Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28

Freshmen: Today we recited our poems for Poetry Out Loud. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and complete your time on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we recited poems for Poetry Out Loud. You should finish Oedipus the King for Thursday's class. You are going to be given the following prompt in class, and may do whatever you wish in order to prepare for the in-class essay:

Analyze how one of the following ideas is addressed in Oedipus Rex (choose only one). Analyze how the play reflects the universal idea (one applicable to multiple times, places, and texts). To do this, you must develop a clear thesis that expresses your opinion regarding how the play helps the reader understand the universal idea. You must use at least two blended citations from the play to support your thesis. You must also use one of the lead and conclusion techniques we studied in class, and identify them in your header. Craft an interesting, original title for your essay. Feel free to cite other texts, as well as scholars like Joseph Campbell or Thomas Foster.

Universal ideas to to addressed:

1. Blindness (literal and metaphorical).
2. Light and darkness.
3. Hubris (excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance).
4. Fate.

Honors Sophomores: Today we recited poems for Poetry Out Loud. Continue reading the first chapter from The Hero With a Thousand Faces.You should finish Oedipus the King for Thursday's class. You are going to be given the following prompt in class, and may do whatever you wish in order to prepare for the in-class essay:

Analyze how one of the following ideas is addressed in Oedipus Rex (choose only one). Analyze how the play reflects the universal idea (one applicable to multiple times, places, and texts). To do this, you must develop a clear thesis that expresses your opinion regarding how the play helps the reader understand the universal idea. You must use at least two blended citations from the play to support your thesis. You must also use one of the lead and conclusion techniques we studied in class, and identify them in your header. Craft an interesting, original title for your essay. Feel free to cite other texts, as well as scholars like Joseph Campbell or Thomas Foster.

Universal ideas to to addressed:

1. Blindness (literal and metaphorical).
2. Light and darkness.
3. Hubris (excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance).
4. Fate.

CNF: Today we viewed Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture" and will begin reading his book starting tomorrow.

Monday, January 26

Freshmen: Today our focus was on Poetry Out Loud and the next rhetorical device we will study, that of process analysis. Read for 20 minutes tonight, complete 20 minutes on Membean this week, and have your poem memorized for our next block period.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Poetry Out Loud and took a quiz on Oedipus the King. You need to finish everything to the start of the Fourth Choral Ode (page 60). Complete 30 minutes on Membean this week, and have your poem memorized for our next block period.

Honors Sophomores: Today we discussed AP Literature applications, which can be found on the JM website, and did a little bit with Poetry Out Loud and Sophocles. Read everything up to start of the Fourth Episode (page 61). Complete 20 minutes on Membean this week, and have your poem memorized for our next block period.

CNF: Today we talked about the nature of promises, as well as existence, and read most of the chapter titled "Batman's Promise" from Batman and Philosophy. 

Western Traditions Honors Sophomore Sophocles Reading Schedule

Hello Honors Students -
Here is our reading schedule for Sophocles:
1/23 - Begin Oedipus the King.
Due 1/26 - everything up to the start of the Third Choral Ode (1-47).
Due 1/27 or 1/28 - everything up to the start of the Fourth Episode (47-61).
Due 1/29 - conclusion of play (61-81).
2/2 - Begin Antigone.
Due 2/3 or 2/4 - everything up to the start of the Second Choral Ode (191-218).
Due 2/5 - everything up to the start of the Fifth Choral Ode (218-241).
Due 2/6 - complete play (241-252).

Friday, January 23

Freshmen: Today our focus was on how your poem should be read (e.g. pauses, stressing of words, etc.). Have it memorized by the next block period. We also did a review and retake of the semester final exam you took. Read for 20 minutes and complete your time on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we began Oedipus the King. The reading schedule is posted on the blog. Complete the reading and your work on Membean. Memorize your Poetry Out Loud poem for our next block meeting.

