Honors Humanities Summer Assignment
Students will read The Odyssey by Homer (translated by Rouse)
The Odyssey is an adventure story that has stood the test of time because of what it teaches us about the ancient Greeks and
ourselves. You might be thinking about throwing the book in your backpack and doing your summer reading on the beach;
however, if you try that, you might be tempted to chuck the book in the ocean. It’s going to take some time and focus to finish it
this summer. We know that. Here are our recommendations to help you get the most out of it. These suggestions are NOT
assignments but are examples of strategies that good readers use to help them comprehend complex texts.
1. Focus on character development (Odysseus, Telemachus, Penelope, etc). What do you think of their actions and
attitudes? Do they change or evolve throughout the story? If so, how does that change happen? If not, why does that
character remain static? Who helps or hinders each character?
2. Focus on theme (hero’s journey, double standards for men and women, coping with conflict)
3. Take notes/annotate. You will have a test and essay in the first few weeks of school.
4. Listen to the audio. There are many different versions, but this one is the same translation as the book you checked
out at the RBHS library: You can buy it here and listen to it through the audible app: http://www.amazon.com/HomerBox-Set-Iliad-Odyssey/dp/B00AOAZTHK. You’ll find that the narrator reads slower than you would (audible does let you
speed it up), but you can also listen, follow along, and annotate at the same time. (The Odyssey begins at Chapter 25.)
5. Reference published summaries (Spark Notes, Pink Monkey, Shmoop). Warning: These should be used as a point of
reference and SHOULD NOT replace reading the text. Within the first few weeks of school, you will take a test and write
an essay that will assess your knowledge of the text and not the summaries.
6. Use the timeline below to help you understand the chronology of The Odyssey.
Telemachus
Ithaca
Nestor
(Pylos)
Odysseus
Ithaca
Troy
(10 yrs)
Menelaus
(Lacedaemon)
Ithaca
Ithaca
Phaiacia –
Odysseus tells
about his journey
as a series of
flashbacks
Lotus Eaters
(Cyclops)
Island of Winds
Land of the
Midnight Sun
Circe (1 yr)
Afterworld
Sirens
Scylla
Charybdis
Calypso
(7 years)
Honors Humanities 1-2
Course Overview
Recommendations:


A or B in Honors or high B or A in regular English
STRONG work ethic (If you are willing to do the work, you WILL do well in this course.)
Overview:
Using the texts Culture and Values Volumes 1-2, we will take a chronological journey through time exploring various art periods.
We begin the year with the Ancient Greeks and end with the Modern Era. Although there is a substantial focus on literature, we
study many different aspects of the humanities including PAINITING, ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE, MUSIC, and
PHILOSOPHY. We also explore the historical context for each art period. This is especially helpful for those students considering
APEC for next year. In addition to the textbook, we will also read medieval literature, a Shakespearean comedy, and
supplemental literary texts.
Workload:



3 major essays each semester
Various creative projects (with several presentations)
An average of 5-10 pages of notes a night (from textbook)
Support:

Honors Humanities tutors meet with Humanities students 6 times in the first semester to help with essay-writing and
course expectations.
**If you have any questions, feel free to come by room E-3 (Mrs. Kravchak) or
E-6 (Mrs. Montgomery) for more information.**