The Odyssey Project

03 Aug The Odyssey Project

In the first semester, you will read The Odyssey in its entirety. It is 24 books or chapters long so you need to make sure to read approximately two chapters a week. This will make sure that you do not get too far behind and you are not overwhelmed in the forth unit to complete the project when it is due. For the final project, you will have to choose two from the projects listed. Feel free to turn in the projects at any time, but note that it MUST be turned in when you get to the project page of the fourth unit. There are specific details about each assignment on the pages to come.

Project Choices (choose one from Section 1 and one from Section 2 ):

Section 1

Journal Assignment. In this assignment you will make 12 journal entries, each about 300 words, on topics that tie The Odyssey to your own life. The entry topics are more of a prompt for you to respond to in your journal. The journal must be typed and turned in to your instructor during Unit 4: The Odyssey.

 

• Odyssey of Life. You will explore your life as an odyssey and write your own story. You will reflect on your past, your present, and your future and write about those things that have shaped you into who you are. You will also explore things that you want or fear might happen to you in the future.

• Lotus Eaters. In this assignment, you will write a well developed essay on the challenges faced by teenagers and adults today. You will create and support a well-designed thesis and use support from the “Lotus Eaters” section of The Odyssey.

 

Section 2

Hero Comparison. In an essay, you will compare Odysseus to a modern day hero of your choosing. You will discuss the qualities of each hero and discuss whether they are the same or different (or both).

 

• Character Speech. In this assignment, you will analyze one of the main characters in the book and create a speech that they would have made during a particular scene in the story. You will rehearse and record your speech.

• Illustrated Guide. In this project, you will create an illustrated guide to the Odyssey. You will have at least 24 original pieces of artwork that help explain each book more fully. Using illustrations in different translations of the book and online as examples, you will create an “Illustrated Guide to The Odyssey.” If you choose this project, you DO NOT have to complete another. It is worth 100 points.

 

Section 1 Choices

Journal Assignment

50 points

In this assignment you will make 12 journal entries on topics that tie The Odyssey to your own life. The entry topics are more of a prompt for you to respond to in your journal. The journal must be typed and turned in to your instructor during Unit 4: The Odyssey. Make sure that your entries are not just one or two sentences, but are well-thought out and supported responses. Refer to the writing rubric for guidance on how this assignment will be graded.

Journal Entries:

• What does the word “hero” mean to you?
• Name someone in your life you feel is a hero and explain why.
• Describe a journey you have taken.
• Why do you think you are required to read The Odyssey? What value does an old epic poem have today?
• What are the qualities of a good leader?
• What do you think the Cyclops looks like?
• What does Lotus Island look like? What features might draw tourists?
• What obstacles do you face in your life today that are similar to Odysseus’s?
• What are the qualities of a good friend? Do you think Odysseus would be a good friend? Why or why not?
• What does the saying “Beware of Greeks bearing Gifts?” mean to you?
• Why did Homer include references to Odysseus’s weaknesses throughout the story?
• Which character in the Odyssey seems most like you and why?

Odyssey of Life

50 points

You will explore your life as an odyssey and write your own story. You will reflect on your past, your present, and your future and write about those things that have shaped you into who you are. You will also explore things that you want or fear might happen to you in the future.

Detailed Description:

You must explore your past, possibly interviewing people from your past, to get a good description of your life as a young child. In either a first person story or a third-person essay, you will write the journey of your life in the past and present. You will then ponder and include events in your future that you hope to witness/experience and discuss how these events will affect your life. Also, include events that you fear might happen and those you hope will not. You should consider how these experiences have shaped you as a person and helped or hindered your maturity. Refer to the writing rubric for guidance on how this assignment will be graded. Your essay must be at least 1000 words.

Lotus Eaters

50 points

In this assignment, you will write a well-developed essay on the challenges faced by teenagers and adults today. You will create and support a well-designed thesis and use support from outside sources and the “Lotus Eaters” section of The Odyssey.

