Writing 2: Classical Civilization

Instructor: James Donelan
Monday, Wednesday, 11-12:50, Girvetz 2112
Enroll Code: 46367
Office Hours: Tuesday, 12:30-1:15; Wednesday, 10-11
Lab Meetings: The second half of class on all Wednesdays will meet in Phelps 1530.

Texts:
Homer's Odyssey and Iliad

Barnes, Early Greek Philosophy

ConnectWeb, a computer program available online for $20 through e-commerce. Students should purchase the program by the third week of class.
ConnectWeb Home Page: http://connectweb.com/ucsb.asp

Requirements:
The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments, including short on-line assignments, and three short essays of approximately 750, 1000, 1500 words (the equivalent of 2-3, 3-4, and 5-6 double-spaced pages). All written assignments after the first week are due on-line through ConnectWeb. In addition, please note:

• On-line assignments are due by class time on the day assigned, unless otherwise indicated. Late assignments will result in grade reductions.
• Never submit an assignment without proofreading it carefully.
• Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class and your full participation. Attendance, participation in class discussion, and electronic exchanges therefore count for a substantial part of your grade.
• University regulations regarding plagiarism will be strictly enforced.
• Chronic absenteeism or late assignments will result in failure of the course.
• Your final grade will be calculated as follows: 
• Completeness and Punctuality of Connect Assignments, 15% 
• Class Participation, 10%
• First Essay, 20% 
• Second Essay, 25% 
• Third Essay, 30%

Syllabus

Part I: Literary Criticism: The Epic

1/5
Homework: 250 word statement of personal goals for the course. Please email the statement to yourself as a Microsoft Word or html file, if possible.
In-class: Introduction to ConnectWeb and course procedures; effective sentences; online discussion of classical studies.

1/10
Homework: List of essay topics/ideas (See ConnectWeb for full description.)
In-class: More effective sentences; topic exchange and development

1/12
Homework: Prospectus and outline for first essay
In-class: Sentence construction; improving your outline

1/17

Holiday

1/19
Homework: First page of the essay
In-class: Essay structure; introductions; thesis building; transitions

1/24
Homework: Beginning of rough draft
In-class: Thesis development; documentation

1/26
Homework: Full rough draft; check of preliminary materials.
In-class: Peer review; editing and proofreading

1/27

Final draft of essay due by noon.

Part II: Social Science and Classical Civilization: History, Anthropology, and Archaeology

1/31

Homework: Brief comparison of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

In-class: Timed essay tips; discussion of comparisons.

2/2
Homework: Readings on classical civilization
In-class: Reading and using secondary sources

2/7
Homework: Prospectus for classical civilization essay
In-class: Topic development and methodology; history, anthropology, and archaeology.

2/9
Homework: Working notes and preliminary outline.
In-class: Surveying the field

2/14
Homework: Half of rough draft--bring a hard copy.
In-class: Major revisions; paper workshopping.

2/16
Homework: Full rough draft due.
In-class:Peer review and workshopping.

2/17 Final draft due by noon.

Part III: Scientific Writing: Ancient Greek Science and Philosophy

2/21
Holiday

2/23
Homework: Readings from Presocratic Philosophers TBA; "What is science?" response
In-class: Analysis and comparison of early Greek philosophers

2/28
Homework: Prospectus for scientific essay.
In-class: Thesis building; peer review of outlines

3/2

Homework: First two paragraphs
In-class: Working titles; progress report

3/7
Homework: First half of draft
In-class: Work plans

3/9

Last day of class. Full rough draft; check of preliminary materials.

In-class: Peer review of drafts.

3/12 Third Essay Due