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Classics 194/First Year Seminar
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I have designed the course readings and assignments with the goal that students:
To these ends, the course will emphasize writing and discussion. We will use writing in part as a method to think and learn about the course material. For example, to help you read more carefully and prepare to participate in class discussion, 10 informal response papers are required over the course of the semester (at least 6 before Fall Break). These 1-2 page musings on the day's reading - potentially including a summary, comments, critique, concerns, comparison to other readings, answers to the discussion questions or proposals for new questions - must be submitted before discussion for credit. For all reading assignments, questions are provided on the syllabus to help direct your reading and responses, as well as our discussion. I also encourage creative writing as a form of response, such as composing a new section of the Iliad, writing part of a Platonic dialogue, or trying your hand at Old Comedy.
Three short, formal essays are also required. These are your opportunity to present a fully-developed and well-evidenced argument on a particular issue. We will spend considerable class time discussing college-level argumentative writing, including both its form and content, as well as the critical stages of writing: planning, drafting and revising. During several workshops we will evaluate writing by students; come to these sessions prepared to share your work with others. The academic essay will be one of the most common forms by which you are evaluated in your courses at Macalester; moreover, to write well is one of the most important things you can learn in college, regardless of your major or future career plans. I invite you to take this opportunity to work on your writing skills quite seriously, whatever level of writing preparation you may have had beforehand. Late paper policy: if a paper is not turned in by the designated time, one letter grade will be deducted from the one otherwise earned. For every additional day the paper is late (24 hrs.), another letter grade will be deducted.
Since we will be working extensively with drama and other performed work, a portion of the course is also devoted to student performances. Each student will give a short presentation on their independent research into the life and work of a selected philosopher. Reports will be given on Pre-Socratic philosophers on Friday, November 17, and on Post-Socratics on Monday, December 13. In addition, after we study Athenian drama, students will divide into small groups to re-write a Greek myth as a tragedy and perform it for the class.
Class participation includes reading the assigned material, thinking about the questions posed on the syllabus and otherwise preparing, coming to class regularly and on time, as well as actively participating in the group discussion. Your ten response papers will count toward your participation grade. Attendance will be kept; not only will you not receive credit for participation if you are absent, after four absences your grade will suffer directly. More than six absences may cause you to fail the course. A map quiz will be given on Wednesday, September 15, and pop quizzes on reading and class material may occur. Some students may also be given quizzes on grammatical, punctuation or other problems revealed in their writing. Late and make-up work will not be accepted.
And last but not least, a final exam (Friday, December 17, 10:30am-12:30) will allow you to have the final word on the issues we have explored over the semester. If you have difficulties with the date of any scheduled quiz or exam, consult with me in advance. Likewise, if your abilities necessitate special exam conditions or other considerations, I encourage you to discuss these with me as soon as possible.
Final grades will be calculated based on the following formula:
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