Calendar*
INTG101-13: Introduction to Liberal Arts
"Exemplary Lives"
Professor Cheryl Meeker

• Matriculation: 4:00 pm  - Wallace Hall Plaza

• Orientation 
• REQUIREMENT (if you have not already done so):
  Modern Foreign Language Placement Exams: 1:00 - 2:30 in the Trotter Lab ask your Orientation Leader for help!
   Latin - make arrangements with Professor Sienkewicz - 2371

• Class: McMichael Academic 203 - 9-12 am
• ALWAYS BRING YOUR TEXT TO CLASS!!
• Discussion Topic: "Exemplary Lives" and Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part I: Origins, (Preface-both of them through - pp130 -This was the summer reading! Please bring answers to the questions to class.)
• Reading: some advice - continue to work your way through your texts 25-50 pages in the evenings and over the weekends and you will never get behind. So begin to read Part II of Obama's Dreams- now...and check the calendar further down for when we will discuss each chapter.
   
• Writing Assignment #1:  Autobiographical Essay
  Due Friday [8/31/07]  A copy of the assignment may be found here.
   
• Senator Obama's website - click here
• Senator Obama's views on certain issues - click here
• Senator Obama's speech to the Democratic National Convention - click here and then click on Audio mp3 of Address to listen to the speech
• Senator Obama's Saguaro Seminar webpage - click here
   
•  1:30 - 2:30 pm - Convocation:
  Jeff Rankin - History of Monmouth College
• Location: Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
• [We sit together so click here to find our group's assigned seating in the auditorium.]
• Journal: Write a response to the talk. (If you need to know what is expected for your response, please click here then scroll down to convocation writing C4b. 

• 11am - Convocation:
  Jane Jakoubek, Dean of the College -What is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium

• Journal: Write a précis of the talk. (If you need to know what a précis is please click here then scroll down to convocation writing C4a.  Due tomorrow!)

• 11 am - Class:  McMichael Academic - 203
  Discussion Topic: Journal: Précis from the Liberal Arts Convocation - Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part I: Origins.
• Due:  Essay #1 e-mail topic to Meeker

• Discussion: Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part I: Origins
• This American Life - in order to listen to "A Little Bit of Knowledge," 7/22/05 episode 293 you need to click here and then on the left side of the page click on the full episode.
• Journal:   Write a summary of and your own comments on this episode of This American Life- "A Little Bit of Knowledge." Due Tomorrow!

• 11 am - Class:  McMichael Academic - 203
• Discussion Topic: continue part I and writing assignment exercise.
• Due: Autobiographical Essay #1 for peer editing in class. Please bring your essay and your completed "Autobiographical Essay: Revision Guide." You may find this on-line following the assignment for Essay #1 here.

• 11 am - Class:  McMichael Academic - 203
• Discussion Topic: Obama continue part I
• Journal:  Question #3 from the Summer Reading Questions 2007. Due Today!
• Due: Autobiographical Essay #1

• 11 am - Class:  McMichael Academic - 203
• Discussion Topic:   Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part II: Chicago Chapters 7 - 8
• Journal: Discuss what aspects of Obama's life lead him to the conclusion that his "choices were never truly his own"? (134)Due Today!

• 11 am - Class:  McMichael Academic - 203
• Discussion Topic: Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part II: Chicago Chapters 9 -10
• Journal:  Obama writes that "beneath the sketchy biographies and received opinions people carried within them some central explanation of themselves.  Stories full of terror and wonder studded with events that still haunted or inspired them. Sacred Stories" (190).  What parts of Obama's stories so far do you think are sacred?  What are your sacred stories? 

• 11 am - Class
• Discussion Topic: Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part II: Chicago Chapters 11 -12
• Journal:  During Auma's visit she tells a story about he Old Man that is very different than how he thinks about his father. What would you do if you discovered the things Obama discovers about a family member of yours?  How does Obama respond?

• 11 am - Class
• Discussion Topic:  Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part II Chicago - Chapters 13- 14 
• Journal: What does Obama mean when he discusses the difference between physical fear and internal fear? (253)  Does this help you understand Barak Obama more fully?

• Discussion Topic:  Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part III  Kenya - Chapter 15 -16
• Journal:  In the Kenyatta Airport, Nairobi Kenya Obama believes that  it's the "...first time...I felt comfortable, the firmness of identity" (305).   Explore the reasons he give for this.  Do you believe him if so, why, if not also tell me why.
• Return: Autobiographical Essay #1 for rewrite

• 11am - Convocation:
  Dr. Stephen Price, Academic Honesty

•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
   

• Journal:  Write a response to this convocation. Due Tomorrow!

• 11 am - Class
•  Discussion Topic: Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part III: Kenya  Chapters 17 and 18
• Journal:  Construct a family tree for Obama.

•  Discussion Topic: Barak Obama's, Dreams of My Father Part III: Kenya  Chapters 19 - epilogue and speech 
   
• Due: Revised Autobiographical Essay #1  Include previous versions and the revision guide.) 
• Due: Monday, September 17, 2007 Take-Home Quiz/Essay on Barak Obama's Text

• No Class
• Essay Assignment #2:  Specific assignment may be found here and will also be handed out in class. Dr. C. George Boeree from Shippensburg University in Penn. has written a paper on Erik Erikson's ideas on developmental theory.  You can find it here and you will need to use it as an aid while writing this paper. 

