SPR LLT 801.998 Hero

Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat by James McDonough (Praesidio Press)
Remembering Korea 1950: A Boy Soldier’s Story by H. K. Shin (University of Nevada Press)

Wk 1 Introduction: Heroes and Course                                                                                 Homer, Books 1 & 2
(Jan 13/15) Ancient Greek warriors – Values?                                                                                Journal #1
                       Books 1 & 2    Homeric Warfare               Trojan War Basics

Wk 2 Greek domestic side & Rules in War                                                                          Homer, Books 6 & 7
(Jan 20/22) Challenges to the ethos - Archilochus                                                                      Journal #2
                         Books 6 & 7

Wk 3 Culmination of the clash – Who wins?                                                                  Homer, Books 21 & 22
(Jan 27/29)      Books 21 & 22                                                                                                             Journal #3
                   You Tube - Troy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf4IoxEUmHM

Wk 4 5th - Quiz 1; 3rd - Journals 1-3 due. Crane, Chapt I-VI
(Feb 3/5) Ranks & Units Journal #4

Wk 5 10th- Guest- Professor Wm. Piston, Life of Civil War soldier Crane, Chapt VII-XV
(Feb 10/12) 12th -Bob Brose & Doyle Cox, Veterans History Project - Orientation Journal #5

Wk 6 Point of the novel? 19^th century heroics? Crane, Chapt XVI-XXIV
(Feb 17/19) Other views – Whitman Journal #6

Wk 7 Quiz 2; Journals 4-6 due. Guests - Sgts West & Schalk & Lt. Perkins Genjirou Inui, Part I
(Feb 24/26) Background WWII Journal #7

Wk 8 Japanese WWII Genjirou Inui, Part II
(Mar 3/5) Guest - Prof. Stephen Trobisch Journal #8

Wk 9 Discussion – Japanese & Germans Genjirou Inui, Part III
(Mar 10/12) Film- Stalingrad Journal #9

Wk 10 17^th Quiz 3; Journals 7-9 due Shin, pp 1-45
(Mar 17/19) Background Korean War Journal #10

----------------------------------------Spring Break-------------------------------------------------

Wk 12 Guests: Bob Brose, Doyle Cox, Denzil Batson, Clyde Queen Shin, pps 81-163
(Apr 7th) Journal #12
--------------------------------------Spring Holiday------------------------------------------------

Wk 13 14^th Quiz 4; Journals 10-12 due McDonough, Chapts 1-6
(Apr 14/16) Background Vietnam Journal #13

Wk 14 21st- Anneli; Rachel & Alexandria French in Vietnam - Dien Bien Phu McDonough, Chapts 7-12
(Apr 21/23) 23rd- Brittany; Tyler, Adam, Sarah; Karissa & Nicole Journal #14

Wk 15 28th- Cassa, Natalie, Michelle; Laura & Jenna; Grant & Andrew McDonough, Chapts 13-17
(Apr 28/30) 30th- Allison; Adam; Kyle, Jill, Meghan Journal #15

Wk 16 7th- Sara; Quiz 5; Journals 13-15 due McDonough, Chapts 18-end
(May 5/7) 5th Guest Videoconference - Col. Jim McDonough, 205 Kemper

We have undertaken to discourse here for a little on Great Men, their manner of appearance in our world's business, how they have shaped themselves in the world's history, what ideas men formed of them, what work they did;--on Heroes, namely, and on their reception and performance; what I call Hero-worship and the Heroic in human affairs. Too evidently this is a large topic; deserving quite other treatment than we can expect to give it at present. A large topic; indeed, an illimitable one; wide as Universal History itself. For, as I take it, Universal History, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here.

