Lee Knippenberg

This course focuses largely on the subjective human experience of several literary “heroes” and their personal/intimate search for a place they can call home and the self that belongs there.  These searches come in many forms – some are physical, some are cerebral, some are spiritual.  We will examine the journey’s taken by our heroes in light of many different themes, to include:  the relationship between memory and the self, collective vs. individual storytelling, the public vs. the private self, and the conversion/redemption of the self in the context of God(s), history, family and one’s own inner voice.  As we continue to examine the individual works, we will become increasingly interested in how these works speak to one another.

Students will be expected to read, carefully and critically, each text, and will be expected to practice regularly the craft of careful and critical writing.  The ability to read critically and to organize coherently one’s thoughts is directly related to the ability to express those thoughts in clear and persuasive prose.  To that end, in addition to regular in-class writing assignments, students will be responsible for writing two essays during the course of the session.  These essays will comprise a significant portion of the students’ final grade.

This course focuses largely on discussion.  All students will be expected to participate regularly in class discussion.  Failure to do so will result in a significant lowering of your final grade.

TEXTS

(available in the OU bookstore)

Aeschylus, The Orestia (Meineck trans.)

Augustine, The Confessions (Chadwick trans.)

Homer, The Odyssey (Lattimore trans.)

Plato, The Symposium (Hamilton trans.)

Radice, The Letters of Abelard and Heloise

Shakespeare, Othello

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

Essay #1 – due Thursday, Sept. 23rd

Essay #2 – due Thursday, Oct. 21st

Essay #3 – due Thursday, Nov. 18th

Essay #4 – due no later than Wednesday, Dec. 15th

GRADING

Essays – 80%

Participation/Attendance – 20%

ATTENDANCE

Please note that, while there is no specifically stated number of accepted absences, attendance and participation do comprise 20% of the final grade.  I expect all students taking this course to arrive on time, with all of the necessary materials, ready to discuss the assigned reading.  A consistent pattern of tardiness will result in the lowering of your final grade.  A consistent pattern of absence will result in the grade “FA.”

POLICIES

Papers are due at the start of class on the day assigned.  All late papers will be docked one letter grade for each day late past the assigned due date. 

Should some circumstance prevent you from completing all the required course work, you may see me about receiving and Incomplete.*

Please read the section detailing the Honor Code and Plagiarism (page 77) in the Bulletin.  All written work completed in this course must be pledged.  Unpledged work will receive the grade “F.”

Please have the courtesy to turn all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices to silent operation during class.

My office is on the second floor of the Conant Center.

My office phone is:  404-364-8343

My email is:  lknippenberg@oglethorpe.edu

My office hours for this session will be:  T/TH 4:30 – 5:30, or by appointment.

*Incomplete Policy

This grade has the same effect as an “F” on the GPA.  If a student is unable to complete the work for a course on time for reasons of health, family tragedy, or other circumstances the instructor deems appropriate, the grade of “I” may be assigned.  If the student completes the work within 30 days of the last day of final examinations (of the semester in question), the instructor will evaluate the work and turn in a revised grade.  Any “I” not changed by the professor within 45 days of the last day of final examinations will automatically be changed to a grade of “F.”