Honors Sophomores: Today we got an introduction to some of the ideas we will find in Sophocles as well as an overview of Oedipus's backstory. Read through page 46 for Monday (to the start of the Third Choral Ode). Keep reading from Campbell, and memorize your Poetry Out Loud poem for our next block meeting.

CNF: Today we continued to study superpowers as well as the importance of childhood dreams and promises. Bring Batman and Philosophy for Monday's class, and have The Last Lecture for next week as well.

Sophomore Western Traditions Sophocles Reading Schedule

Note: The page numbers are for the orange translation by Paul Roche.

1/23 Begin Oedipus the King.

Due 2/26 - Pages 1-26 (to start of Second Choral Ode).

Due 2/28 - Pages 26-60 (to start of Fourth Choral Ode).

Due 2/30 - Pages 61-81 (end of play).

2/2 Begin Antigone.

Due 2/4 - 191-219 (start of Third Episode).

Due 2/5 - 219-235 (start of Fifth Episode).

Due 2/6 - 235-252 (end of play) and seminar.

Thursday, January 22

Freshmen: Today we analyzed your Poetry Out Loud poems via a SOAPSTone exerise. You analyzed who or what the Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Subject, and Tone of your poem. If you haven't completed this, do so before Friday's class. Read for 20 minutes; complete 20 minutes on Membean this week; memorize your POL poem for our next block period.

Sophomores: Today we did an overview of the backstory of Sophocles and the story of Oedipus. You will find interesting additional information here: http://english.unlv.edu/world-literature/Oedipus/OedipusW4.html We will begin the play on Friday. Complete 30 minutes on Membean this week and memorize your Poetry Out Loud poems.

Honors Sophomores: Today we started an introductory overview of the concept of the hero. Some important questions we focused on were: What is the difference between an idol and a hero? What characteristics do we associate with the "traditional hero" model? and, What characteristics do modern American heroes possess? Continue to read the first chapter from Campbell's book; complete 20 minutes on Membean this week and memorize your Poetry Out Loud poems.

CNF: Today we focused on the powers of flight and invisibility, and what our choices reveal about our personality. Get a copy of Batman and Philosophy and The Last Lecture ASAP.

Wednesday, January 21

Welcome to the new semester.

Freshmen: Today we decided upon which poems you would memorize for Poetry Out Loud and discussed some techniques that would aid in memorization. These are due in a week, and you need to provide me with a paper copy of your poem the day we recite your poems. Read for 20 minutes and do 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we decided upon which poems you would memorize for Poetry Out Loud and discussed some techniques that would aid in memorization. These are due in a week, and you need to provide me with a paper copy of your poem the day we recite your poems. We also did a quick overview of the course, and your disclosures are due tomorrow. Lastly, we talked about the characteristics or attributes we associate with the "traditional hero" concept. Get a copy of Sophocles ASAP, work on Membean for 30 minutes this week, and start memorizing your poem.

Honors Sophomores: Today we decided upon which poems you would memorize for Poetry Out Loud and discussed some techniques that would aid in memorization. These are due in a week, and you need to provide me with a paper copy of your poem the day we recite your poems. We also did a quick overview of the course, and your disclosures are due tomorrow. We also previewed the semester-long honors project that we will do in conjunction with The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Begin reading the prologue now. Get a copy of Sophocles ASAP, work on Membean for 20 minutes this week, and start memorizing your poem.

CNF: Today we got a basic overview of the course; bring your disclosures in tomorrow. Get copies of Batman and Philosophy and The Last Lecture ASAP.

Freshman Third Quarter Prayer and Great Thoughts

For third quarter, you will continue to select a great thought that you believe speaks to or encapsulates an important idea and craft a short talk about that idea. However, for third quarter, while you will still write your great thought down, you will not have your written talk or notes when you perform your speech.

Monday, January 12

Freshmen: Today we concluded our study of Billy Collins. Study for finals - the guide is on the blog. Read eight poems off the www.poetryoutloud.com website and fill out your sheet - we'll discuss this the first day we are back. I have assigned a Membean quiz; it's optional. You can take it if you feel it will help your grade, and if not, it will be excused.

