Grade 10
Humanities
Summer
Reading Assignments
2009
The Narragansett High School summer reading lists
are provided to help our students reach standards in literacy. For several years, the English and Social
Studies departments have collaboratively taught the accelerated program in both
disciplines using a humanities approach.
The summer reading reflects this collaboration. The selections required mirror the concepts
to be discussed during the year. The
assignment provides the opportunity to express in a creative way what they
learn from the first two selections.
Students
enrolled in English 325 and World History 925 must read selections 1,2, and 3 for the first day of school.
1.
Oedipus Rex / Sophocles (Greek drama)
2.
Man's Search for Meaning / Viktor E. Frankl (history/psychology)
3.
A Man for All Seasons / Robert
Bolt (drama)
Assignment: Following the directions below, write a four
(4) page typed, double-spaced essay with a heading in Modern Language
Association (MLA) format (name, teacher’s name, course name, and date) in-text
notes, and a Works Cited page formatted according to MLA format. The Narragansett
High School Research and Writing Handbook may be found on the English
department web site at http://www.narragansett.k12.ri.us/NHS/eng/enghp.html
. Click on the link for the handbook and
use the Table of Contents to locate the examples.
Directions
for Oedipus Rex and Man’s Search for Meaning:
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate
the objective of the humanities approach to your study of history and English
this year. The creative project will
connect ancient
Create a dialogue between two characters from Oedipus
Rex and Dr. Victor Frankl. Each character
separately attends a session with Dr.
Viktor E. Frankl in which he or she discusses the tragedy of Oedipus. Frankl questions the characters about what happened to them and why.
As the characters explain, Dr. Frankl provides some suggestions he hopes
will bring peace and meaning back to their lives. Frankl's suggestions are drawn from his
book. Quote and paraphrase text. For in-text notes cite Frankl’s name and page
numbers (Frankl 21) and Sophocles’ name and page number (Sophocles 32).
These
questions will help develop the script.
Be creative!
1. In what state of mind are
the characters you have selected by the time they visit Frankl? What might the characters identify as the
cause or causes of their problem? How
were they judged by society? How would
you describe their culture? What
standards or morals did the Greeks demand?
Why do they act as they do? What
is the basis for their beliefs?
2. What observations does
Frankl make about the condition of the characters? How will Frankl interpret the terrible fate
of the characters? What comments might
he make about the role of Greek culture in the tragedy? What comments would Frankl make about the
role of personal choice in the characters’ actions? What will he offer the characters as a prescription
for a return to a psychologically healthy life?
What does Frankl say to help the characters find meaning in their lives?
This
assignment is due the first day of school.
You will be tested on A Man For
All Seasons during the first week of school.
Focus on characterization, internal and
external conflict, and theme.