Class Syllabus and Other Information
LINKDROP FOR CLASSES
GOOD OMENS...AND BAD: PROPHECY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
Summary: This course will deal with the theory and practice of predicting the future. We will discuss the history and practice of divination, major historical and mythical figures associated with prophecy, and how prophecy fits into our everyday lives. The class will also deal with the most common forms of divination and interpretation - from dreams to numerology - as well as the use of fortune-telling in confidence scams, the ethics of telling the future, and the dilemma of being confronted with a prophecy in person.
Required Texts:
“The Prophecies” by Michel de Nostradamus
"Nice and Accurate Prophecies" by Agnes Nutter
“Edgard Cayce on Prophecy” by Mary Ellen Carter
“The Discovery of the Unconscious” by Henri Ellenberger
“Sibyls and Sibylline Prophecy” by Herbert William Parke
Schedule of Classes:
Week One: "A Prediction of Something to Come": What is Prophecy?
Discussion topic: Defining prophecy and divination, an introduction to the most common forms of prophecy, and a discussion of what role prophecy plays in everyday life.
Week Two: Prophets and Doomsayers: The Major Historical Seers
Discussion topic: Major figures from history who were considered by themselves or others to produce prophecies.
Week Three: "For Apollo had foretold him this at Pytho": Prophecy in Myth and Folklore
Discussion topic: A look at the role prophecy and divination plays in myths and common folk tales.
*Written Project proposal due
Week Four: It Wasn't In the Cards: Interpreting Prophecies
Discussion topic: A look at interpreting the prophetic work of others, with a discussion on how interpretations can differ.
Week Five: Running, Falling, Flying: Interpreting Dreams
Discussion topic: The interpretation of dreams.
Week Six: How Can You Tell?: Methods of Prophecy - Overview
Discussion topic: An overview of the most common methods of prophecy and future-telling
Week Seven: Chieromancy, Chrystallomancy, and Cartomancy: Common Methods of Prophecy
Discussion topic: A more detailed look at the most well-known methods of future-telling.
Week Eight: Tea, Numbers, and Fire: Other Methods of Prophecy
Discussion topic: A discussion of some lesser-known methods, including the use of natural elements and arithmancy.
Week Nine: You Are the One: When Prophecy Gets Personal
Discussion topic: Discussion of the "Chosen" prophecy, pros and cons, whether you can choose not to be Chosen, and the ethics of being Chosen.
Week Ten: Burn the Witch!: Prophecy and Public Perception
Discussion topic: A discussion of the various ways seers and fortune-tellers are perceived by the “mundane” world.
Week Eleven: I Heard an Owl Call: Everyday Prophecies
Discussion topic: How we use prophecy to make everyday decisions.
Week Twelve: Flim-flams and Cons: Prophecy for Profit
Discussion topic: Common methods of prophecy used in scams, why con artists do it and why victims fall for it.
Week Thirteen: Knowing is Not the Same as Telling: The Ethics of Prophecy
Discussion topic: The difference between "knowing the future" and "telling the future", and the ethical conflicts raised.
Week Fourteen: If I Already Know the Future, Why Bother?: Using Your Knowledge
Discussion topic: The mutability of prophecy, and self-fulfilling prophecies.
Week Fifteen: Presentation of Student Projects
Course Requirements:
1) Attendance and informed participation (readings having been completed) at all class sessions will be expected (worth 10% of the final grade). The attendance policy for this course is that there are no excused absences without a note from a parent/guardian, faculty member, or school physician. The exception to this will be if the absence is cleared with the instructor in advance.
2) Quizzes on the readings (worth 10% of the final grade) will take place every other week.
3) Written Assignments, exercises or reflections on the readings as specified in the syllabus (worth 10% of the final grade) will be collected in class most Mondays, and will be the basis for class discussion on those days. Late assignments will be penalized.
4) Students wishing to make up for absences or missed quizzes may submit summary essays based on the assigned reading for the class/quiz missed.
