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CLA 325
Syllabus Spring 2017
CLA 325
Syllabus Spring 2017
Dr. Victor A. Leuci
Lewis, Naphtali. The Interpretation of Dreams & Portents in Antiquity. New York: Oxford University Press 1994. Print
Artemidorus. The Interpretation of Dreams.
Aelius Aristides. The Sacred Tales.
Lucian. Alexander of Abonoutichos.
Aristotle. Pagans and Christians. 1987
Selected passages from Greek & Latin literature (e.g. works of Homer, Aeschylus, Herodotus, Thucydides, Virgil, Livy, Tacitus, Suetonius)
Cures by means of dreams at temples of Asclepius (web article)
Reading assignments for the various guest lectures.
Selected readings from today
This course will examine, from a multi-disciplinary perspective, dreams, omens, and portents from the ancient world to see the role they played in individuals and communities lives and the role they played in literature along with the discussion in the ancient world of to what extent and whether any of these omens, etc. were authentic and accurate. This course will also expect the students to understand and apply, in a critical fashion, pertinent scholarship from various scholarly fields to the ancient (and modern) material. With the explosive growth of "Charismatic" or "Pentecostal" churches within the US and abroad and with the rise or reemergence of other religious groups, churches, movements, etc. which employ or stress dreams, omens, and portents (e.g. visions/prophecies), the students will "form intelligent judgements about and rational responses to" a "complex issue, problem, or concern they will confront as citizens in the 21st century" (New Foundations Document, p. 21)
Different types of writing will be part of the course: critical summaries, research papers, and a final. The critical review and the research paper will be revised on the basis of a conference with me. The critical review or the research paper must be revised on the basis of conferences with a tutor at the Writing Lab. A critique and conference after the completion of a writing assignment may also occur. In general, participants in the class should highly consider using the services of the Writing Lab and especially the Lab tutors, who can be of tremendous assistance.
Note: when turning in the final copy of a paper, the draft with comments by me and/or the writing lab tutor must be turned in at the same time -- it goes without saying that the "suggestions" noted on the draft must be incorporated in the final version of the paper for it to count as revised.
The course will consist of discussion, student presentations, and some lectures. The class may occasionally be divided into small groups to treat discussion topics that will most often be based on readings from ancient authors. Short responses/quick reaction statements may be assigned based on the results of the small group discussions. These responses are especially designed to facilitate the learning of important details and concepts of the course. Often the responses/quick reaction statements will represent the first opportunity to come to grips with an important block of material or ideas, which we will treat from several different perspectives or in several different contexts. Periodically a group of ca. 3-5 may be responsible for leading/guiding discussion of our class session. N.B. Not all of the group led discussions are indicated on the syllabus, but will be assigned at least 1 week in advance.
Research Paper: 200 points; 3000-6000 words in length. Check on-line assignments page
Outline & Bibliography: for Research Paper: 25 points. Check on-line assignments page
Mid-term and Final: 50 points each; 1200-1800 words in length (the lowest score will be dropped. Check on-line assignments page
Critical Review: 25 points; 600-900 words in length. Check on-line assignments page
Presentation: 50 points; based on the research paper to be presented the last several weeks of the semester.
Class Participation: 50 points; may also include posts in class discussion folder (if there are any).
All students and faculty must adhere to the Honor Code; please see the Student Life Handbook for the full description of the Honor Code--p. 21 in the Student Life Handbook gives a short definition:
"No Westminster student shall commit any act of academic dishonesty in order to advance her or his own academic performance, or to impede or advance the academic progress of others,"
but the sections on plagiarism and cheating are especially important (see Honor Commission Constitution, Article IX).
check pdf in Moodle or the Student Life Handbook for the following: ADA/Equal Access Policy, Policy on Harassment and Discrimination, College Duty, Emergency Procedures.
Content: The critical review should be a "critical" review, i.e. it should review the key points and present some of the key evidence of the material as well as provide a critique of the material. The mid-term and final are both take-home "exams"—you will be given the topics to choose from about one week before they are due. They should have good examples from our class resources with appropriate in-text citations. The research paper(s) should make appropriate use of primary and secondary evidence to address the topic chosen.
Formatting::
Submission:: A paper copy is due at the beginning of the class period (failure to turn in a paper copy will result in a two letter grade deduction for that paper unless there are extenuating circumstances). An electronic copy of each paper is also required and should be submitted within 24 hours of the due date for the paper copy; note that there is a four letter grade deduction for failure to submit an electronic copy. The research paper will also be turned in to a turnitin drop box in Moodle.
Regular attendance and participation are essential for the success of the whole class. More than two unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence past two will result in a deduction of 4 points from the total number of points one has at the end of the semester. If you are ill, e-mail me before class, if possible, or as soon as you are able.
The assignments at the link on the menu bar are not "set-in-stone," and may vary depending on how each class period goes. The syllabus will be updated as needed.