Assignments

These are the assignments that will make up your grade in this class.

Turn-in Procedures

All assignments will be turned in on eCampus to the appropriate drop box under the “Assignments” sidebar link. Do not bring a printed copy or email me your assignment.

Assignment Values

Assignment Descriptions

Short Papers 1-3

Over the course of the semester, you will be asked to write three (3) short (3-4 page) papers in response to course discussion and the readings we are doing in class.

Papers should be formatted using 12pt, Times New Roman font and double spaced with 1-inch margins.

Short Paper 1: Close Reading

Pick a passage in one of the texts we have read for class. A passage could be a portion of a dialogue (3-4 paragraphs) or a paragraph or even a single sentence, but not an entire text or sub-division of a text. Discuss the stylistic, thematic, and imagistic content of this scene, while also connecting these issues to larger themes within the text itself.

This paper uses internal evidence only (or primarily). You will be quoting material from the section in question and then discussing the style, theme, or imagery of the passage as it relates to the larger theme of the work.

You may need to do some additional historical or etymological research, especially as we are working with texts in translation. Additionally, consulting commentary or footnotes, especially on the Plato texts, will prove helpful.

Short Paper 2: Research Paper

Choose one of the texts we have read in class. Conduct research into the publication and authoring history of the piece.

Questions to consider:

1. Where was the piece first published?
   • What is the history of that venue?
2. What else is interesting/important about the publication?
3. Was the work typical of the author?
   • Is it an exception because of quality? Topic?
   • What can you learn about how the author worked?
4. When the work was published, what else was happening in history?
5. What else was the author doing / working on?
6. How was the work transmitted?
   • What copies remain?
   • Where are they held?

You may ask other questions as you research, and you are not required to answer all of these questions (you may find that none of these are helpful).

This paper does not advance an argument per se, but will need a thesis that outlines what you plan to focus on.

Cite your work using MLA 8 citation.

Accessing Library Resources Off Campus:

If you need to access library resources from off campus, you have two options, which both have advantages and disadvantages:

1. Use a VPN to access the TAMU network:
   • Instructions
2. Use EZProxy to access library resources:
   • “What is EZProxy?”
   • Library Instructions
   • “Configure Google Scholar to access library resources”
   • Use an EZProxy browser extension: Chrome or Firefox

Personally, I use an EZProxy browser extension because I can never remember to connect to the VPN and I don’t use a lot of other TAMU services from home. If you use a lot of other campus-only services, the VPN may be right for you (campus VPN is also good if you need to access anything A&M related on an unsecure connection, like coffee shop wi-fi).

Short Paper 3: Comparison

Pick two works we have read in the class. Also pick a topic that both have in common (whether this topic is content-driven or stylistic) and discuss how the two works are similar and/or different based on their treatment.

This paper should demonstrate both outside research and thematic analysis, combining the aspects of both previous papers.