History 102g

Monday, January 21, 2008

Blog Assignment 1

By Thursday 8pm, post a paragraph response to the following:

How do you see the readings diverging from and converging with your ideas about the Middle Ages? Use our discussion from last Friday as a jumping off point.

Also, pose a question about the readings for us to discuss further in class on Friday.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Hello: On Friday I failed to complete my thought concerning women and how they were absent (except his very visible Mother) from Augustine's text - The 600 hundred pound gorilla(s) in the book are women! Augustine is in a constant struggle with his lust for women. At every turn he's confessing his inability to turn to God and receive God's salvation because he is unable to release the yoke of his passion for women. Imagine the power of women: God's words - famous bishops - confessions/conversions to God from other companions - his mother's tears - his best friend's death - NOTHING can convince Augustine that God's love and comfort can be better for him than his love of women. Amazing! Women have all the power in this book; though hardly a full sentence is dedicated to any one women or her place in his life. Go Patriots.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Friday's Discussion Sections

Both 9am Friday discussion sections will meet in VKC205. If you are in the 10am section, go to Oasis and switch to either the 9am or noon sections ASAP. See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

NO CLASS ON MONDAY!

Remember no class on Monday Jan 21st. Let's all eat cake! Like this lovely Sutton Hoo Helmet cake...

Readings
Wednesday: Athanasius, Life of Anthony, Sulpicius Severus, Life of St. Martin. These can both be found in your Early Christian Lives book.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Readings for the week of Jan 14th-18th

The Confessions of St. Augustine
Wednesday Books 1-4
Friday Books 4-8, Handouts: Conversion of Constantine

Welcome to the blog

Hello! Welcome to our blog for History 102g. Feel free to post any time. All we ask is that you try to stay on topic and that you always be respectful of others. Stacey and I will be posting an assignment each week that will be due Thursday evening by 8pm. We will also post the assigned readings so that you always know what is going on in class.

Discussion Section Syllabus

History 102g, Medieval Civilization Discussion Section Syllabus

Fridays 9am, 12pm

TAs: Stacey Lutkoski & Ericka Swensson

Email: staceybl@usc.edu, emswensson@yahoo.com

Office: Shrine Offices

Welcome to the discussion section for History 102g. Discussion sections will examine and elaborate on the material presented through the lectures and readings. These classes will help us work through difficult concepts and problematize historical issues. As stated in the course syllabus, the discussion sections are worth 20% of your total course grade. Half of your discussion section grade will be determined by performance in the section itself. In order to receive full credit you need to be present at every class with the readings in hand, be an active participant, and demonstrate a familiarity with the sources.

Cell phone calls, tardiness, inappropriate use of laptops, and other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and will adversely affect your grade.

Attendance is mandatory. Consult the course syllabus for more information on the attendance policy and penalties.

The second half of your discussion section grade will depend upon your performance in our class blog. Please email Ericka if you have not yet been added to the blog. This is your responsibility, and we will not be held responsible for your negligence. Each week we will post an assignment by Monday evening. You must post a thoughtful paragraph response on the blog by Thursday at 8pm. Late postings will not be accepted. We encourage you to use the blog not only as a place to express your ideas but also as a discussion forum by responding to your classmates’ postings. Your post should neither be a “fact” oriented question/ comment nor a question concerning the content of the works themselves, i.e.: a question that requires outside sources to answer. Rather, your response statement should deal exclusively with the contents of the texts themselves. Also, make sure that you cite the page(s) used for your question or comment.

This syllabus is subject to change. We will communicate with you outside of class primarily through email, and it is your responsibility to check your account regularly for pertinent information. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact either one of us.

Any student requiring academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained by DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to us as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.