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Classics 28: Classical Mythology, Spring 2008
GSI: Cai Thorman
Email: cthorman@berkeley.edu
Phone: 916 595 7232
Office Hours: M 4-5, F 1:30-2:30, or by appointment
Office: 359A Dwinelle
Discussion Sections:
(101) M 2-3; 83 Dwinelle
(106) M 5-6; 105 Dwinelle
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I. Assignment
II. Paper Topic
III. Tips for Paper Topic Proposal
IV. Resources for Topics
V. Annotated Bibliography
VI. Thesis Statement
VII. Outline Option
VIII. Using Evidence
IX. Citing Sources
X. Grading Rubric
~ help! ~
II. Instructions for submitting paper topic:
1. Include your name, SID, and section
2. Write one or two paragraphs describing the topic you would like to write
about
3. Be very specific about what interests you
4. Explain the purpose of your paper
5. Define your topic with 1) a specific question you will address 2) an approach
3) limits for your topic and research 4) a general organization for your paper
and 5) a few key sources to ensure you can do it.
See TIPS below for more explanation.
You can submit this to me by e-mail or at an office hour, but you must get an official approval before March 3.
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III. Tips for the Paper Topic Proposal:
Here are some tips that may help you define your paper topic.
1. Get interested. Go through the class readings and lecture notes and jot down anything that seems interesting to you.
2. Figure out why. Once you have a list, try to verbalize why you find these topics interesting.
3. Ask questions. Next, turn these “reasons” for being interested into questions you want answered.
4. Make a single question. Now, consolidate and refine your curiosity into ONE very specific question that your paper will address.
> The question must be a question that is answerable with the resources
and evidence available to you. This will require some initial research.You may
have the best luck with a question you think you know the answer to (that you
have a theory for)… but you should be prepared to be wrong !!
> In order to answer the question, ideally you should also be able to research
the material you are interested in researching (for instance, if you are most
interested in art history, make sure your question ensures that you will be
comparing or analyzing artwork) .
> It should be possible to verbalize your question in a single, grammatical
sentence. This ensures that you have focus.
>This question (i.e. your answer to it) will eventually help you formulate
your thesis statement.
5. Figure out an approach. Once you have your question, figure out how you will attack it. There are often a number of ways you can attempt to answer a question, so how you decide to answer it is as big an issue as the question itself. (E.g. Will you analyze texts, artwork? Will you compare two things, four things, look for discrepancies, similarities? Will you look for trends? Will you build on previous research or theories? Will you test a new theory? etc)
6. Define your limits. Once you know your approach, decide how you will limit the material you will include so you don’t become overwhelmed. You can limit yourself by time period, by geographical area, by theme, by examples, by category, etc. Consider the length of your paper and the time you have to write it.
7. Organize. Decide how you will organize your paper. Will you organize your argument and evidence chronologically, thematically, by one general comparison or several small ones, as a logical progression, as a tour through a site, museum, or daily routine, or some other way?
8. Sources. Find a few key sources that ensure you can actually write this paper.
9. Propose. Once you have determined your question, your approach, your limits, how you will organize your paper, and a few key sources… you are ready to write your Paper Topic Proposal.
***
An example of a very specific (and somewhat complicated) question that might possibly be answered in 6-8 pages:
-Is there textual or artistic evidence that the status of goddesses like Artemis and Athena as virgins, or that of the priestesses of, for instance, Artemis or Vesta (Roman Hestia), somehow qualified these females to perform traditional male roles (in war, hunting, and the administration of justice) - and if so, is it possible to determine why?
or perhaps a better angle:
-For a female, what was the significance of public status as a virgin in Greek and Roman mythology and culture?
My own (rather simple) Master's thesis question:
-How did "Greek" ruler cult suddenly explode in Anatolia under Alexander the Great when there was no convincing precedent for it in ancient Greece itself?
