cultural importance, all of the above.. what does the reader need to know to move forward?
4. Examples of how your literary/cultural concept is seen in Gilgamesh. Depending on your concept.. this can be listed.. this may need descriptive explanation... however you format this, it needs to be specific (meaning textual evidence and citation).
5. A small literary analysis essay (just the body... start off with your thesis for this writing sample). You need to ask yourself a question that forces you to assess or evaluate the usage of that technique in Gilgamesh.. The answer to your question is your thesis.. Make sure you are not describing the technique and its usage (that is #4 above).. .This is your opinion of its value or its impact.. This will be about a page to a page and 1/2.
6. List of 6 higher level Blooms questions that after a reader has finished your "chapter" they would be inspired to think more comprehensively about what they have read and learned. No need for answers.
1-4 will have different varying lengths and formats.. Think of a book.. How can you format so it is easily attainable for your reader. Think of headings.. Think of how you explain. Think of amount of explanation.
Have 1-6 typed up and bring it to class with you on Tuesday (November 11th).
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Class: Monday, November 2nd
The Myth
* Myth is a constant among all human being in all times. The pattern stories, even details contained in myth are found everywhere and among every one. This is because myth is a shared heritage of ancestral memories, related consciously from generation to generation.
1. Myth may even be part of the structure of our unconscious mind, possibly encoded in our genes. eg. "the Oedipus complex" and "the Electra complex"
2. Myth is a telling of events that happened before written history, and of a sense of what is to come. 3. Myth is the thread that holds past, present, and future together.
4. Myth is a unique use of language that describes the realities beyond our five senses. It fills the gaps between the images of the unconscious and the language of conscious logic.
5. Myth is the glue that holds societies together; it is the basis of identity for communities, tribes, and nations. (Hero worship and gender, social, national identity)
6. Myth is an essential ingredient in all codes of moral conduct. The rules for living have always derived their legitimacy from their origins in myth and religion.
7. Myth is a pattern of beliefs that give meaning to life. Myth enables individuals and societies to adapt to their respective environments with identity and value. ( Joseph Campbell--the power of myth)
Myths tell us about (1) our relationships with each other, (2) our relations with the gods or god (the cosmos), and (3) our relationship to the natural world and all species that inhabit it.
Class today:
1. Read over and add the above information about myths in your notes.
2. In your notes, provide examples of how The Epic of Gilgamesh functions as a myth (meaning.. where do you see evidence of these characteristics in the section of Gilgamesh we read).
3. Answer the following questions and be ready to turn this response into me tomorrow...
How do myths, archetypes, epics, and the oral tradition associate with one another?How do they diverge? Closely examine the characteristics of each major concept and look for common ground in their make up. How do they differ?
AND
How does HISTORICAL CONTEXT tie into these literary/cultural concepts?
This is a thinking exercise. You have been presented with a lot of new information and technical components that help you understand these concepts. This exercise is designed for you to start looking at the big picture and how these concepts interact with one another. Do your best.
* Myth is a constant among all human being in all times. The pattern stories, even details contained in myth are found everywhere and among every one. This is because myth is a shared heritage of ancestral memories, related consciously from generation to generation.
1. Myth may even be part of the structure of our unconscious mind, possibly encoded in our genes. eg. "the Oedipus complex" and "the Electra complex"
2. Myth is a telling of events that happened before written history, and of a sense of what is to come. 3. Myth is the thread that holds past, present, and future together.
4. Myth is a unique use of language that describes the realities beyond our five senses. It fills the gaps between the images of the unconscious and the language of conscious logic.
5. Myth is the glue that holds societies together; it is the basis of identity for communities, tribes, and nations. (Hero worship and gender, social, national identity)
6. Myth is an essential ingredient in all codes of moral conduct. The rules for living have always derived their legitimacy from their origins in myth and religion.
7. Myth is a pattern of beliefs that give meaning to life. Myth enables individuals and societies to adapt to their respective environments with identity and value. ( Joseph Campbell--the power of myth)
Myths tell us about (1) our relationships with each other, (2) our relations with the gods or god (the cosmos), and (3) our relationship to the natural world and all species that inhabit it.
Class today:
1. Read over and add the above information about myths in your notes.
2. In your notes, provide examples of how The Epic of Gilgamesh functions as a myth (meaning.. where do you see evidence of these characteristics in the section of Gilgamesh we read).
3. Answer the following questions and be ready to turn this response into me tomorrow...
How do myths, archetypes, epics, and the oral tradition associate with one another?How do they diverge? Closely examine the characteristics of each major concept and look for common ground in their make up. How do they differ?
AND
How does HISTORICAL CONTEXT tie into these literary/cultural concepts?
This is a thinking exercise. You have been presented with a lot of new information and technical components that help you understand these concepts. This exercise is designed for you to start looking at the big picture and how these concepts interact with one another. Do your best.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)