fandomhigh | Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson One

Entry tags:

literature

Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson One

Monday, January 9, 5th and 6th periods

Professor Chaucer is leaning against his desk in the lovely new classroom he's been assigned to, waiting for his students to arrive. Once they have he walks forward and greets them.

"Welcome to Introduction to Western Literature. I'm Geoff Chaucer, and I'll be teaching the class, in case you hadn't already figured that out. First I want to tell you a few things about the class. There aren't very many of you, so I'd prefer it if you all sat near one another -- in fact, the seats can be moved into whatever configuration we all feel comfortable with, so there's no need for anyone to be stuck off alone in the back. Also, I want to point out the book closet behind me -- you can find all of the texts you need for the assigned readings there, plus some additional materials if you're interested. The books here on the bookcase are also available for reading, but I'd prefer you don't remove those from this wing of the school. My office is just off the classroom here, and I'll be holding office hours at least twice a week, possibly more if I get very bored.

"You can pick up a copy of the assigned readings and grading structure here on my desk as you leave today. Class discussions will pertain to those readings, and participation in the discussions is part of your grade, so please make certain you do the reading. There will be a couple of quizzes given, just to make certain you're all understanding the material, and an end-of term project, which I'll tell you more about later.

All right, let's move on to today's class. There are three things I need you to do for me today.

1. Introduce yourself, and tell the class why you're taking Western Lit.

2. Choose two people in the room and ask each of them a question. Any question, but let's keep things civil. I'm included in the category of 'people in the room'.

3. In roughly 100 words, describe me. Bonus points will be given for favorable use of the following words: articulate, handsome, dashing, droolworthy, charming, intelligent, sexy, magnificent sexgod. There's an opening for the position of TA for this class, and your essay will be taken into consideration if you decide to apply. (This is all in good fun, folks. Have fun with the assignment!) The essay is due by the end of class today.

Once you've finished the above assignments, feel free to use the remainder of today's class period to begin your assigned reading for the next lesson."

Assignment for Next Week: Read Aristophanes' Lysistrata

[OOC: A couple of important points. For people in other time zones and with RL concerns, you'll have until Friday each week to make your comments for class. If you know ahead of time you won't be available for a class, just drop me a note in my voicemail and let me know. You're allowed one unexcused absence without penalty. After that, you'll get at F for that lesson unless you arrange with me for make-up work. I don't assign detention unless there's a real problem, so don't be afraid to come and see me about missed classes.]

Class Roster

ihatedenmark

kawalsky

izzyalienqueen

kitty__fetish

lady_jessica_bg

apocalypsesoon

harried_potter

Independent Study (pending admin approval)

future_visions

kikidelivers

EDIT: This class is in need of a TA. If you're interested, please talk to me during class today or stop by my office hours.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Isabel is once again wearing her 'oh, it's a Fandom thing' face. "Yes sir it does."

And since he seems amused she adds with a smile, "And I definitely wasn't talking about the shoemaker."

"I'd definitely be interested in the position," Isabel said.

"Excellent. Give me a couple of days to see if anyone else wants to apply, and then we'll set up a time to talk."

[ooc: You could always get sucked in the evil locker who's number I can't think of -- 317 or something like. *g*]

"No problem sir. My phone number is in the directory."

[ooc: You should suggest that as one of the crazy things that could happen to someone when they get pulled into Locker 327. *g*]

He'd wandered away from the clinic to catch Geoff's western lit class because he really was curious to see the man in the classroom. Watch how he interacted with the students. It wasn't so much the material that interested him, but the presentation.

Shaking his head at himself, House sat down in one of the desks at the back and scribbled the first one hundred words that came to mind, with a mind to use all the words Geoff suggested:

Geoff Chaucer is a handsome, articulate man. He is charming and intellegent and extremely fascinating to talk with. He is dashing not only in appearance but in truth as well. He carries himself with an air of someone who knows what he wants, and will stand strong in the face of any obstacle. He carries with him a droolworthy smile, reminiscent of a magnificent sexgod. Chaucer has a way about him, even the way he walks is sexy. HIs voice can send chills up the spine of a grown man, and the heat of his kiss could spark a wildfire.

