The History of Interpretation
 

Rhetoric 20 Summer 1998. 6/22-8/14 MTWTh 10-12, 219 Dwinelle.
Section: Th 12-1. 182 Dwinelle. Internet newsgroup: ucb.class.rhet20


John Paulin (Instructor). Office: 7315 Dwinelle. 
Forrest Hartman (TA)		 Instructor's web site: http://itp.berkeley.edu/~jpaulin. 
Email jpaulin@itp.berkeley.edu

In this course we will investigate how our views of reality are extensions of our use of language. Starting with an examination of the mythology of the Bible, the Greeks and others, we will consider the similarities of mythological thought to other ways of thinking including allegory. From these beginnings in antiquity, we will consider the persistence of mythology and allegory in Medieval Christian writers such as Chaucer and Dante, among  Romantic writers including William Blake and Mary Shelley, down through the more recent works of Zora Neale Hurston and Thomas Pynchon.  In addition to these literary works, we will also look to the media of popular culture including print and television journalism, film (four to be shown during class sessions), the Internet, the World Wide Web and folklore.  This interpretive Odyssey will be informed by selections from thinkers on the nature of myth, allegory and interpretation generally including Friedrich Nietzsche,  Max Horkheimer and  Theodor Adorno, Roland Barthes, Susan Sontag and others.   Depending on class interest and involvement, class chat rooms and Web pages are a possibility.

Depending on class interest and involvement, class chat rooms and Web pages are a possibility.
*Grading*
The final grade will be based upon written work--and since this is a discussion course as well as a lecture course--class participation and regular attendance. I will take attendance, and repeated absences will affect your final grade. A good attendance record will help. There will be no final exam.

You don't have to understand everything, just make an honest attempt at understanding be assigned readings. Possibility of easy quizzes.
 
*Homework*
Biweekly 1/2-1 pp. responses (typed or hand-written) to study questions provided by instructor must be submitted on reading and/or viewing assignments. Alternatively, students may write on subjects that pertain to matters of interest to them. These will not be graded; be casual or be brilliant, but be honest. Honesty and brilliance will be noted. Consistent excellent performance will raise your grade These assignments are for public consumption and must be submitted by the beginning of the class for which they have been assigned.. EITHER post to our internet user group OR bring original along with a xerox copy for a peer to read. Homeworks may eventually take the form of dialogues or Email exchanges between participants. I do encourage extracurricular cooperation study groups and informal brain storming sessions.
* Sample Homework Assignments*
        Homework will include at least one Web Project, a search of the Internet or World Wide Web for material of relevance both to the critical and philosophical interests of  the course and to contemporary cultural phenomena. This entails a search of the Web or Internet and a brief review of the findings. Those without computer access may glean material from other venues such as print or broadcast journalism, commercial advertisements, posters, leaflets, personal interviews and the like.  
 *Sample Web Projects*
 
          The homework  requirement is to assist you in the timely completion of reading and viewing assignments and in the development of ideas for papers--please take it seriously. Required except when otherwise noted.

         Computer access at various micro centers and Email Accounts (and, possibly, web pages) are available for class members.
 
 
* Paper Requirements *
* Two papers due Monday 7/13 & LDC, Thursday 8/13. 8-10 pp. Each.

Papers are due on specified dates. If you are having real personal, medical, or academic difficulties, speak to me about special arrangements.

* Students are required to make a copy of each paper before submitting the original.

* 10 CPI or 12 CPI, (don't use fonts that are larger or smaller) letter quality or EASILY LEGIBLE near letter quality.

* DOUBLE SPACED. (27 LINES/PAGE)

* Please staple and indicate page numbers.

* First paper to be submitted with the second in SASE.

* Please, NO high school BOOK REPORTS (plot summaries). This is a college course.
 
 
*** Films ***
In our unrelenting pursuit of matters of cultural interest in media beyond literature, we will be watching some films. Since this is a serious academic exercise, the viewing of assigned movies is mandatory. For your convenience and your viewing pleasure, I have reserved the plush comfort of the 117 Dwinelle AV Projection room and its big screen video projector. Bring friends. Those who cannot attend these screenings are encouraged to watch them at home in the company of friends and family or alone in the basement of Moffet on small screens, on hard, uncomfortable chairs and with army surplus (cold war issue) head phones. Four to be shown during class sessions on selected Thursdays in 117 Dwinelle.

Rashomon 6/25 10-12

Invasion of the Body Snatchers 7/2 10-12

Birth of a Nation 7/16 10-1

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 8/6 10-12
 
 
*Required Course Materials*
Sophocles, Oedipus the King

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Roland Barthes, Mythologies

Thomas Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49
 
 

Texetera (texts and so forth...)

Additional mythological, religious and critical works in course readers. Material from Television, Newspapers, popular science writing, Internet conspiracy theories, Urban Legends, and other media to be presented on line, on video and in other media.

Readers available at Metro Copy, 2440 Bancroft Ave. West of Wells Fargo, across from Zellerbach Hall.
 
 

***

Reader #1 will be made to order. Since it will take Metro between 1 minute and 2 hours to make your copy, be sure to place your order by 4:00 PM This afternoon.
 


*Homework for Tu 6/23*

Look for similarities between accounts of creation, ancient and modern. Also look for differences in outlooks. 1/2-1 page.
 
 

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