HUX 502
Defining the Humanities: Literature

[Assignment 1] [Assignment 2] [Assignment 3] [Assignment 4]

ASSIGNMENTS

Each assignment is due in the instructor's mailbox during the week indicated below. Count Week 1 as the first week that classes begin and Week 15 as the final week of the term. Trimester dates are listed at the upper left hand corner of your registration form.

All papers must be typed, with footnotes and bibliographies where appropriate, and mailed in before the assignment deadline.

NOTE:

See Instructions for Sending in Assignments from the Humanities External Degree Online Catalog for specific details regarding approved methods of turning in assignments.

If you do not fully understand the assignment or need help, telephone the instructor during office hours, or mail in your questions.

University regulations forbid assigning a grade of "I" (Incomplete) unless at least one course assignment has been received by the instructor. Instead, we must assign a "U" grade (Unauthorized Incomplete), which is equivalent to an "F."

ASSIGNMENT I
Due Date:
Reading: Weeks 1-3; Writing Assignment: Week 4
Length:
5 pages or less
Format:
  • Read Conrad, The Secret Sharer.
  • Read Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
  • Read the Friedman essay appended to this text (see printed course guide).
  • Write a paper of either of these works. Treat the artistry, methods, and ideas of the authors. Include a commentary by at least two scholar-critics who have written studies of the authors and their works. Include, if you so desire, some biographical materials on the writers to help you trace "the Self" as an essential metaphor.

    • ASSIGNMENT II
    Due Date:
    Reading: Weeks 5-7; Writing Assignment: Week 8
    Length:
    5 pages or less
    Format:
  • Read Bellow, Humboldt's Gift.
  • Read Morrison, Sula.
  • Write a paper of either of these works. Treat the artistry, methods, and ideas of the authors. Include a commentary by at least two scholar-critics who have written studies of the authors and their works. Include, if you so desire, some biographical materials on the writers to help you trace "the Self" as an essential metaphor.
    Note: For help in preparing your paper on the Fiction portion of this course, please refer to the Friedman essay at the end of the printed course guide, and read the Study Questions.

    • ASSIGNMENT III
    Due Date:
    Reading: Weeks 9-10; Writing Assignment: Week 11
    Length:
    5 pages or less
    Format:
  • Read Moore, "Poetry" appended to the end of the printed course guide.
  • Read the Anthology of sixteen poems appended to the end of the printed course guide.
  • Choose one of the poems; write a paper on what and how the poem means. Note the effective use of some poetic devices and include some biographical materials on the writer to help you trace "the Self" as an essential metaphor in the work.

    • ASSIGNMENT IV
    Due Date:
    Reading: Weeks 12-13; Writing Assignment: Week 14
    Length:
    5 pages or less
    Format:
  • Read "Alcestis" by Euripides (appended).
  • Read The Master Builder by Ibsen.
  • Write a paper on either of these plays using, if you choose, to be guided by the study questions or by some other relevant concept you would like to apply to a thoughtful analysis.