One comfort is, that Great Men, taken up in any way, are profitablecompany. We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man, withoutgaining something by him. He is the living light-fountain, which it is good and pleasant to be near. The light which enlightens, which has enlightened the darkness of the world; and this not as a kindled lamp only, but rather as a natural luminary shining by the gift of Heaven; a flowing
light-fountain, as I say, of native original insight, of manhood and heroic nobleness;--in whose radiance all souls feel that it is well with them. On any terms whatsoever, you will not grudge to wander in such neighborhood for a while. –Thomas Carlyle (great 19^th century philosopher/historian/essayist)

Course: LLT 180 is designed to examine conceptions of the hero from diverse perspectives and to prompt explorations into our own value systems and their foundations. This particular section will deal with heroes and heroics in the context of war drawing from a multicultural and multi-temporal sources, including fiction, non-fiction, and film. The course aims both to understand non-US points of view and to illuminate, expound, and refine our own. In consequence, the course will be highly interactive. You are expected, as Dewey, the great American educator urged, to ‘learn by doing’. We will cover war literature and films from ancient Greece, 19^th century America, 20^th century America, Japan, Germany, and Korea. Since this is an honors section, as a term project you will interview war veterans on their experiences in the service and learn firsthand their views on heroism.

Class: Class time will be spent in discussion of the sources, in conversations with frontline veterans, and in viewing a number of films that present combat from various viewpoints (Japanese, German, Korean, Greek, American). I will provide background materials as needed. This is not a lecture course; it is hands-on and predominantly interactive. There will be invited speakers, films, presentations, and term activities. All students are expected to participate in all class conversations. Always come prepared to respond to the week’s assigned reading. Engagement with class activities will be weighed in your course achievement as the “participation” grade.

Attendance Policy: It is policy that students should attend class. Attendance is necessary, but not sufficient for a grade of “C” or above in ‘Participation’. In extraordinary circumstances (e.g., accident, or sickness) notify Ms. Miriam Burlison , 836-5122 and your instructor via email as soon as possible.

Cautionary: Some of the assigned texts and the planned films contain language and images that some may construe as offensive and disturbing. Psychic distance should be applied. Should these matters become a difficulty for you, please discuss it with me.

Weather Advisory. Let rationality and prudence be your guides: if the roads are bad, stay home. Whenever a question arises about whether class might be/has been cancelled due to hazardous road conditions, you can check the course web page and/or check your email and/or call the MCL department secretary at 836-5122 for the latest information.

I. Journal of Weekly Readings/Classes/Thoughts – 100 points (20 points each unit)

Weekly one page journal: Because experience shows that there is benefit from keeping a regular record of readings, activities, and reactions, and because writing both clarifies ones own thinking and creates a record for future reviews, each student will maintain a weekly journal. Each page of the journal will cover one week and will be organized into three parts: I. a short, neutral synopsis of the week’s reading assignment, II. a short, neutral synopsis of class activities for the week, and III. your own, thoughtful evaluation of the readings and the classes (e.g. Did the writer deal with matters that are significant or interesting to you? If so, what? If not, why not? did you learn anything from the classes or films or videos? If so, what? If not, why not?)

Grading will be based on coherence, clarity, grammar, and punctuation, as well as thoughtfulness. Incomplete journals can receive no higher grade than ‘C’. In order to receive an ‘A’ a journal must be complete, free of grammar or spelling errors, and must display original thinking as necessary elements.

N.B.: Each weekly entry should be produced on a word processor or typewriter and should be no more than one sheet of paper (2-sided printing is permissible). Shrink the font or widen margins as you please. These entries will be collected for grading at three times during the semester. A fouled printer is NOT AN EXCUSE for failure to turn in journal entries on time. Have work ready in advance and avoid last minute SNAFUs. I do not accept electronically transmitted assignments unless I have agreed to it in advance. These will be collected at five times during the semester as scheduled.

Students may organize into 2 or 3 member teams in order to undertake the term project. If so organized, each member is expected to contribute to the team effort, and presumptively each member of the team will receive the grade given to the team project. (Should there be problems within a team, it is first the team’s responsibility to resolve them. If a group comes to me with complaints about a slacker member, I will be interested not only in the complaints but also in an account of the team’s efforts to handle the issue on its own. If need arises for an Article 27-A hearing, all sides will meet to for open evidence and rebuttal.)

