Course Requirements

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Three essays of 5-7 pages each (20% each of final grade)

Final exam (30% of final grade)

Class preparation and participation (10% of final grade)

Essay assignments:

Essay 1: Ovidian Myths	Choose a single Ovidian story, character, or motif, and trace its influence on Shakespeare in two or three specific instances (a particular passage, character, or theme). Don't simply paraphrase the stories and point out differences and similarities. A strong paper will analyze and evaluate those differences and similarities, and develop some observations about how Ovid contributed to Shakespeare's poetic achievement.
Essay 2: The Ovidian Style	Choose a particular aspect of Ovid's distinctive style and analyze the ways in which it influenced (or is at odds with) Shakespeare's style. Both poets made extensive use of rhetorical figures--you might want to choose a particular figure, or group of related figures, and analyze Shakespeare's use of rhetorical forms. Both poet are also masters of poetic imagery--you might want to analyze the similarities and differences in their use of imagery.
Essay 3: Narrative and Drama	As an epic, or at least a narrative poem, Ovid's Metamorphoses is written in a genre that is not centrally concerned with issues of drama and theatricality. In this paper you should analyze the ways in which Ovid's poetry contributes to, or is at odds with Shakespeare's dramatic concerns. You could choose another motif or stylistic concern as a focus here, or you might want to think about the ways in which Ovid influences Shakespeare's use of a particular dramatic form: comedy, tragedy, or romance.
	In addition to essays 1 and 2, graduate students will write a 12-15 page research paper in lieu of essay 3. The paper can be on any topic, but it should be discussed with the instructor beforehand.

If you quote Ovid (and you should, generally speaking), make sure you use the Golding translation of 1567, and make sure you analyze his language as carefully as you do Shakespeare's. If you have any Latin at all, make sure you consult the original.

I am always open to imaginative variations of or substitutions for the above topics, but please discuss your idea with me first. Keep in mind that there's a considerable degree of cross-pollination among the topics above, and that's largely intentional. Let me know if you have questions about anything.

Writing about literature handouts

POLICY MATTERS

Please arrive on time, and be prepared to listen, think, and contribute. Please turn off wireless phones, pagers, headphones, molecular phase inverters, and other electronic devices that might disrupt class. If your cell phone goes off during class, Minos will relegate you to the place in Dante's Hell reserved for the "violent against neighbors." Please treat other students and your instructor in a civil and respectful manner. Note that classroom disruption is a violation of Longwood University's honor code.

Please keep electronic versions of all work you submit for this class until after you have received your final grade. In case of inclement weather, continue to read the daily assignments, continue to submit reading responses, and check the course web page for announcements.

The Longwood University attendance policy in the 2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog will be the attendance policy for this course. You will receive an F on work missed because of unexcused absences. Your grade will be lowered by one letter grade if you miss 10 percent of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences. You will receive an F if you miss a total (excused and unexcused) of 25 percent of the scheduled class meeting times. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain notes from a classmate (as well as announcements about syllabus changes or other matters). Exams can be made up only under the most grave circumstances, and with documentation from an MD or a Longwood University official. If you foresee a conflict, I expect you to discuss it with me beforehand. Written assignments handed in late will lose one letter grade for each class day late.

PLAGIARISM AND HONOR CODE

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of intellectual dishonesty will result in an F for the course and referral to the Longwood University Judicial system.

Please read the plagiarism policy for this course