Sophomores: Today we concluded your excellent "This I Believe" essays. Study for finals - the guide is on the blog. Read eight poems off the www.poetryoutloud.com website and fill out your sheet - we'll discuss this the first day we are back. I have assigned a Membean quiz; it's optional. You can take it if you feel it will help your grade, and if not, it will be excused.

Honors Sophomores: Today we concluded your excellent "This I Believe" essays and also did some work with six word stories. Study for finals - the guide is on the blog. Read eight poems off the www.poetryoutloud.com website and fill out your sheet - we'll discuss this the first day we are back. I have assigned a Membean quiz; it's optional. You can take it if you feel it will help your grade, and if not, it will be excused. Be sure you have a copy of Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces for when we return from break.

CNF: Today we concluded Born Into Brothels and concluded the semester with a seminar. Thanks for a great semester. Your final exam is posted on the blog.

Tuesday, January 6 and Wednesday, January 7

Freshmen: Today our main focus was on Poetry Out Loud and on blending citations. As for Poetry Out Loud, you need to read eight poems off their website by the first day of the third quarter and complete the worksheet I provided. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and complete 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today our main focus was on Poetry Out Loud and on a short story from "A World of Short Stories." As for Poetry Out Loud, you need to read eight poems off their website by the first day of the third quarter and complete the worksheet I provided. Complete 30 minutes on Membean this week. Due Thursday is your This I Believe project; have two copies of your essay - one to read from, and one for me.

Honors Sophomores: Today our main focus was on Poetry Out Loud and on Joseph Campbell. As for Poetry Out Loud, you need to read eight poems off their website by the first day of the third quarter and complete the worksheet I provided. Complete 20 minutes on Membean this week. Due Thursday is your This I Believe project; have two copies of your essay - one to read from, and one for me. Your final honors project essay is due by Monday.

CNF: Today we completed the final two chapters of Freakonomics.

Monday, January 5

Freshmen: Today we had a review for the final exam, which can be found on an earlier post. Prepare well. Read for 20 minutes tonight and work for 20 minutes this week on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we had a review for the final exam, which can be found on an earlier post. Prepare well. Your This I Believe essay and presentation is due on Thursday. Please be prepared. Work for 30 minutes on Membean this week as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had a review for the final exam, which can be found on an earlier post. Prepare well. Your This I Believe essay and presentation is due on Thursday. Please be prepared. Your final reading and essay from Foster's book is due on or before January 12. Work for 20 minutes on Membean this week as well.

CNF: Today we began reading the final two chapters from Freakonomics, examining the question, "Just how important are parents, anyway?"

Honors Sophomore World Literature 2014-2015 Final Exam Review Guide

Your semester final exam is a two part exam that comprises 20% of your semester grade. Part I is a 64 question objective exam worth 64 points (or 39% of your exam grade, which translates to roughly 8% of your semester grade). The contents of the exam contain, but are not limited to, the following topics we covered this semester: mythology, creation myths, irony, types of conflict found in stories, lead and conclusion techniques to use as a writer, other concepts and principles related to writing we covered this semester, parables, the Tao te Ching and Taoism, thesis statements, citation techniques, analysis and synthesis, Joseph Campbell, the 10% Solution, and at least one question pertaining to each of the chapters we read in How to Read Literature Like a Professor.

Part II of the exam is an essay exam worth 100 points (or 61% of your exam grade, which translates to roughly 12% of your semester grade). You will be randomly assigned one of two possible essay prompts. You are not allowed to use any notes on the essay, though you may use the books we read, as you will be required to cite from the text. It's probably a good idea to do some planning for each essay ahead of time. The instructions for your essay exam will read:

All essays must have the following components:

-An interesting title at the top.

-Correct use of a lead and conclusion technique we studied this semester, with those techniques listed in the header.