               Tasks: (1) Undertake a Veterans History Project interview with one area war veteran to be completed
                            and turned in during the last three weeks of the semester and (2) prepare a presentation to the
                            class on your veteran’s experience (including whatever is pertinent for the class to
                            understand his/her specific story) and (3) write up a two page reflection on the process of interviewing
                              a veteran and what you learned from it. [Items 1 and 2 can be undertaken by team; item 3 must be an
                            individual effort.]

The Veterans History Project was authorized by Congressional legislation on October 27, 2000 and is housed in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. The Project undertakes to capture and preserve the oral histories of American war veterans, (along with documentary materials such as letters, diaries, maps, photographs, etc.), as well as those of civilians who supported war efforts. For this purpose the VHP serves as an organizing agent for a grass-roots effort to tape individual memories and collect them in public archives. Full guidelines and forms for participation in the VHP are available at http://www.loc.gov/vets. Your task is to produce a set of tapes or DVDs (with full paperwork) that can be submitted to the Library of Congress for permanent housing in its VHP archives, copies of which will also be housed in the Missouri State Meyer Library archive as a local resource.

Organization: You will be responsible for contacting a war veteran, researching his or her military background and context, arranging the interview, securing the proper paperwork (releases, biography, etc.), checking out and returning equipment (whether borrowed from your instructor, from ETC, or elsewhere), getting 3 VHS or DVD copies made, and returning one copy immediately to your veteran. Meyer Library’s Educational Technology Center will assist with all technical questions.

Order of procedure:
           1. Familiarize with VHP aims and requirements (www.loc.gov/vets).
           2. Settle on a veteran and secure his/her agreement to be interviewed and videotaped for the Library of Congress
               and for the Meyer Library archive.
           3. Get biographical details and begin research on his/her unit, job, area of service, weapons used, etc., etc.
           4. Settle on questions using the VHP ‘suggested questions’ as a starting point and your own research for details.
           5. Meet with veteran, fill out all other release forms, and discuss how the interview will be conducted.
           6. Videotape interview.
           7. Dub interview onto 3 DVD or 3 VHS copies and fill out the tape log form COMPLETELY.
           8. Return one copy of the videotape on VHS or DVD to your veteran.
           9. Organize presentation to teach the class about your veteran and his/her combat experience.

Contacts with veterans can be made through local veterans’ organizations or through family, personal, or business contacts. In addition, your instructor has a list of area veterans willing to be interviewed.

Product: The following must be turned in on the day of your presentation:

                 1. VHP paperwork fully completed (veteran release, interviewer release(s), biographical data sheet, tape log)
                 2. MSU paperwork fully completed (veteran, interviewer(s), and cameraman releases available on course page)
                 2. Original master tape (whether mini-dv or VHS or other disk or tape format)
                 3. VHS or DVD copy for Library of Congress
                 4. VHS or DVD copy for Missouri State library
                 5. Any other materials a veteran wishes to donate with appropriate VHP paperwork (photos or manuscripts)

The product will be graded on the basis of competence and consistency in completing the work according to the VHP protocols, NOT on the basis of artful editing or liveliness of the interview subject. Please remember that this project is for collection of primary data via an oral history. All information is worth preservation. Your instructor can supply MINI-DVs, blank DVDs, and VHS tapes as needed.

NB: I am open to suggestions for improvements to this activity plan. Please keep me apprised of any difficulties.

In the last two weeks of class, you or your team will make a 10 minute presentation to the rest of the class on your veteran and his/her experience, including entry into the service, training, where and when he/she participated, how he/she participated, what part he/she played in the war as a whole, etc., providing whatever background information that would be helpful to the rest of the class. The presentation will be assessed on the basis of clarity, accuracy, and interest.

At the course finals week meeting you will turn in a two page reflection on your participation in this project and what you learned from it. This essay will count as a portion of your course final.

There will be a 20 point quiz covering each of the five units (Greek, Civil War, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam) using any of the following: essay, short answer, identification, matching, ordering, and multiple choice questions. Study guides for each book will be posted on the internet and linked to the course page.

