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All Courses

European Literature (Vorozhko)

ENG 101/102

European Literature (Vorozhko)

  • Course ID:ENG 101/102
  • Semesters:2
  • Department:English
  • Teachers:Anton Vorozhko

Description and Objectives

This course is a philosophical study of western civilization by way of some of its most foundational literary and historical texts—from the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of Napoleon.  This course seeks to cultivate praesentia animi, a virtue of classical antiquity prized by medieval and early modern thinkers that translates as “presence of mind.”  Through exposure to these great works, students will strengthen their ability to read closely, write and speak clearly, and think lucidly.

Textbooks

  • The Aeneid and excerpts from The Georgics by Virgil
  • Beowulf
  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
  • Prologue to the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
  • Henry V and various sonnets by William Shakespeare
  • Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe
  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  • A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Course Requirements

Students should expect daily reading assignments, weekly quizzes, writing assignments and tests, and periodic evaluations of their reading and class notes.  In addition, students will be required to memorize and to recite key passages from the texts.  The final grade each quarter will be based on a point system.  The points will consist of the following:

  • End-of-Book-Exams (at the end of each literary text, up to 100 points each)
  • Quizzes (25 points each)
  • Writing Tests: Essays, Poems, Descriptions (20 points each)
  • Recitations (two per quarter, 20 points each)
  • Seminar Discussions (20 points each)
  • Class and Reading Notes (periodically checked each quarter)
  • Class participation

Successful Students

  • The successful student must maintain daily reading and writing schedules and avoid waiting for deadlines to complete work.  Reading and writing, which is spaced out over a proper amount of time, allows for adequate mental digestion, more effective intellectual nourishment, and more advanced writing instruction.
  • Successful students will consult with the instructor frequently to discuss the texts, as well as rough drafts. I am available outside of class and will make myself available for extra help whenever an appointment is needed.  I encourage parents to contact me with any questions or concerns either by email or phone.

At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will have a solid grasp of the literary and historical antecedents for our own modern era.  He will also be able to speak and write his thoughts more clearly.  The successful student will leave the course after making strides in those virtues especially concerned with presence of mind.