Monthly Archives: September 2012

Secondary Literature Discussion Questions

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Tobias

Now that you have all been paired with a critical essay on Marco Polo’s Travels, it’s time to prepare for Tuesday’s group discussions. As you study your article, keep in mind what you have learned about academic writing from of They Say, … Continue reading →

Posted in Marco Polo's Travels, Notes and Information | Comments Off on Secondary Literature Discussion Questions

Secondary Literature Assignments for Tuesday

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Tobias

For Tuesday, we will be taking a break from our reading of Marco Polo to delve more deeply into our study of secondary literature and into the question of what kind of text exactly the Divisament dou monde might be. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Marco Polo's Travels, Notes and Information | 16 Comments

Asia in 1260

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Tobias

Here’s a copy of the map I showed you in class today, showing the geopolitical situation in central and Eastern Asia in 1260, Marco Polo’s father Niccolo and his uncle Maffeo set out on their first journey to the court … Continue reading →

Posted in Marco Polo's Travels | Comments Off on Asia in 1260

Travelin’ Man

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Lelia

Ironically, although we’ve turned our backs on The Odyssey and started a new literary voyage in The Travels, I can’t help but make constant comparisons between these two works as I read The Travels. They are both books about traveling, … Continue reading →

Posted in Marco Polo's Travels, Student Generated | 9 Comments

How much is too much?

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Laura

The gods of Odysseus’ time had a much more ubiquitous influence than any twenty-first mind-set can fully grasp. The subjects of art (both visual and musical), the beneficiaries of countless sacrifices, and the recipients of ceaseless prayers and demands, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Odyssey, Student Generated | 5 Comments

Disguises of Ambush vs. Disguises of Survival

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Ivana

In the Odyssey, it has been made clear that disguises and deception are important components of the Greeks’ way of living. Deception was used at Troy with the Trojan horse, allowing Odysseus and the Greeks to prevail. It is used … Continue reading →

Posted in Odyssey, Student Generated | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Rare Photo of Mongolian Hordes Discovered

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Tobias

Allie was kind enough to share this picture from our excursion to the Chicago Field Museum.  Looking forward to our discussion of Marco Polo later this month!

Posted in Marco Polo's Travels | Comments Off on Rare Photo of Mongolian Hordes Discovered

First Paper Conferences

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Tobias

For your convenience, I’m posting the schedule for the paper conferences on your rough drafts below.  If you’re not on the list yet, please send me an email and let me know whether you can make it at one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Notes and Information | Comments Off on First Paper Conferences

Athena: Enforcer or Creator of Fate?

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Erin

Although this blog post may seem a little untraditional, there’s one topic I am extremely interested in diving into: Athena and her role in the actions of the characters. In Greek mythology, the Gods played an immense role in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Odyssey, Student Generated | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Homecoming?

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Caitlin

I found Odysseus’ long-awaited return to Ithaka both surprising and a little awkward when I first read it. For nearly two decades, he’s “longed for wife and home,” and now finally he’s there, but stuck in an old beggar’s body … Continue reading →

Posted in Odyssey, Student Generated | 1 Comment