Archives for February 1, 2017

Due 2/2 (2/3 for 10B): Essay Prep

February 1, 2017 By

Please return 1984 (without post its) if you do not need it for the essay.

1. 2-3 TYPED Pages of Essay Prep–You know that you have to decide between 1984 and SH5 for your next essay. As you prep, keep in mind that the essay has a 4 page requirement.

If 1984 is your subject, then you should do the following for it rather than SH5. Thesis/Essay Pre-writing (As always, I expect to see a great deal of thought put into this first formal stage of the process.  In preparation for your essay, you must fill in the blank here:

In my SH5 essay I will explore Vonnegut’s treatment of ___________. 

Fill in the blank with an element(s) that you would like to explore. Many of you will choose to explore his treatment of a specific theme, and that is fine, but know that you are not limited to theme here. Then, develop the idea.

Example:

In my SH5 essay I will explore Vonnegut’s treatment of the psychology of war.

Ultimately, my argument/so what will be born out of my close study of HOW V develops this idea (psychology of war) and WHY. Elements/Devices relevant to this treatment:

  • The Money Tree
  • Campbell’s monograph
  • Tralfamadorians as an allegory for religion (this one can be broken down quite a bit)
  • Billy as an antihero

Then, type out at least SIX pieces of evidence critical to illustrating/illuminating your discussion/argument. After analyzing each piece of evidence, answer the following question:  Why did you choose this evidence? This is the first step of the process! The more thought and effort you put into this, the easier the entire process will be.

Due 2/6: Existentialism is a Humanism

February 1, 2017 By

Everyone should be registered for the website! Shutting registration down at 4pm! So many creepy folks registered!

1.  Be prepared to discuss the Barrett reading tomorrow. Read and annotate William Barrett’s The Encounter with Nothingness (Second reading in the packet). Be sure to read all three parts (the third part being Science and Finitude). Barrett’s reading will give us just a nugget of context before we move ahead. Remember, you must annotate all readings for this class! Failure to do so will result in a zero!  You will learn how to provide some focus to your annotations.  Ultimately, focused annotating prepares you for your reading responses, formal essays, and class discussions.  To annotate is to supply with critical or explanatory notes:

  • identifying lines that resonate with you, confuse you, or make you want to know more
  • asking questions of general thematic/philosophical value
  • tracking the development of a theme that may connect to one or more of the philosophical readings or other fiction.

2. (Due 2/6) Existentialism is a Humanism–Jean Paul Sartre is often the first name to come to mind when one considers Existentialism. His brand of atheistic existentialism so dominates the existential landscape that one forgets that the “first existentialist” Kierkegaard was indeed a theist. Nevertheless, Sartre’s essay most clearly defines the existential mindset. It becomes a fundamental piece of this course’s foundation.   Additionally, his essay establishes some of the tenets of existentialism that are universally applicable.  Read and ANNOTATE! Be sure you are able to discuss the four reproaches of existentialism and his defense against those reproaches.

Forum posting on the way!

Due 2/2: Sidney and Shakespeare

February 1, 2017 By

1. Poetry Seminar Packet–This is a very long packet, so print out poems when assigned. I would strongly encourage you to download the file to your computer. The first 48 pages have already been given to you! Be sure to bring that to class every day (you can store it in a folder). Tonight, closely review pages 15-17 (stop with verse forms). There may be a quiz on this tomorrow. 🙂

2. Reading–Read both sonnets by Sir Philip Sidney (Check table of contents in the packet). AND read Shakespeare’s Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day. Remember to annotate focus on meter and sound in general.