What is Islam? (extra credit)

One of the student from my 10:00 session will be giving a presentation on Islam this week (Tuesday, April 19, 8:03 p.m. in the Centennial room.  I will give you a few extra credit points for going to the presentation and adding your comments here. 

What did you learn from the presentation?  Note in particular anything you learned that might help as you prepare a potential essay response to the generalization that Muhammad created "one of the world's most attractive and compelling religions"? 

Machiavelli (extra credit)

Please read Chapters 15-19 of Machiavelli's The Prince (either pp. 84-104 of the Signet edition or at the link below).

Add a comment or two here giving your impressions of Machiavelli. Try to say something that would help another students trying to prepare on essay on Renaissance achievements.

http://www.fordham.edu/HALSALL/basis/machiavelli-prince.html

Pico Della Mirandola (extra credit)

Renaissance humanists had a very positive view of mankind. They greatly appreciated past human achievements, and had an exceptionally high view of human potential . Read through some of Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man. Cite a line or two that particular well illustrates Pico's "humanism," i.e., either his appreciation for the past or his optimism about human potential. As an alternative, just cite a line that you particularly like from this work and explain why you like it.

Joan of Arc (extra credit)

There are many fascinating stories connected with the Hundred Years' War and, fortunately for us, some good translations of some of the best source material for this period.  We have, for instance this account of the trial of Joan of Arc.  Read through the selection and note what you find particularly interesting or important.

Boccaccio's account of the Black Death (extra credit)

Read Boccaccio's account of the plague in Florence at the link below. What can you tell about Boccaccio's values and concerns from this account? In what ways might seeing the kinds of things he describes affect his writing and his general view of life?

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/decameronintro.html

Heloise and Abelard (extra credit)

Choose one or two of the letters of Heloise and Abelard at the link here. What did you find particularly interesting in these letters?  Does anything particularly surprise you?

Get Involved--More Opportunities

A couple of upcoming events that I'd highly recommend and that I'd give you an extra credit point or two for attending:

1.  On Thursday, March 17, from 6-8 p.m.,  LaDonna Brave Bull Allard will be sharing some of her stories in the Rotunda (Round Room) of the Williams Library.  If you are interested in Native American tradition, you should enjoy LaDonna's stories.  Here's a link to here website.

2.  On Sunday, March 20, at 4:00 p.m., Derek VandrTop (woodwinds)  and Katie Wegleitner (vocalist) will be giving a joint senior recital in Krikac auditorium.  Derek is a fantastic jazz musician, and Katie has a wonderful voice. For music lovers, this is a recital not to be missed.

3.  NSU jazz concert.  This was also on Thursday, March 17.  My music students didn't remind me about this one, but, if you were there, you can add your comments to the post here.

4.  You can add here also comments on other events announced on the chalkboard in MJ 101.

 

Trojan Women (extra credit)

Please read Euripides' Trojan Women either at the link here or (probably better) in Moses Hadas' Greek Drama (available at the bookstore).

The Greeks regarded the words of their great playwrights as "theopneutos," i.e., God-breathed. Do you agree?  Cite a line or two from the play that might show why the Greeks regarded writers like Euripides as almost equivalent to prophets and explain why you find this line/these lines inspired or inspiring. Do you see here a line worth committing to memory?

Daniel--Extra Credit

Please read Chapter 1-7 and Chapter 12 of Daniel. What do you see in the stories that might have helped Ancient Israel provide ethical guidance or emotional fulfillment?  What do you see here that show something about how Ancient Israel taught the world "new ways to dream"?

Get Involved! (extra credit)

I like to encourage my students to participate in extra-curricular events whenever they have time. I especially like to encourage to get involved with fine arts events on campus, and I occasionally give an extra credit point or two to students who participate in these events.

I'd like to particularly encourage you to participate in some of the events coming up in the next two weeks.

• Noon Forums.  Most Wednesdays this semester, there will be a Noon Forum sponsored by Faculty Senate and the OIS.  On Wednesday, February 3, the Forum will feature Professor Ken Blanchard and Corey Heidelberger.  Forum title: The Battle of the Bloggers.  On Wednesday, February 10, Professor Sara Schmidt will be talking about how to handle a bad hair day!  The forums are held in the Williams Library rotunda.
• NSU play (Gideon's Knot).  Performances are Wednesday through Saturday (February 10-14 at 7:30 p.m. in the NSU Centennial Rooms.  Shows are free with your NSU ID.
•  Faculty recitals/senior recitals.  Professor Audrey Miller will give a recital at 7:30 on Thursday, February 4.  Professors Darci Bultema and Marla Fogderud will be giving a joint recital on Thursday, February 18.  There are also quite a few senior recitals this spring, usually at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays.  The recitals are generally held in Krikac auditorium.
• Student clubs.  I will also give you credit for attending a meeting of any student organization you haven't been involved with before.  For instance, Tae Kwon Do meets at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Dakotah Hall gym.  Plenty of other opportunities for involvement on campus!

To get your extra credit, click on the "comment" link here.  Note which activity you went to and what you think the highlight of that particular activity was, i.e., the thing you found most memorable, most enjoyable, or most worthwhile.

 

Maxims of Ptah Hotep (extra credit)

The Maxims of Ptah Hotep reflect well the values of Old Kingdom Egypt, showing us how that society provided ethical guidance to its members.  Please skim through the maxims and pick out one you find particularly interesting.  Do you think this good advice, or not?  Is it in any way applicable today?