1 Description
For five of the course’s seven units, you’re going to compose a commentary on the material from that unit. Commentaries should be 700–900 words long. For each of the commentaries, you’re going to:
- select a passage of interest;
- provide a precise interpretation of it, along with specific textual evidence;
- consider a plausible alternative interpretation; and
- respond to this alternative.
One of the critical purposes of class time is to highlight areas and passage of interest, and describe possible interpretations of it, which is just one of the many reasons why regular attendance is essential.
Commentaries will be graded for completion only. A complete commentary accomplishes each of the four requirements stipulated above.
For the schedule of commentaries, see the course outline.
2 Rubric
Commentaries are graded for completion; you get either a 1 (worth 6% toward your final grade) for a completed commentary or a 0 (worth 0%, of course). A complete commentary:
- engages directly with a relevant text;
- offers an interpretation;
- outlines an objection; and
- responds to that objection.
Commentaries must be at least 700 words to be accepted for completion.