Assignments

Paper 1 – Due January 28, 1999:  Select the passage from the Iliad that puzzles you most and explain why it does so.
         (12%)

Paper 2 – Due February 23, 1999:  Select three passages, one from each tragedian, and show how each of those passages best represents its author's special view of the human predicament.
         (12%)

Paper 3 – Due March 11, 1999:  If one were to view Plato as a dramatist, how would you compare his dialogues to the plays of Euripides?  In what significant ways are they the same and different?  Make your arguments by selecting a dialogue (stichomythia) from Euripides and a specific exchange from the Crito. 
         (12%)

Paper 4 – Due April 8, 1999:  Frederic Jameson argues that Ragtime represents in its style certain post-modern characteristics.  Find a passage in Ragtime that you believe best makes Jameson's case, even if you disagree with his analysis of Ragtime.  Please be sure to explain with a close reading of your selected passage how Jameson's argument elucidates your chosen text.  Also be sure to give clear evidence of your understanding of Jameson's argument.
         (12%)

Paper 5 – Due April 29, 1999:  Multi-Media Project in which the concept of explication de texte is expanded to include visual and possibly audio sources.  To be described in a separate document.
         (12%)