SYLLABUS 2/19 - 3/17

1st CLASS 2/19
IN CLASS: read “A Modest Proposal”, discuss satire
HW: read (finish) “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift
answer discussion questions:
1. How and why does Swift manage to bring his readers to see that they can imagine even cannibalism as a "rational" alternative to other things?
2. What could be his agenda?
BRING COMPUTERS TO CLASS

2nd CLASS 2/20
IN CLASS: introduce Erewhon, WEB HUNT
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 1 - 17
answer discussion questions:
1. What factors lead the narrator to explore into Erewhon?
2. What does Chowbok’s reaction to telling about the far range imply about his knowledge of it?
3. How does the narrator feel about solitude? Explain specific quotes to support your answer.

3rd CLASS 2/22
IN CLASS: discuss reading, the drive to explore, symbolism activity, WEB HUNT (continued)
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 17 - 40
answer discussion questions:
1. What are the narrator’s religious beliefs?
2. Describe, in your own words, the statues in the mountain saddle. In your opinion (using your imagination), what might they represent?
3. Describe the Erewhonians. Why was the narrator not afraid of them?
4. List the characteristics (physical and societal) that are valued by the Erewhonians.

1st CLASS 2/26
IN CLASS: discuss reading, Victorian Jeopardy
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 40 - 65
answer discussion questions:
1. What is the narrator’s response to the news that he will live with an embezzler? Whis is his teacher upset?
2. How is the narrator treated when he is in a bad mood?

2nd CLASS 2/27
IN CLASS: list Erewhonian institutions, discuss values and morals, WMS as Utopia – issues, introduce satirical solution paper – rough draft due Monday 3/5
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 65 - 87
answer discussion questions:
1. Explain how musical banks work.
2. For what aspect of Victorian Society is this a metaphor, and why?

3rd CLASS 3/1
IN CLASS: check-in on satire paper, the metaphor of Musical Banks, watch Lost Horizon and discuss
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 87 - 106
1st draft satirical solution paper

1st CLASS 3/5
IN CLASS: 1ST DRAFT SATIRICAL PAPER DUE, Erewhonian’s belief in the pre-life,
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 106 - 122
answer discussion questions:
1. In what ways is WMS similar to the College of Unreason?
2. What do the Erewhonians believe is important about attending this College?

2nd CLASS 3/6
IN CLASS: beauty – how it’s defined in our society, watch Lost Horizon
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 122 - 144
answer discussion questions:
1. Explain how Erewhonians believe machines might be able to harm humans.
2. What rights do animals have in Erewhon?

3rd CLASS 3/8
IN CLASS: finish Lost Horizon and discuss Shangri-la and cultural pervasiveness
HW: read Erewhon by Samuel Butler p. 150 - 163
answer discussion questions:
1. What is the narrator’s plan for returning to Erewhon?
2. Explain the satire embedded in this plan (consider how his intentions are ironic given what he has just experienced in Erewhon).
final draft satirical paper (due Tuesday)

1st CLASS 3/12
IN CLASS: introduce dystopias, film clips – The Matrix, discussion
HW: work on final draft satirical paper

2nd CLASS 3/13
IN CLASS: FINAL DRAFT SATIRICAL PAPERS DUE, film clips – The Matrix, discussion
HW: answer discussion questions:
1. “What does this film communicate about the world in the film? What controls the world in this film and the people who live in that world?”

3rd CLASS 3/15
IN CLASS: film clips – The Matrix, discussion
HW: HAVE A MOST EXCELLENT AND RELAXING BREAK!