-Double spaced, except when using a blocked citation.

-Several, properly blended citations from multiple books.

-Neat and easy to read.

-Free from most conventions errors.

You will be assigned one of the following prompts: 

1. Explain how Taoist principles and ideas are present in several of the novels we read this year.

2. Choose at least three characters (each from a different novel) that we have read about this semester and explain a common belief they all share and how that common belief manifests itself in how the characters live their lives.

Sophomore World Literature Final Exam Review Guide 2014-2015

Your semester final exam is a two part exam that comprises 20% of your semester grade. Part I is a 39 question objective exam worth 39 points (or 28% of your exam grade, which translates to roughly 6% of your semester grade). The contents of the exam contain, but are not limited to, the following topics we covered this semester: mythology, creation myths, irony, types of conflict found in stories, lead and conclusion techniques to use as a writer, the Tao te Ching and Taoism, thesis statements, citation techniques, analysis and synthesis, the 10% Solution, and parables.

Part II of the exam is an essay exam worth 100 points (or 72% of your exam grade, which translates to roughly 14% of your semester grade). You will be randomly assigned one of two possible essay prompts. You are not allowed to use any notes on the essay, though you may use the books we read, as you will be required to cite from the text. It's probably a good idea to do some planning for each essay ahead of time. The instructions for your essay exam will read:

All essays must have the following components:

-An interesting title at the top.

-Correct use of a lead and conclusion technique we studied this semester, with those techniques listed in the header.

-Double spaced, except when using a blocked citation.

-Several, properly blended citations from multiple books.

-Neat and easy to read.

-Free from most conventions errors.

You will be assigned one of the following prompts: 

1. Explain how Taoist principles and ideas are present in several of the novels we read this year.

2. Choose at least three characters (each from a different novel) that we have read about this semester and explain a common belief they all share and how that common belief manifests itself in how the characters live their lives.

Compelling Non-Fiction First Semester Final Exam

Your final this semester will be an essay. While you will be allowed to use the books we've read, you cannot use any notes or anything like that on the exam. However, I want you well-prepared, so this is exactly what the exam will look like. Let me know if you have questions.

Compelling Non-Fiction First Semester Final Exam

Directions: Choose one of the following essay prompts to answer. Support your answer with evidence from four different sources: Both texts we read this semester, at least one of the films we have viewed, and your own personal experience.

Possible Prompts:

1. Is the statement that “Morality represents how we would like the world to work; economics represents the way it actually does work” a true statement?

2. What ethical obligations must constructors of non-fiction texts adhere to?

3. Is conventional wisdom wisdom? Or is it folly?

4. How can we use our knowledge of incentives to encourage moral behavior and make the world a better place?

5. Which method of thinking that we studied this year – Blink-style thinking or Freakonmics-style thinking – is more effective?

Freshman English 2014 First Semester Final Exam Study Guide

Hello. I hope you took good notes, as instructed, as everything on the exam comes straight from your notes. Here's what you need to know: The final exam comprises 20% of your semester grade, is worth 172 points, and has two parts. Part I is a 72 question objective exam that may include, but is not limited to, the following areas: Haiku; free verse poetry; lead and conclusion techniques; narrative, haibun, and compare-contrast essays; Question-Based Research; the seven-step essay process; information from the first three chapters of They Say I Say; citation techniques. 

Part II is a 100 point in class essay. The topic is up to you; however, you will be assigned a particular genre, either narrative or compare-contrast. You are not allowed to use any notes, etc., but should feel free to think through some ideas ahead of time. The prompt will look something like this: 

Essay prompt: You are to write a _______________ essay. Your grade will be based on how well you write in this particular mode. Additionally, all essays should have the following components:

a. be easy to read (neat, double spaced, etc).

b. have a clear thesis.

c. be free from most conventions errors.

d. use one of the lead and conclusion techniques we’ve studied this year and identify the techniques used in your header.

e. have a compelling title at the top.

See me if you have any questions between now and the exam.