150-100BC, Nash Papyrus                 Genesis 26:35-27:30, Aleppo Codex, 10th century     Gilgamesh, Flood Tablet, Neo-Assyrian, 7th century BC

PREPARATION FOR TODAY'S CLASS

Reading:

Genesis 1-10 (Special focus: Genesis 1-3): Genesis.pdf

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSZg5DTW7Hw 

Optional Reading, Epic of Gilgamesh: http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/

Preparation Questions for Discussion: 

*What is a creation story?

*What does each text say about the origin of the world? Humanity?

*What is similar about these two texts?

*How does each text approach the concept of death? Is the Near Eastern approach to death similar or dissimilar from the biblical approach to death?

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AFTERNOON/EVENING

Writing Sat. 8/18

1. Review and discuss Final Course Essay.

In an essay of 2-4 pages, explore a critical question that is important to one or two of the readings for the course. Your essay will: 1) Identify how the question surfaces in the work or works; 2) Explain why the question is important to the work(s); and 3) Make an original argument that assesses the author(s) effectiveness in addressing the question.

2. Brainstorm for course essay. As a class, discuss broad questions students can explore in their essays. Review of primary texts: where in a given work could the student begin to engage these questions?

3. Students begin to draft their essays. TAs provide individual assistance as needed.

4. Save time to begin reading MEDITATIONS. As a class, do a close read of the first paragraph in the afternoon session and discuss the specific terms of Descartes' project AS HE DESCRIBES IT.

Preparation for the next day

1. Carefully read AT LEAST the first two books of MEDITATIONS. Read further if you have time.