Reading Assignments

In Meyer: Chapters 37 AND 38: all, with special attention to Trifles.

Online: "A Jury of Her Peers" (do not try to substitute the reading on Meyer page 942--it's not the complete version.  The link has the complete version.

Listen to a dramatization of "A Jury of Her Peers" online  

You'll need Windows Media Player or RealOne for this; there is a link at the site.

AND A Raisin in the Sun 1370-1435

Although we will not study Greek or Shakespearean drama this semester, you will find the opening remarks in chapters 39 and 40 enlightening as to the history of theater.  I suggest you read this information in the event you want to refer to any of it as you write about drama. 

We will be studying Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, and I would like you to rent that film AFTER you read the play--it is essential to your understanding of the play and drama in general that you read the play first as you will get a great sense of the stage directions and other elements of drama when you read it.  Watching the film will then be far more enjoyable as you will know the story and you can view analytically the director's and actors' interpretation of the play.  As best you can, you should follow along in your text as the play is performed.  Libraries may also have the film.  Sierra College has a copy of the film.  

Please note: every semester one or two students write essays based on one of the film versions rather than on both reading the play and watching the film--this is cheating, and it is always clear in these essays that the play has not been read.

Essay Assignment 2

Discussion Assignments (2)

(1) By Monday, June 20  at 10 PM On the Drama Discussion Board choose two of the five questions and post 7-10 sentences in answer to each of your choices.  To get participation credit, make sure you stay in the right thread.  (Read and reply to others by Tuesday June 21)

(2) By Wednesday, June 22 on the Drama Discussion Board: 12 sentences minimum:

Discuss the title of A Raisin in the Sun and the connection with Langston Hughes poem printed right before the play.  By Thursday, June 23: Read and respond to your classmates (5 sentences minimum), posting a thoughtful reply to the entries above and below yours.

Writing Assignments

Reading Journal 2 (due Tuesday 6/21 at 10 PM)

300-500 words: Identify and discuss the following elements of drama as they apply to A Raisin in the Sun:

Exposition
Conflict
Plot
Subplot
Protagonist
Antagonist
The pyramidal pattern
Foil 
Theme

Essay 2 You will take this essay through the Peer Review Process, so the rough draft will be posted Thursday by 10 PM, the peer reviews by Friday at 10 PM and the final draft submitted by Sunday at 10 PM.

Reading Quiz  2 Quizzes for this unit.

Look for the quizzes under Course Documents on Blackboard.

One is on Trifles and the other is on the Elements of Drama.  Both are available from June 17 through June 26 at midnight.

Warning: do not launch either quiz until you are ready to take it as there are absolutely no retakes.  The quiz will lock you out and will not record any items if you exceed the allotted time, close the browser window, or disconnect from the Internet while you are taking the quiz.

Reading  Ahead

You should have started The Awakening.  Don't leave this until the last minute

You may order the novel online
OR you may read the novel online