There will be take-home quizzes on each third of the play distributed in class on the Wednesday following the completion of each third, and due in class on the following Monday.

For each Monday when a quiz is due, there is a corresponding reduction in the amount of reading assigned in Greek for that day. Quiz grades will compose 30% of the overall course grade.

Here's how I make up the quizzes: First, I divide the third into thirds, and then I choose one section from each third. In general, I try to select one choral passage, one of dialogue, and one of continuous speech. (The passages are each about 15 lines long, totalling 45-50 lines for each quiz.)

To complete the quiz successfully, all you have to do is translate each section into English perfectly!

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FINAL PAPER

A research paper of approximately 10 pages will be due on the last day of exam period. Paper grade will compose 30% of the overall course grade.

For your paper, you should begin by selecting either one passage of about 100 lines, or two of approximately 50 lines each. You should choose a passage or passages which have elements of all of the four elements listed below.

Then, write out a detailed discussion and analysis of the passage(s), paying close attention to :

• its literary/dramatic function in the play overall
• metatheatrical elements
• socio-political issues
• aspects of religion and cult

Begin your paper by explaining why you think the passage is important and/or why you especially like it. Then go on to discuss it in a way which does not simply list the elements detailed above, but integrates them into a sustained argument about the function and meaning of the passage with reference to the play as a whole.

For bibliography, you should use the eight essays (and the references in them) which we read throughout the semester, as well as other books and essays which will be on reserve for the class in the Classical Studies Seminar Room (SC 334). These materials should be used in the Seminar Room only, and not removed for any purpose.

Your paper is meant to give you an opportunity for close critical engagement with a section of the text of the Frogs.

Thus, although you may suggest a topic of your own, it should be something which entails close reading of a section or sections of the text -- not, in other words, something like "Metatheater in the Frogs" or some other subject which, while interesting and worthwhile, could be tackled readily by someone who had only read the play in English.

Link here to the Course Bibliography, which lists the Essays and Chapters included in the Coursee Packet, along with Additional Bibliography.

Once we begin reading the essays assigned for the course, you should find it easier to imagine how your paper might shape up, since the topics listed above are all ones covered in these materials.

Use classtime on April 3 to begin working on your outlines. Post your outlines on Blackboard by no later than midnight April 22. On April 24 we'll spend class time discussing the outlines.

PAPER OUTLINES

First paragraph: Identify the lines you are writing about and summarize their content.

Second Paragraph: summarize literary/dramatic function

Third Paragraph: summarize metatheatrical elements

Fourth Paragraph: summarize socio-political issues

Fifth Paragraph: summarize aspects of religion and cult

Sixth Paragraph: Identify at least three and no more than six bibliographic sources you will be using.

In class on April 24: explain why you think the passage is important and/or why you especially like it.

 Image credits: Dorota's FrogLand; FrogOne