5) There will be 2 short tests (each worth 15% of the final grade) covering relevant historical background, scholarly theories and content. Reviews will take place in advance of the tests.
6) Participation in a Group Project (worth 20% of the final grade) will be required. You will need to form groups of three or four, and each group will submit a project proposal no later than September 22. Your project will be made up of two parts:
**Part One: Select a category of prophecy or style of divination from the list provided, and write your own prophecy using the material we cover in class. This does not have to be a "true prophecy" -- you may create one from whole cloth, or use the methods of divination we will discuss to produce one. Part One of the project will be due November 17.
**Part Two: Each project will be assigned to a different group for interpretation. Again, your interpretation does not have to be "true" -- in other words, you do not have to come to the conclusion that was intended by the group writing the prophecy. You simply have to produce a viable interpretation. Extra credit will be given for a "true" interpretation, however. Part Two will be presented by each group on the last day of classes (December 18).
7) In lieu of a Final Exam, students will be asked to keep a Dream Journal throughout the semester. They will be required to turn in a copy of their journal accompanied by a five page paper detailing the interpretation of two dreams. The Dream Journals will be due on the final day of the semester. (Worth 20% of the final grade.)
8) Extra Credit will be granted at the instructor's discretion for the following:
a) Assigned reading summaries as explained above.
b) Other Extra Credit options to be determined.
PROPHESY IN PRACTICE: LAB
Summary: This lab section will offer a more in-depth examination of the methods of divination and provide students with the opportunity to practice hands-on divination and interpretation in a controlled environment. Students participating in the Prophecy Lab are required to also be registered for Good Omens...And Bad: Prophecy in Theory and Practice.
SCHEDULE OF LABS
Week 1: Overview
An overview of the methodologies and safety procedures to be used in the lab course.
Week 2: TBD
Week 3: Lab - Chieromancy
*Project Proposals Due
Week 4: Lab - Cartomancy
Week 5: Chrystallomancy
Week 6: Lab - Dreams
Week 7: Lab - Astromancy
Week 8: Lab - Arithmancy
Week 9: Lab - I Ching
Week 10: Lab - Bibliomancy
Week 11: Lab - Tea Reading
Week 12: Lab - Onomancy and Graphology
Week 13: Lab - Rune Casting
Week 14: Lab - Trance and Hypnosis
Week 15: Lab - Special Presentation
*Final Projects Due
Course Requirements:
1) Attendance and participation at all lab sessions will be expected (worth 10% of the final grade). The attendance policy for this class is that there are no excused absences without a note from a parent/guardian, faculty member, or school physician. The exception to this will be if the absence is cleared with the instructor in advance.
2) Students wishing to make up for absences may schedule with the instructor for make-up time in the lab.
3) Hands-on lab ‘experiments’ will be worth 40% of the grade for this class.
4) Two short essays (each worth 10% of the final grade) based on the lab experiments will be required. Students will be given the options of several topics to choose from for their essays.
5) There will be 1 short test (worth 10% of the final grade) covering the methodology and safe practices utilized in the lab sessions.
6) A Group Project (worth 20% of the final grade) will be required. The project will entail students performing a lab experiment on their own time outside of the lab sessions (time in the lab must be schedule with the instructor). Students will carry out the experiment and compose a short paper detailing the methodology, results and interpretation. A project proposal should be submitted at the end of the third week of class. Projects will be due at the second to last lab session.
7) Extra credit is not available for this lab.
OOC CLASS INFORMATION
Although the classes themselves have a requirement for essays and tests, the RP requirement would be as follows:
Attendence: The character signs in. This pretty much earns the student a passing B grade for the class.
Participation in all other activities: Not required for a passing grade, but extra credit for the character's grade will be given if the player role-plays the participation.
Labs: Again, a great opportunity for interaction and RP. The only requirement will be commenting that the character is in attendance, but extra credit for the grade will be applied for RP.
Readings: The “required texts” are provided only for the purpose of reference. Characters will not be expected to actually prove they’ve read any of the texts.