Participation

Learning is not a spectator sport (Cf. John Dewey, Democracy and Education). You learn not only from books, films, and speakers, but also from each other. Turn up. Speak up. Engage the material. Make suggestions. Always come with a short list of questions, puzzles, topics of interest, or other material that you want to present for class consideration. Failure to do so can substantially impact your participation grade.

Note well: Should you find it necessary to miss a class, you are nonetheless responsible for the material covered.

Grade Calculation: At the end of term all points from graded assignments will be totaled and a course grade will be assigned based on the percentage achieved out of the total possible points (370) based on the following scale: 100-90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69-60% = D; 59-0% = F.

Some of you (e.g., athletes, pledges, scholarship recipients, etc.) may require regular feedback on your grade. If so, please let me know at the start of term. ‘Snapshot’ estimates of participation grades are available at any time upon email request.

If you feel that I have misjudged your performance on any point, please arrange a conference with me and make your case. (Note the Procedures below.)

Procedures for Grade Inquiries: To raise an enquiry about course formalisms (grades, procedures, progress) you should consult your instructor in the first instance. Should we be unable to resolve the matter, I shall then refer you to Professor Madeleine Kernen, Head of Modern & Classical Languages, as the next step in the process. All inquiries about individual grading during the term should be made within one week of the date on which the quiz/exam/paper in question was returned to the class. Questions about final course grades should be raised within one semester.

Courtesies: Please attend to ordinary courtesies and show due respect to other members of the class, to the instructor, and to all guests. (For example, it is dismaying for a speaker to observe students doing homework, leafing through books or notes, napping, etc.) Class guests are veterans who served with honor and picked up the tab for all of us. Treat them accordingly. Further, as late arrivals to and early departures from class can be both rude and disruptive to the entire group, do not come late or leave prematurely except under extreme duress. If special circumstances pertain (e.g., a 50-mile drive coming in), please let me know at the start of term.

Integrity: I presume at the outset that everyone is of the highest moral character and probity. However, in a case of suspected cheating or plagiarism (‘Plagiarism’ means the theft of intellectual property, stealing the ideas or words of another and passing them off as one’s own.), I shall return the assignment without a grade, and the student must see me immediately. If good faith has been restored, a grade will be given. In the case of unquestioned dishonesty, the test or written material will be given an automatic zero; and the student must still see me immediately. In the latter instance, the student will be counseled to drop the course and the Academic Integrity Council may be notified.

Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following our student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at http://www.missouristate.edu/registrar/acintegrity.html and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty may be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.

Accommodations: To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact Katheryne Staeger-Wilson, http://www.missouristate.edu/disability/11035.htm Director, Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), . Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Lea rning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact Dr. Steve Capps, Director, Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc/.

Nondiscrimination: Missouri State is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to Jana Estergard, Equal Opportunity Officer, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of Professor Madeleine Kernen, Head, Department of Modern & Classical Languages, 376 Craig Hall.

Students who require assistance during an emergency evacuation must discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Services. If you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

For additional information students should contact the Office of Disability Services, 836-4192 (PSU 405), or Larry Combs, Interim Assistant Director of Public Safety and Transportation at 836-6576.

Schedule	Quiz Study Guide
Syllabus	Library of Congress - Veterans History Project

LLT 180.998 Hero & Quest: Heroics in War 11:00 TTH, 204 Craig Hall

Instructor: J. A. Johnson Office Hours: 7:30-9:15 & 1:45-2:00 TTH

Office: 382 Craig Hall Electronic Office Hours 1-2:00 MW and by appointment
Campus telephone: 836-5122

LLT 180.998 Hero & Quest: Heroics in War 11:00 TTH, 204 Craig Hall

Instructor: J. A. Johnson Office Hours: 7:30-9:15 & 1:45-2:00 TTH

Office: 382 Craig Hall Electronic Office Hours 1-2:00 MW and by appointment Campus telephone: 836-5122

Office: 382 Craig Hall Electronic Office Hours 1-2:00 MW and by appointment
Campus telephone: 836-5122