• 11 am - Class- BARNES ELECTRONIC Classroom, Hewes Memorial Library - lower level
• Karen Armstrong. Muhammad: A Prophet for out Time 
• Introduction:  Background Overview of Five Pillars, and Theology of Islam (Dr. Hannah Schell)
• Some resources:
• PBS Timeline of the Prophet Muhammad - click here
• Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad - click here
• The Noble Qu'ran - click here
• Fordham University's Internet Islamic Sourcebook - click here

• no class

• 11 am - Class- BARNES ELECTRONIC Classroom, Hewes Memorial Library - lower level
• Discussion: Karen Armstrong. Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time. Introduction and Chapter 1 (pp1-52)

• 11 am - Class
• .Discussion: Karen Armstrong. Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time. Chapter 2 - "Jahiliyyah," (53-88)

• ILA-Cocurricular Program:  Study Skills/Time Management
• 11 am - Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
• Some tips on-line at: http://www.monm.edu/study-skills/.

• Peoria Mosque (details TBA)

• 11am - Class
• Discussion: Karen Armstrong. Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time. Chapter  3 - "Hijrah" (89-124)

• No Class

• Visual and aesthetic aspects of Islam as well as the aural aspects of the Quran
• Location: BARNES ELECTRONIC Classroom, Hewes Memorial Library - lower level

• 11am - class
• Discussion: Karen Armstrong. Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time. Chapter 4 - "Jihad," (125-164)
   
• Journal: (due today)  Armstrong tells us that Muhammad used traditional aspects of the culture of the Arabs and his own innovations to solidify and improve the position of the Muslims at Medina. Discuss the ways that Muhammad holds onto tradition and the ways he creates change.

• Discussion: Karen Armstrong. Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time. Chapter 5 - "Salam," (165-214)
• Class 11:00 am
• Due: Essay #2 (push it under my door in McMike Academic 214)

• Class Movie on the Prophet Muhammad
• Location: BARNES ELECTRONIC Classroom, Hewes Memorial Library - lower level
• 7-11 pm

• Guest speaker: Dr. Farhat Haq, Professor of Political Science, Monmouth College
• Location: BARNES ELECTRONIC Classroom, Hewes Memorial Library - lower level
   
• Journal: (due today)   Write a journal that indicates the changes in your knowledge of the religion of Islam and Christianity throughout this unit in ILA. Challenge yourself to discover connections between the two.  

• No Class

• 11am - Class
• Exam on Muhammad
• Reading for Thursday: Fanny Kemble's Journals, (pp.0-40)

• 11am - Class
• Discussion: Fanny Kemble's Journals, ed Catherine Clinton - "Introduction and Life on the Stage, 1828-1832" (pp.0-40)
• Journal: Begin this book by defining your ideas about Fanny Kemble's character and remember to give evidence for your ideas about her from the "Introduction" and "Life on the Stage." Don't forget to use in-text notations (#).. Due Today!
• Select assignments for the library exercise! Which may be found here.

• No class

• 11 am  - Meet in the Hewes Library by the check-out desk.
• Library exercise over people in  Kemble's  Journals.
• You may find the assignment here

• 11am - Convocation:
•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
• Chad Pregracke, Living Lands and Waters
• Journal: Write a journal on this convocation.  Use the biography and merge your own responses in to create a journal that discusses Chad Pregracke Due Tomorrow!

• 11 am - Class
• Discussion: Fanny Kemble's Journals, ed Catherine Clinton - "America, 1832-1833," (pp.41-76)
• Journal: Write a journal on "America..." exploring  Kemble's attitudes about America.  Due Today!

• 11 am - Class
• Discussion: Fanny Kemble's Journals, Marriage and Motherhood, 1834-1838
• Journal:  Write a Journal on "Marriage and Motherhood" that distinguishes her concepts as opposed to those our culture might believe are correct for the institution today. Due Today!

• No class

Fall Break Begins at the end of the day

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Discussion: Fanny Kemble's Journals, ed Catherine Clinton - "On the Plantation, 1838-1839,"   (pp. 98-162)
• Journal:  Write a response to the section "On the Plantation..." Due Today!

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Discussion:  Kemble's Journals
•  Fanny Kemble's Journals, ed Catherine Clinton - "Troubled Times, 1840-1867," (pp. 163-189) and
•  Fanny Kemble's Journals, ed Catherine Clinton - "Later Life, 1868-1893,"   (pp. 190-201)
• Journal:  What is the most significant issue for Fanny Kemble in regards to these particular portions of her journals and what is your opinion on this issue? Due Today!
• Essay #3: Assignment may be found here. Due Monday, November 5, 2007.

• ILA-Cocurricular Program:  Wackerle Career & Leadership Poling Hall - Morgan Room - 11:00 am

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Due: Library Assignment Presentations (You may find the assignment and presentation evaluation here.)