GOOD OMENS...AND BAD: PROPHECY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
Summary: This course will deal with the theory and practice of predicting the future. We will discuss the history and practice of divination, major historical and mythical figures associated with prophecy, and how prophecy fits into our everyday lives. The class will also deal with the most common forms of divination and interpretation - from dreams to numerology - as well as the use of fortune-telling in confidence scams, the ethics of telling the future, and the dilemma of being confronted with a prophecy in person.
Required Texts:
“The Prophecies” by Michel de Nostradamus
"Nice and Accurate Prophecies" by Agnes Nutter
“Edgard Cayce on Prophecy” by Mary Ellen Carter
“The Discovery of the Unconscious” by Henri Ellenberger
“Sibyls and Sibylline Prophecy” by Herbert William Parke
Schedule of Classes:
Week One: "A Prediction of Something to Come": What is Prophecy?
Discussion topic: Defining prophecy and divination, an introduction to the most common forms of prophecy, and a discussion of what role prophecy plays in everyday life.
Week Two: Prophets and Doomsayers: The Major Historical Seers
Discussion topic: Major figures from history who were considered by themselves or others to produce prophecies.
Week Three: "For Apollo had foretold him this at Pytho": Prophecy in Myth and Folklore
Discussion topic: A look at the role prophecy and divination plays in myths and common folk tales.
*Written Project proposal due
Week Four: It Wasn't In the Cards: Interpreting Prophecies
Discussion topic: A look at interpreting the prophetic work of others, with a discussion on how interpretations can differ.
Week Five: Running, Falling, Flying: Interpreting Dreams
Discussion topic: The interpretation of dreams.
Week Six: How Can You Tell?: Methods of Prophecy - Overview
Discussion topic: An overview of the most common methods of prophecy and future-telling
Week Seven: Chieromancy, Chrystallomancy, and Cartomancy: Common Methods of Prophecy
Discussion topic: A more detailed look at the most well-known methods of future-telling.
Week Eight: Tea, Numbers, and Fire: Other Methods of Prophecy
Discussion topic: A discussion of some lesser-known methods, including the use of natural elements and arithmancy.
Week Nine: You Are the One: When Prophecy Gets Personal
Discussion topic: Discussion of the "Chosen" prophecy, pros and cons, whether you can choose not to be Chosen, and the ethics of being Chosen.
Week Ten: Burn the Witch!: Prophecy and Public Perception
Discussion topic: A discussion of the various ways seers and fortune-tellers are perceived by the “mundane” world.
Week Eleven: I Heard an Owl Call: Everyday Prophecies
Discussion topic: How we use prophecy to make everyday decisions.
Week Twelve: Flim-flams and Cons: Prophecy for Profit
Discussion topic: Common methods of prophecy used in scams, why con artists do it and why victims fall for it.
Week Thirteen: Knowing is Not the Same as Telling: The Ethics of Prophecy
Discussion topic: The difference between "knowing the future" and "telling the future", and the ethical conflicts raised.
Week Fourteen: If I Already Know the Future, Why Bother?: Using Your Knowledge
Discussion topic: The mutability of prophecy, and self-fulfilling prophecies.
Week Fifteen: Presentation of Student Projects
Course Requirements:
1) Attendance and informed participation (readings having been completed) at all class sessions will be expected (worth 10% of the final grade). The attendance policy for this course is that there are no excused absences without a note from a parent/guardian, faculty member, or school physician. The exception to this will be if the absence is cleared with the instructor in advance.
2) Quizzes on the readings (worth 10% of the final grade) will take place every other week.
3) Written Assignments, exercises or reflections on the readings as specified in the syllabus (worth 10% of the final grade) will be collected in class most Mondays, and will be the basis for class discussion on those days. Late assignments will be penalized.
4) Students wishing to make up for absences or missed quizzes may submit summary essays based on the assigned reading for the class/quiz missed.
