Assignments

For Wednesday, Jan. 7.   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?

For Friday Jan. 9  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? You may need to read up on the Nigerian Civil War. Help is available on the readings link.

For Monday Jan. 12: Read Nadine Gordimer's "Country Lovers."p.331

For Wednesday Jan. 14: Look at elements of fiction    Be prepared to discuss how these elements work in the two stories we have read.

For Wednesday, Jan. 14:  Read "Nomad and Viper" by Amos Oz. P778. Check out the readings about kibbutz and about bedouins to help understand the story.  Read Description of 1st writing assignment and Explication of the first paper  (also in the readings section) 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.

Description of 1st writing assignment

Friday, Jan. 23: for Nomad and Viper, you should bring in one quiz question (as if you were writing a test about the story) and one question you actually have about the story.

Monday, Jan 26  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.

Monday Feb. 2? Paper 1 is due Friday! 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.

Monday, Feb. 9 We are meeting in SRC2800 to hear a lecture (Scott Boyd) on life in Turkey. For Wednesday, read "The Lemon" by Arnost Lustig and "A Report to the Academy" by Franz Kafka. The theme for the next paper will be reflections on what it means to be human, so consider that question as you read these stories.

For Friday, Feb.20: You should be reading "Amy Foster" by Joseph Conrad. On Monday we will again meet in src2800 to hear comedian/commentator Ray Hanania. On Wednesday we'll work on your paper/Amy Foster.

For Monday March 8: 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.

For Wed. March 10:  Read "A Story for Children" by Svava Jakobsdottir. Analyze a passage for its use of humor.

Please note that there is no more formal class after Friday: I will be in my office to meet with you during class time about your third paper (due Wed in class) or any other pending issues. This third paper prompts is the link to topic choices, should you have missed class on Friday March 12. Absolutely no extensions are available after Friday March 19.