Detail ed Description:

The Lotus Eaters in the story appear at first to be friendly, but they do turn out to be an obstacle for Odysseus. Comparing that to today, there are many people and events in life that teenagers and adults encounter today that appear to be good, but turn out to be obstacles to life. Write a well-developed essay on these challenges that may first appear to be good, but may turn out differently. Describe each obstacle and how it relates to the Lotus Eaters story. Refer to the writing rubric for guidance on how this assignment will be graded. If you cite outside sources, you must include a Works Cited page or Bibliography. There are many websites available to help you create these. Your essay must be at least 1000 words.

Section 2 Choices

Hero Comparison

50 points

In an essay, you will compare Odysseus to a modern day hero of your choosing. You will discuss the qualities of each hero and discuss whether they are the same or different (or both).

Detailed Description:

Consider Odysseus as a hero. What qualities does Odysseus have that make him a hero? After considering this, make a list of modern day heroes and think about what qualities they possess. In a well-design, well-supported essay, compare and contrast the two heroes: Odysseus and the modern day hero you choose. Make sure to include the qualities that each possesses and how they are similar and how they are different. Also discuss how each became a hero and whether each will continue to be a hero in the future. Refer to the writing rubric for guidance on how this assignment will be graded. Your essay must be at least 1000 words.

Character Speech

50 points

In this assignment, you will analyze one of the main characters in the book and create a speech that they would have made during a particular scene in the story. You will rehearse and record your speech.

Detailed Description:

This is an “analyze and create” assignment that requires you to analyze a specific character in The Odyssey and reflect that characterization in a speech. The speech will be modeling a speech you think that character would make during one particular scene of the story. You will be graded on the quality of the characterization and the performance of the speech (i.e. don’t just read the lines, but “act it out”). Your speech must be 3 minutes in length. You will rehearse your speech and record it to turn it in. Refer to the writing rubric for guidance on how this assignment will be graded. In lieu of “Conventions” you will be graded on “Delivery.”

Delivery

Advanced

Proficient

Unsatisfactory

Speaker uses varied pitch, rate, and volume throughout the speech to help convey the meaning. Speaker seems practiced and purposeful using good flow of language and does not use filler words or verbal tics.

Speaker uses somewhat varied pitch, rate, and volume throughout the speech to help convey the meaning. Speaker shows some evidence of practice. Speaker is purposeful using average flow of language and uses little or no filler words or verbal tics.

Speaker does not vary pitch, rate, or volume. Speaker shows little evidence of practice. Speaker uses filler words like “um” and “uh” throughout.

Illustrated Guide

100 points

If you choose this project, you DO NOT have to complete another from section one . It is worth 100 points. You WILL NOT receive extra credit for creating a second project.

In this project, you will create an illustrated guide to the Odyssey. You will have at least 24 original pieces of artwork that help explain each book more fully. Using illustrations in different translations of the book and online as examples, you will create an “Illustrated Guide to The Odyssey.”

Detailed Description:

The Illustrated Guide project is the most time-intensive of all the projects. This is why you will not be required to complete a second project. You will create original artwork for this project in whatever medium you choose (paint, drawing, sculpture, etc. or combination). You will then write a one paragraph description of the artwork and why it explains the particular chapter it illustrates. You will create 24 pieces of artwork that go with each of the chapters in The Odyssey. To “turn-in” your artwork, you will take a photograph of the artwork and insert the photo in a word-processed document or slide presentation along with the paragraph description. If you used artwork as reference for a particular piece, you must include a citation of that piece on the slide or document as well. Refer to the rubric below for the grading of your illustrated guide.

Illustration Rubric

Advanced

Proficient

Unsatisfactory

Creativity

The artwork is unique and creative.

Some originality is demonstrated in the artwork.

There is little or no originality in the artwork.

Relevance

The artwork effectively illustrates the corresponding chapter.

The artwork shows ties to the chapter.

The artwork shows little or no connection to the chapter.

Effort

The artwork is complete and goes beyond project requirements.

Artwork is finished, but lacks polishing or finishing touches.

Artwork is incomplete.

Skill

The artwork shows good understanding of the medium used.

The artwork shows basic understanding of medium used.

The artwork shows little understanding of the medium used.