5) There will be 2 short tests (each worth 15% of the final grade) covering relevant historical background, scholarly theories and content. Reviews will take place in advance of the tests.
6) Participation in a Group Project (worth 20% of the final grade) will be required. You will need to form groups of three or four, and each group will submit a project proposal no later than September 22. Your project will be made up of two parts:
**Part One: Select a category of prophecy or style of divination from the list provided, and write your own prophecy using the material we cover in class. This does not have to be a "true prophecy" -- you may create one from whole cloth, or use the methods of divination we will discuss to produce one. Part One of the project will be due November 17.
**Part Two: Each project will be assigned to a different group for interpretation. Again, your interpretation does not have to be "true" -- in other words, you do not have to come to the conclusion that was intended by the group writing the prophecy. You simply have to produce a viable interpretation. Extra credit will be given for a "true" interpretation, however. Part Two will be presented by each group on the last day of classes (December 18).
7) In lieu of a Final Exam, students will be asked to keep a Dream Journal throughout the semester. They will be required to turn in a copy of their journal accompanied by a five page paper detailing the interpretation of two dreams. The Dream Journals will be due on the final day of the semester. (Worth 20% of the final grade.)
8) Extra Credit will be granted at the instructor's discretion for the following:
a) Assigned reading summaries as explained above.
b) Other Extra Credit options to be determined.
PROPHESY IN PRACTICE: LAB
Summary: This lab section will offer a more in-depth examination of the methods of divination and provide students with the opportunity to practice hands-on divination and interpretation in a controlled environment. Students participating in the Prophecy Lab are required to also be registered for Good Omens...And Bad: Prophecy in Theory and Practice.
SCHEDULE OF LABS
Week 1: Overview
An overview of the methodologies and safety procedures to be used in the lab course.
Week 2: TBD
Week 3: Lab - Chieromancy
*Project Proposals Due
Week 4: Lab - Cartomancy
Week 5: Chrystallomancy
Week 6: Lab - Dreams
Week 7: Lab - Astromancy
Week 8: Lab - Arithmancy
Week 9: Lab - I Ching
Week 10: Lab - Bibliomancy
Week 11: Lab - Tea Reading
Week 12: Lab - Onomancy and Graphology
Week 13: Lab - Rune Casting
Week 14: Lab - Trance and Hypnosis
Week 15: Lab - Special Presentation
*Final Projects Due
Course Requirements:
1) Attendance and participation at all lab sessions will be expected (worth 10% of the final grade). The attendance policy for this class is that there are no excused absences without a note from a parent/guardian, faculty member, or school physician. The exception to this will be if the absence is cleared with the instructor in advance.
2) Students wishing to make up for absences may schedule with the instructor for make-up time in the lab.
3) Hands-on lab ‘experiments’ will be worth 40% of the grade for this class.
4) Two short essays (each worth 10% of the final grade) based on the lab experiments will be required. Students will be given the options of several topics to choose from for their essays.
5) There will be 1 short test (worth 10% of the final grade) covering the methodology and safe practices utilized in the lab sessions.
6) A Group Project (worth 20% of the final grade) will be required. The project will entail students performing a lab experiment on their own time outside of the lab sessions (time in the lab must be schedule with the instructor). Students will carry out the experiment and compose a short paper detailing the methodology, results and interpretation. A project proposal should be submitted at the end of the third week of class. Projects will be due at the second to last lab session.
7) Extra credit is not available for this lab.
OOC CLASS INFORMATION
Although the classes themselves have a requirement for essays and tests, the RP requirement would be as follows:
Attendence: The character signs in. This pretty much earns the student a passing B grade for the class.
Participation in all other activities: Not required for a passing grade, but extra credit for the character's grade will be given if the player role-plays the participation.
Labs: Again, a great opportunity for interaction and RP. The only requirement will be commenting that the character is in attendance, but extra credit for the grade will be applied for RP.
Readings: The “required texts” are provided only for the purpose of reference. Characters will not be expected to actually prove they’ve read any of the texts.