[ooc: *considers mentioning it to The Tick for a possible detention scenario*]

Alphonse walks in, signing his name, and picks out a seat.

"I'm Alphonse Elric, a freshman and new to the school. I'm taking this class because I think studying literature would be a nice change of pace for me, especially in a different place. I'm hoping it will be a good experience."

Jessica signs in. She adds, "I'm taking Western Literature because there's no better indication of the nature of a society than their literature. It's the sort of thing I'm interested in."

Jessica looks at Professor Chaucer. "~~Boxers or briefs~~ Do you prefer dramas or comedies when it comes to plays?"

She then looks at Harry. "That's an interesting scar on your forehead. Is there a story behind it or has it always been there?"

He wasn't too familiar with the Professor, for he had never met the man before today, but Alphonse wrote down his first assumptions about his teacher.

I don’t know the teacher all that well, but so far he looks to be a promising one. He studies literature, so he’s probably a very well read person who enjoys what he does. People who read a lot sometimes come out to be intelligent and enjoyable people to be around, so maybe Professor Chaucer will end up being so as well.

Our professor being Chaucer of the Canterbury Tales, I would hesitate to think that he is anything other than intelligent and articulate. Otherwise I would be forced to believe that Western literature isn’t quite as literary as thought.

Having met him, I must admit he is handsome and charismatic. Unfortunately, I cannot attest to his status as a magnificent sex god ~~because Leto is my one twoo wuv, dontcha know~~, but although I am not qualified to class him as such, no one seems to be too unhappy about being in a relationship with him.

Geoff considers the question seriously before responding. "~~Neither.~~ While I do want to point out that both have excellent qualities, I myself prefer a good comedy."

Kawalsky signed in and, when the time came, introduced himself. "Hey. I'm Charlie Kawalsky. I'm a junior. I'm taking this class because.." He grinned sheepishly. "I need the English credit for graduation."

Charlie answered Isabel's question. "All over the place. I'm an ex-military brat. But I call New York home."

Kawalsky turned to

kitty__fetish to ask a question. "What's your favorite piece of clothing?"

He then asked Professor Chaucer a question. "How do you get your hair to look like that every day?" His own hair just never behaved.

Looking a little puzzled, as if he'd never contemplated the question before, Geoff says, "I...really don't do anything. Wash it, like everyone else does, I assume. I suppose it just grows that way."

Kawalsky tries to avoid using contractions as much as possible, even though he doesn't know what the word 'contraction' means in this context.

Professor Chaucer is blonde, not really all that tall when you think about it, but has a strong presence and an accent. He knows the English language really well, I think, but I ~~don't~~ do not know how handles modern slang since ~~it's~~ it is really confusing. I have heard he is a good teacher, and since his stuff is still known really well today where I come from, I figure he has to be good at what he does. I do not know what else to say because I do not know Professor Chaucer very well, but I guess I will learn more about him from being in his class.

"Oh, okay. It looks good. Sits well."

*Hamlet gets into class a little late. He sees that most of the other students have arrived, and quickly signs in.*

I'm Hamlet. I took Professor Chaucer's creative writing class last semester, although the canon of western literature was the one I truly wanted to enroll in~~, what with being a part of it and all~~. I hope that we cover a variety of interesting texts this semester.

"Welcome, Alphonse, both to the class and to Fandom High. I hope as well that you'll enjoy the class."

"Welcome, Jessica. You've got a very good read on one of the vital roles of literature in society. I think you'll enjoy this class."

Geoff laughs. "Welcome to Western Lit, Charlie. That's a perfectly acceptable reason to take the class, although I have high hopes that with the broad spectrum of material we'll be covering, you'll find something that interests you as well."

[Geoff calls everyone by his/her first name unless told otherwise. If you prefer 'Kawalsky' and don't want to spend all semester being called 'Charlie', you might want to mention it to him. :)]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 3

Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson One

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: ESSAYS

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: SIGN IN

Re: SIGN IN

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: ESSAYS

Re: ESSAYS

Re: TALK TO THE PROFESSOR

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: SIGN IN

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: ESSAYS

Re: ASKING QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT

Re: SIGN IN

Re: SIGN IN

Re: SIGN IN

Re: SIGN IN