INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT LITERATURE

INTRODUCTION TO
ANCIENT LITERATURE







TEACHER’S MANUAL








Written by J. Parnell McCarter

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“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the
people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come
to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover
the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from
Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and
from the islands of the sea.” - Isaiah 11:10-11





Dedicated to Christian historians who have preserved
the ancient accounts of God’s Providences.




©2004 J. Parnell McCarter. All Rights Reserved.
6408 Wrenwood
Jenison, MI 49428
(616) 457-8095

SECOND EDITION

The Puritans’ Home School Curriculum
www.puritans.net

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TEACHER’S MANUAL FOR INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT
LITERATURE
TABLE OF CONTENTS



Course Introduction for Teachers..………………………..………….p. 4

Section One : Course Instructions…………………………………….p.5

Section Two : Recommended Course Calendar..…..……………….p. 8

Section Three : Course Check-Off Lists…….…..…………………...p.11

Section Four : Assignments and Answer Keys……………………...p.14

Section Five: Course Essay……………………..…..………...……….p.45

Section Six : Final Exam …………………………….……….…………p.47

Section Seven : Teacher Course Notes……..……………….…………p.53








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COURSE INTRODUCTION FOR TEACHERS


Originally The Puritan’s Home School Curriculum packaged Bill Cooper’s book entitled
After the Flood for use in a history course. Teacher’s Manual for After the Flood provides
a means for the book to be used in that way, for those who would like to so use it. However,
upon further reflection, we have decided it would be best used as part of a high school literature
curriculum. It provides important insights into understanding literature, especially ancient
literature. Therefore, After the Flood is a centerpiece of the course ‘Introduction to Ancient
Literature’ in The Puritan’s Home School Curriculum.

‘Introduction to Ancient Literature’ is designed as the first semester course of a full year
program of study on ancient literature. ‘Ancient Literature, Ancient Chronicles’ is the second
semester course.

There are three books that will be read by students in the course ‘Introduction to Ancient
Literature’:


1. After the Flood by William R. Cooper

2. The Chronicle of the Early Britons translated by William R. Cooper

3. Beowulf

With respect to the first two books, the student’s textbook for the course contains instructions
on how the books may be either read on the internet or printed out from the internet. Both
books are available free on-line. With respect to the third book, Beowulf, it is contained in
section three of the student’s textbook.

This course should help train students in the study from a Biblical perspective of source
documents. The two source documents especially focused upon in this course are The
Chronicle of the Early Britons and Beowulf. In the second semester course entitled ‘Ancient
Literature, Ancient Chronicles’ more ancient literature will be read. This first course in ancient
literature should provide a sound basis for further study.

We provide a recommended schedule for administering the course ‘Introduction to Ancient
Literature’ over a 14-15 week period.




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SECTION ONE: COURSE INSTRUCTIONS

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Prerequisites

It should be emphasized that as a pre-requisite for taking this course the student needs to have
completed a general course in world history. The Puritans’ Home School Curriculum
employs the textbook The Real Story of Mankind for this purpose. Also, a thorough
familiarity with scripture is essential. The Puritans’ Home School Curriculum employs the
Sabbath Bible Survey Tests and Assignments to provide that familiarity.


Check-Off Lists

Students should record when they have completed assignments on the check-off lists, and
teachers should record grades on the check-off lists. This course consists of seven assignments,
along with a course essay and a final exam.


Assignments

Each assignment included in this manual indicates the required readings associated with the
assignment. The teacher should inform the students of these required readings as well. The
required readings are from After the Flood, Beowulf, and The Chronicle of the Early
Britons. Students are free to prepare the assignments with books open to After the Flood,
Beowulf, and The Chronicle of the Early Britons for assistance. Once the students have
finished each assignment, it should be graded by the teacher. Grades should be recorded on the
appropriate check-off list. (Most of the questions for Assignment 6 relate to Beowulf.
Students are asked to summarize the contents of chapters in Beowulf. Some teachers may
want to go over many of these Beowulf chapters verbally, and not require students to write a
summary for all of the chapters.)


Course Essay

An essay assignment has been incorporated into this course. The essay should be prepared by
students once they have completed the assignments. It assumes a familiarity with the material
covered in the assignments. It focuses upon The Chronicle of the Early Britons.


Final Exam

The final exam consists of questions taken from the assignments. It is administered after the
student has completed the assignments. It insures that students have retained a knowledge of
the material covered in the assignments.


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Grading

Each student should receive an overall grade for the course, consisting of the weighed average
grades from the various activities of the course. Here are the weights we have assigned to each
category of activity:

Assignments 40%
Course Essay 20%
Final Exam
40%


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SECTION TWO: RECOMMENDED COURSE
CALENDAR

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The course ‘Introduction to Ancient Literature’ is designed as a one semester course which can
be completed in approximately 14 weeks:


Week
Reading Assignment
Work
Test
Class Time Activities
#
Assignment
1
After the Flood:
Assignment 1
None
Teacher gives an overview of
Introduction, Chapter 1,
the course and hands out
Appendices 1 and 2
Assignment 1, for students to
complete within 2 weeks.
2
After the Flood:
Assignment 1
None
Teacher collects assignment 1
Introduction, Chapter 1,
for weeks 1 and 2, and goes
Appendices 1 and 2
over the answers with students.
The teacher also hands out
Assignment 2.
3
After the Flood: Chapters
Assignment 2
None
Teacher collects assignment 2,
2 and 3 and Appendix 3
and goes over the answers with
students. The teacher also
hands out Assignment 3.
4
After the Flood, Chapters
Assignment 3
None
Teacher collects assignment 3,
4 and 5 and Appendices 4
and goes over the answers with
to 7
students. The teacher also
hands out Assignment 4.
5
After the Flood, Chapters
Assignment 4
None
Teacher collects assignment 4,
6 and 7 and Appendix 8
and goes over the answers with
students. The teacher also
hands out Assignment 5.
6
After the Flood, Chapters
Assignment 5
None
Teacher collects assignment 5,
8 and 9 and Appendix 14
and goes over the answers with
students. The teacher also
hands out Assignment 6.
7
After the Flood, