Homework, etc.

For Thursday, Jan. 9. 

Bring in a piece of writing of your choice (book, magazine article, etc.) and a short written explanation of what cultural features it assumes readers will know and understand. What would be confusing to a person from a different culture?

 Read  Chinua Achebe's  "Girls at War" p. 10.  Write a journal response, and try to consider what in the story seems strange, unclear, unfamiliar to you.  Where can you make connections to the characters, situations, setting?

For Tuesday Jan. 14, Read Country Lovers by Nadine Gordimer.

Thursday Jan. 15  We  will be in the computer lab (src 3612).  Make sure you have read the link elements of fiction    so that you can participate in the computer lab activity.

Tuesday, Jan. 20:  Read "Nomad and Viper" by Amos Oz. P778. Check out the readings about kibbutz and about bedouins to help understand the story. 

Thursday: Read  Description of 1st writing assignment and Explication of the first paper  because we will begin working on the paper. Write down some ideas you have for topics, based on the three questions at the beginning of the explication. You may change your topic after we meet, but you must have ideas.

For TuesdayJan 27: Bring in, written down, 1. the question you are attempting to answer in your essay; 2. your thesis statement; 3. a description of some of the ways you will develop this essay. You might write an introduction or a paragraph explaining your main points.

For Tuesday, Feb. 3?  : Paper 1 is due Thursday! Begin to revise your paper, using the help available revising strategies and at other links on our website.  Bring in any revision questions you have, for discussion. If you have a real specific question, contact me. If you're so inclined, come see me during my office hours and I'll help you. ALSO read "And of Clay Are We Created" by Isabel Allende.

Tuesday, Feb. 10: Read "The Lemon" by Arnost Lustig.  For Thursday: Kafka's "A Report to the Academy."

Tuesday Feb. 24: Have read  "Amy Foster" by Joseph Conrad. You should be working on the topic of your paper as well.

Thursday, Feb. 26: We will meet in the classroom, not the computer lab. MAKE SURE YOU'VE READ  "AMY FOSTER!" !

For Tuesday March 9th  Have read (carefully!) "The Kugelmass Episode" by  Woody Allen (p.37). Also read the links on our website terms used to analyze humor and   how to analyze humor   Work on a real revision of your paper, which is due Friday--use your critiques, revising help on the website, the Writing Center, and me if you have questions.

Thursday, March 11 Read "A Story for Children" by Svava Jakobsdottir. Analyze a passage for its use of humor.

Tuesday: No class--I will be in my office if you want to discuss your final paper.

Thursday March 18: Bring your final paper to the computer lab.