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Due: Library Assignment Presentations.

• Class: 11:00 a.m
• Due: Library Assignment Presentations

• Exam: Fanny Kemble's Journals (cancelled)
• Wendell Whiteman Convocation
•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium

• Video: Weatherman Underground
•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium 11:00 - 12:30
• Journal:  Will be due Wednesday, after Tuesday's convocation (next week) by Bill Ayers.  Please take good notes (today during the video and the convocation) so you can write a good journal that connects the video with Dr. Ayers.  I am particularly interested in how you would answer the question: What circumstances are necessary for a revolution, rebellion or other physical confrontation? Connect this with Bill Ayers and the Weatherman Underground video.

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Discussion:  Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Sociology as an Individual Pastime."  (pp Preface-24).

• 11am - Convocation:
•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
• Dr. William Ayers, University of Illinois, Chicago
• Journal:   Due Wednesday October 31 Please take good notes so you can write a good journal that connects the video with the person in front of you.  I am particularly interested in how you would answer the question: What circumstances are necessary for a revolution, rebellion or other physical confrontation?   Connect this with Bill Ayers and the Weatherman Underground video.

• Discussion: Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Sociology as a Form of Consciousness." (pp 25-53).

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Discussion: Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Excursus: Alternation and Biography (Or: How to Acquire a Prefabricated Past)." (pp 54-65).

• No class

• 11am -  Class
• Discussion: Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Sociological Perspective -- Man in Society" (pp 66-92).
• Essay #3 Due Today:   Please include all prewriting.

• 11am - Convocation:
•  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium
• Dr. Susan Steingraber

• Discussion: Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Sociological Perspective -- Society in Man" (pp 93-121).

• Discussion: Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Sociological Perspective -- Society as Drama" (pp 122-150).
• Dinner at Quinby moved to next week.

• No class

• Discussion: Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Excursus: Sociological Machiavellianism and Ethics, (Or: How to Acquire Scruples and keep on Cheating" (pp 151-163).

• No class

•  Discussion:  Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective, "Sociology as a Humanistic Discipline" (pp 164-176).
•  Take Home Essay:  Berger's Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective
• Due: November 26, 2007

• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Introduction-Chapter 2 (0-34)
• Journal:  Tambudzai's mother tells her the sacrifices she must make as a women.  What are these sacrifices and how does Tambu react to this?
• Dinner with President and Mrs. Ditzler at Quinby House - meet in front of Stockdale Center at 6:10 pm and you will walk as a group over to Quinby house. 

• No Class

•  Class: 11:00 a.
• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Introduction-Chapter 2
• Journal: Describe Tambu's relationship with her father Jeremiah. Why do you think they have this relationship?

•  Class 11:00 a.m
   

• Websites of interest:

• BBC History of Southern Africa Zimbabwe/Rodesia

• Zimbabwe Rodesia background

• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Chapter 3 (35-57).
• Journal: What is the relationship between Tambudzia (Tambu) and her brother Nhamo?
• Due: Take Home Essay:  Berger's Invitation to Sociology: a Humanistic Perspective

•  No class

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Chapter 4 (58-76)
• Journal:   Explain the complexity of her comment in the beginning of the novel "I was not sorry when my brother died"(1).  What is Mainini's reaction to her son's death? Who does she blame?

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Chapter 5-6 (77-119)
• Journal:  What characteristics do Tambu and Nayasha have during the time they share a room at the mission?  How do they become friends?  How do they respond to Babamukuru and Maiguru? Explain why Tambu feels she has undergone a "reincarnation" (p.92) at the mission. Can you name the successes in this new life? Why does she say (116) "I was having to revise my thinking"?

• No Class

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Chapters 7-8 (120-175)
• Journal:  List the reasons Chido, Nyasha, Tambu, and Maiguru have for not going to homestead for Christmas. Why would they feel like they do?   What is Tambu's reaction to being home? How do the sleeping arrangements reflect the family Hierarchy? Describe the Dare and what it means for the family. After the Dare Babamukuru's idea prevails and Tambu is confused about this wedding for her parents.  Why?  How do the women of the family react to the decisions made and why?

• No class

• Class: 11:00 a.m.
• Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, Chapters 9-10 (176-204)
• Journal:  Tambu continues her education at an exclusive convent school.  What is so worrisome about the process of "assimilation"? Who helps Tambu and who wishes to hinder her with this educational process.  Tambu has "a new life" when she arrives at Sacred Heart.  Describe this.  What causes Nyasha's break down? What do the principle characters say about this break down? What does Tambu mean when she says 'seeds do grow"? 

• Class:  11:00 a.m.
•  Reading:
  McIntosh "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

• No Class

•  Quiz: Nervous Conditions

• 11:00 a.m. Convocation - Christmas Convocation -  Kasch Performance Hall, Dahl Chapel and Auditorium (not required)

•  Wrap-up and advice for the final exam.

•  Final Exam for Introduction to Liberal Arts
• Class: Electronic Classroom - Lower Level Hewes Memorial Library
• Bring your textbooks, journals, papers, etc. for the course.