DISCUSSION PROMPT(400 words min)
This week you will be reading the first 10 chapters of Homer’s Odyssey. You can find a link to the text in the week one required readings resources area. Here is a link to the free version: http://johnstoniatexts.x10host.com/homer/odysseyabridgedhtml.html (Links to an external site.)
This course is about what it means to be human. The first week will focus on what it means to be at home on Earth. In this discussion, I would like you all to discuss things that you find interesting or meaningful in the readings related to the concept of HOME. You can also use the space to discuss things that are difficult to understand in an attempt to interpret things more clearly together. In addition, think about ways that what you are learning relates to your own life and to other things you have learned at Ashford. Make sure that you consistently reference the material from the Odyssey as you participate throughout the week. General responses are acceptable, but to get all the points you will need to show that you have deeply examined the text.
DISCUSSION QUESTION
This week you will be reading the Greek tragedies Agamemnon and Medea.
Here are links to the readings for week two
Medea: http://johnstoniatexts.x10host.com/euripides/medeahtml.html (Links to an external site.)
Agamemnon: http://johnstoniatexts.x10host.com/aeschylus/agamemnonhtml.html (Links to an external site.)
The course you are taking is about what it means to be human and the experiences that we all have as humans. This week we will be looking at the human experience of pain, suffering, and tragedy. Relate your posts and analysis to the readings for the week, and use direct quotes to support your points. In this discussion, I would like you all to discuss things that you find interesting or meaningful in the readings related to tragedy. In addition, think about ways that what you are learning relates to your own life. Some guiding questions are listed here. DO NOT ANSWER ALL OF THEM:
· Why do humans create tragedies, and why are we attracted to seeing suffering?
· What is your response to Agamemnon or Medea? What can we learn from them?
· What passages resonated with you and why did you find them meaningful?
· What is the human experience of tragedy?
