Great Books I is a course on influential works of world literature. Although often taught as a survey course, we will spend more time on just three masterpieces works so that we have a better sense of each of these works. We will supplement these with reading and analysis of other works before and after each of the central works--always with reference to contemporary "uses" of the primary works. The central works are recognized classics: Homer's Odyssey, Dante's Inferno, and Shakespeare's King Lear. We will discuss the learning goals for the course on the first day, but in brief, students will encounter these works through close cultural readings, will learn how to read in a "literary" manner, and how to read for social and curltural significance. In addition, students will be asked to integrate these reading practices into their own courses of study and to apply their literary reading skills to later "uses" of these works in our time. In brief, students should understand the contribution these works made to their own culture and to ours in literary, historical, and philosophical terms--and they should feel confident in picking up other "great books" in the future. The most important goal, however, is a simple one: students should engage the works, grapple with their meaning, and (one hopes) be changed by the encounter.

Texts:
Homer. The Odyssey. Robert Fagles, trs. Penguin
Dante. The Inferno. Robert Pinsky, trs. FSG
Cervantes, Don Quixote, J. M. Cohen, trs. Penguin
Shakespeare. The Tragedy of King Lear. Jay Halio, ed. Cambridge

Some additional course materials will be available on the course web site in Web Vista; students will be expected to use personal or university computers to access these additional materials.

Requirements, etc.: In addition to regular attendance and reading of all course materials, students will complete a series of tasks that are designed to support the learning goals of the course. It is imperative, for pedagogical reasons, that students complete reading and assignments on time and in the sequence they are assigned. Each of these components will be worth 25% of your final grade:

1) Each week, students will complete a "Reflection" exercise on WebCT-Vista.
2) Twice students will read one "Supplementary Reading" and write a symptomatic reading (3 pages).
3) Each "unit," students will collaborate (in teams of 7) on a critique of the "Contemporary Use" piece.
4) Once per "unit," there will be short-answer literary reading tests.

In addition, there will be two Narratives--these are required but ungraded.

Policies: We have specific pedagogical goals to accomplish during the semester, so I have these expectations for student conduct in this course: 1) "assembly is required"! any student who misses more than three class sessions will be penalized a full letter grade for the course. for every two absences beyond that initial period, students will lose another full letter grade. if you miss class for excusable reasons (medical, primarily), you must provide documentation immediately upon your return. 2) I accept no late papers unless arrangements are made in advance or you have a documented medical excuse. The workload is demanding; be prepared to meet the demands of the course every class meeting. 3) As this is a course which focuses on student reading and writing skills, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. 4) Because of the scaffoled and sometimes collaborative nature of the course and assignments, students must complete all assignments, and in assigned order, to pass the class.

Office & Hours: I am available by appointment and will be in my office (113b SFH--see receptionist) for consultation after class from 12.15 to 1.00--and by appointment. I will be available on WebCT Vista off&on during the day and evening, and I encourage you to contact me via email at raymond.craig@kent.edu for questions and to arrange for longer consultations. My phone number is 672-1741. Leave voice mail messages at the same number.

You will be using Web Vista at vista8.kent.edu. Use your Kent State userid and password for access.