Syllabus for Spring
2007 Literature Seminar
Meeting Time:
Wednesday 2:00-4:00
Units: 2.5-5.0
English / Elective
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Text and
Subtext |
Date |
Homework/Class
Work Reading Assignment (to be completed in class or by the start of the following
class meeting) |
Suggested
Forum Topic (See Forum for posting guidelines) |
Additional
Assignments (to earn 5.0 units) |
Month |
|
Journaling and Letter Writing |
1/31 |
The Perks of Being a
Wallflower Pp
1-46 |
Identify
characters in the book that you can relate to. What traits make them more or less like
you? |
Write
a daily series of letters to someone you don’t know in the style of Perks… |
Month 6 |
|
2/7 |
The Perks of Being a
Wallflower Pp
46-88 |
What
role does music play in Charlie’s life?
What role does it play in yours? |
Respond
in journal or letter writing: In what
ways do the lyrics of the music you listen to inspire you in your life? Include lyrics from your favorite songs. |
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2/14 |
The Perks of Being a
Wallflower Pp89-149 |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: How
does Charlie relate to the literature in his life? How do you? |
How
have you been betrayed by friends or family and how have you dealt with it? |
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2/21 |
The Perks of Being a
Wallflower Pp 149-213 |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: In
what ways has Charlie grown and changed throughout the novel? |
Write
the next “letter” in Charlie’s story (2-3 pages). |
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2/28 |
Eternal Sunshine of the
Spotless Mind |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: Comment
on the dynamic between memory and love.
Illustrate your point from the movie. |
Create
a timeline of events in the movie. What
do you think the phrase “non-linear narrative” means. How does it relate to the film? Is this an effective way to tell a story? |
Month 7 |
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|
Symbol and Metaphor |
3/7 |
Skellig |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: |
Identify
a minimum of 5 symbols or metaphors used in the movie or book and describe
the meaning of each and it’s impact on the overall
story. |
|
|
3/14 |
No Exit |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: Who
would you least like to be trapped
in a room with and why? |
Describe
a situation you have found yourself in that you did not enjoy. How did you react to the situation? Did your reaction make the situation better
or worse? |
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3/21 |
No Exit (Class Canceled) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: Are
Garcin’s final words words
of Hope, Despair or some other emotion?
Why do you think that? |
Elaborate
on one symbol or metaphor from previous assignment into an expository essay
(e.g. the room in No Exit). |
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3/28 Inservice |
NO CLASS |
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Month 8 |
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4/4 |
Oedipus Rex |
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4/11 Spring
Break |
NO CLASS |
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Fate and Free Will |
4/18 |
Oedipus Rex: Finish reading through
the end Cat’s Cradle: Chapters 1-23 (pp. 1-51) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies to this week’s reading: |
Write
aprofessional resumé for
Felix Hoenikker.
Cite pages where you find information from the book. |
|
|
4/25 |
Cat’s Cradle: Chapters 24-40 (pp. 52-85) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies to this week’s reading: |
Write
an argumentative essay (5 paragraphs) on the fate / free will debate. Have a clearly defined thesis and reference
to Oedipus Rex and/or Cat’s Cradle.
You can include other sources if you wish but are not required to.
(Rough due 5/2, Final due 5/9). |
Month 9 |
|
|
5/2 |
The Myth of Sisyphus Cat’s Cradle: Chapters 41-61 (pp.
86-135) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: Compare
the fates of Oedipus and Sisyphus. |
Describe
a range of at least three reactions Sisyphus could have to his fate. |
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Theses in Film and Literature |
5/9 STAR |
Cat’s Cradle: Chapters 62-83 (pp. 136-187) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies to this week’s reading. |
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5/16 |
Knowledge or Certainty Cat’s Cradle: Chapters 84-105 (pp. 187-237) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: What
is the film’s (Knowledge or Certainty) thesis? |
Write
a rough draft of a comparative (thematic/character/etc.) essay using at least
two readings from this year’s literature class. |
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5/23 |
The Lottery Cat’s Cradle: Chapters 106-127 (pp. 237-287) |
One
Forum
Post and two Replies: What
are the benefits and detriments to a societal scapegoat? |
Finalize
comparative essay based on your IST’s or
instructor’s feedback. |
Month 10 |
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5/30 |
Last
Class |
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