(it took 80 pages to answer this one)
>>> Generally, the more specific your question, the more likely you can write a coherent, focused response to it... (e.g. in 6-8 pages)
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IV. Resources for choosing a topic:
Art History/Classics library resources for Classics
Electronic Resources: Classics (check out the list on the left)
For short essays about mythology and the ancient world, do searches on:
The Oxford Classical Dictionary (scroll down)
Oxford
Reference Online (includes The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization, The
Concise Oxford Companion to Classical Literature, Who's Who in the Classical
World, The Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World)
Encyclopedia
Mythica
In the REFERENCE SECTION of Doe library :
Browse the "D - DG" reference sections
**Civilization of the Ancient Mediterranean: Greece and Rome (topical essays on Greek and Roman culture [i.e. religion] - this is great): REF. DE59.C55 1988
The New Pauly (encyclopedia of the ancient world - topics alphabetically): REF. DE5 .N4813 2006
The Cambridge Ancient History series (essays on the history and culture of the ancient world - use the index for keywords or check out the Table of Contents online): REF. D57 .C26
In the general stacks:
The Blackwell Companions (to the Classical Greek World, Hellenistic World, Roman Republic, Roman Empire, Near East, etc) - these have topical essays like "religion"-- look up in the online catalog
The Cambridge Companions (to Archaic Greece, the Age of Pericles, the Hellenistic World, the Roman Republic, the Age of Augustus) - also topical essays -- look up in the online catalog
And don't forget JSTOR!! http://www.jstor.org
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For the definition of an annotated bibliography, see: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm
The format for your bibliographical entries should be:
Shelton, K. 2000. "Chamber Tombs from Mycenae," Arch Ephemeris. 22-50. (journal article)
Graves, R. 1992. The Greek Myths. London. (book)
Citations will be in the Harvard system within the text: (Shelton 2000: 27-30)
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It will take quite a bit of research to get to the point where you really feel you can answer your central question. But once you have your answer, you will be ready to write your thesis statement.
The following websites are extremely helpful for writing a thesis statement:
http://academic.bowdoin.edu/WritingGuides/thesis.htm
this is an excellent explanation and step-by-step walkthrough of how to write
a thesis statement
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
this explains clearly the difference between a weak and a strong thesis
http://ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.html
this is a fun, but also extremely useful, “automatic
thesis builder”
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I have received the okay from Professor Shelton to offer you the option of turning in a thesis statement and (very) detailed outline of your paper instead of a first draft on April 14.
If you have concerns about grammar, syntax, or anything concerning the actual writing of the paper, feel free to turn in an entire draft of the paper.
If you would prefer to focus on the structure of your paper and turn in an outline, then what I will need is this:
1. An introductory paragraph including your thesis statement
2. An outline of your paper (in proper outline form) that includes:
a. a fully detailed breakdown of your argument for each section
b. all of your evidence and examples listed where they will be included, with full references
3. A conclusion paragraph
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40% of the grade you will receive for this paper is based on how effectively you use evidence and examples from primary sources (ancient texts about mythology, artwork, archaeology) and from secondary sources (modern historical and literary analysis).
I highly recommend that you read the information on this site:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/evidence_use.html
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It is extraordinarily important to cite sources for ideas and important evidence. Why? Because otherwise your argument or the legitimacy of your facts may become suspect.
When do we cite sources?
1. When information is not generally accepted (it is accepted if you
can find it written the same way in three different general sources like an
encyclopedia)
2. When the reader may be unfamiliar with the material you are discussing
3. When you are taking the idea from someone else’s
work
4. When evidence is significant to your argument
5. When you are paraphrasing or quoting a sentence from someone
else’s publication
6. When the information has an important context, or your reader may
want to know its original location to learn more
What kind of sources should you quote?
• AVOID ELECTRONIC RESOURCES if you can…
- Because they are generally viewed as unreliable and/or a sign of laziness
in academic circles (even if they are not!)
- Because unless they are an electronic version of a published book, they have
not been REVIEWED
(Only one website reference will be allowed on the term paper, and it must be
accessible throught the UCB Library website)
• Go for LIBRARY BOOKS because they have undergone a three-stage REVIEW
PROCESS
- Publishing review
- Journal reviews (you can look these up for books, they often give very helpful
summaries and/or additional information: JSTOR)
- Library collection
• Go for reviewed JOURNALS
- those in the library collection
- and those on JSTOR or in
the library's electronic
search engines
Format:
Citations will be in the Harvard system within the text: (Shelton 2000: 27-30). See Professor Shelton's instructions.
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Grading Checklist for Term Paper
(100 points)
Ideas (25 points) _______
Thesis specifically and deliberately stated
Insightful and perceptive approach
Shows independence and clarity of thought
Logically consistent and plausible argument
Appropriate title
Organization and Coherence (20 points) _______
Introduction establishes context and makes argument clear
Points organized into coherent paragraphs with clear, discrete organization
All paragraphs stay on topic
Conclusion effectively summarizes ideas and discusses implications briefly
Use of Evidence
(40 points) _______
Supports argument with concrete examples and precise detail
from primary sources
All evidence is interweaved in where necessary and effective
If relevant, uses secondary works appropriately and critically
Quotes, paraphrases, and summarizes texts carefully
Acceptable citation format, applied consistently where necessary
Style and Mechanics (15 points) _______
Vocabulary is precise
Sentences are varied, graceful, and purposeful
Complete sentences (No sentence fragments or run-on sentences)
Proper verb tense and subject-verb agreement
Proper syntax
Correct spelling and punctuation
Pagination
HELP! If you need help writing English or if you know you have difficulties with usage or grammar, I highly recommend that you take advantage of tutorials and workshops for writing through the Student Learning Center: http://slc.berkeley.edu/writing/index.htm
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