Message #1 (3/13/20)

A Note to Humanities Students Concerning Our Current Circumstances

Hi, Human.  Sorry about the virus, but that’s life.  Still, we might as well try to recoup some of the lost time, so I’m going to ask you to do a little work over the next 2+ weeks you have off.  It’s just some reading and a few journals.  No big whoop.  If there are significant legitimate reasons why you won’t be able to do some or all of these tasks, please let me know via email.

All of the textbook and Weds. Seminar readings are here, on my website.

Here are four things I would like you to do through April 1 (no joke):

1.  Choose ONE of the following novels for independent reading (to finish by 4/10—there will be a test), and be prepared to complete JRNL #1:  How does the protagonist change over the course of the novel?  What plot development specifically contributes to that change?

            •Candide, by Voltaire:  a rollicking and bawdy socio-political satire of optimism;

            •Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley:  a gothic horror or creation, rejection, and revenge.

Both are in the public domain and can be found free online.  I suggest the Project Gutenberg website (www.gutenberg.org) for either novel.  Both are relatively short.  Also, you’ll note, they both feature eponymous protagonists. Woot.

2.  Continue working on your Exploration.  “Exploration Response #4:  Progress” is due shortly after we return (see the unit outline for the prompts).

3.  Read the first five textbook selections including the introduction to “The Age of the Renaissance”, and the Weds. Seminar reading on “The Theory of Knowledge”.  Complete the Journal responses on the Age of the Renaissance Unit Outline.  I’ve uploaded pics of the text excerpts and seminar essay on my website.

4. Begin at least thinking about the Art Project:  what medium will you work in (for those who are not “artistically inclined”, there are some suggestions posted on my website), and which two Renaissance themes or motifs will you interpret through and incorporate into your art work?

Thanks for your indulgence and effort.  Let me know if you have any questions. gh