In Class
- Course introduction.
- Setting up learning logs.
- First learning log entries: why should anyone study the very earliest literary works in English?
- After class: begin reading assignments.
Blackboard Thursday
- Go into Blackboard Discussion Board, find the Thursday Forum, and create a Thread for yourself.
- Post your first Blackboard Thursday entry. Instructions are located at the BB Thurs. site.
- Aquaint yourself with our Homepage and all course links.
- Be reading all assignments due for the 31st. Read actively— mark your texts; jot notes; formulate questions.
Before Class
Read in Norton, Vol. 1: "The Middle Ages," pp. 1-7 and pp. 22-23.
"Bede and 'Caedmon's Hymn,'" pp. 24-27.
"The Dream of the Rood," pp. 27-29.
Beowulf, pp. 29-99.
"The Wanderer," pp. 111-113.
"The Wife's Lament," pp. 113-114.
Listen to audio selections in NLO--try to hear as many as you can.
In Class
- Perspectives on reading lit, drawing on BB Thurs. postings.
- Old English and OE prosody.
- Read shorter works aloud.
- Begin work with Beowulf.
Blackboard Thursday
Post to your BB Thurs. thread an original poem in alliterative verse, at least 50 lines long, in your own voice and with details from your actual life or from contemporary American culture.
Write a brief note afterwards commenting on the experience.
Cantebury
Before Class
Read in Norton:
- Middle English Lyrics, pp. 436-437.
- Chaucer, skim "The General Prologue," then read all of "The Miller's Tale," pp.
In Class
- Read lyrics aloud.
- Listen to Middle English on audio.
- Work with "Miller's Tale."pp. 239-255.
Blackboard Thursday
Write a good couple paragraphs of notes from your reading of "The Wife of Bath's Tale." (See reading assignment for the 14th.)
Full instructions for all BB Thurs. work are in the BB Thurs. Forum of our Discussion Board.
Before Class
In Norton, read Chaucer's "The Wife of Bath's Tale ," pp. 239-255.
In Class
Continue work with Chaucer.
Remember! Come to class prepared to
Before Class
- "Legendary Histories," pp. 115-128 (skim-read).
- Spencer
- Sydney
- Marlow, Dr. Faustus, pp. 1023-1055. (skim)
In Class
Blackboard Thursday
Before Class
Shakespeare,
In Class
Blackboard Thursday
Before Class
Shakespeare,
In Class
Blackboard Thursday
Before Class
Exam
In Class
Before Class
Read in Norton:
Herbert, Donne, Herrick
In Class
Hey! Don't forget: come to class prepared to
Satan's fall (Paradise Lost)
Before Class
Read all of The Sun Also Rises.
In Class
Work with novel.
Before Class
Read contemporary poets and fiction writers, TBA.
In Class
- Complete work with novel.
- Begin contemporary artists.
Before Class
Read contemporary poets and fiction writers, TBA.
In Class
Blackboard Thursday
Before Class
Read all of White Noise
In Class
Work with novel.
HOLIDAY
Before Class
In Class
Work with novel.
Blackboard Thursday
Draft of critical essay due. Peer critiques.
Tues., Dec. 7
Before Class
Work on critical essay and portfolio.
In Class
- Discuss essay drafts.
- Discuss portfolios.
- Brief conferencing.
Blackboard Thursday
Electronic conferencing.
Before Class
Work on critical essay and portfolio.
In Class
- Wrap-up.
- Extra credit opportunity.
- Course evaluation.
Due by midnight, portfolio containing:
- finished critical essay;
- completed learning log;
- selections from Blackboard Thursday;
- reflective letter.
No portfolios are accepted after midnight except with documented evidence of serious hardship or illness.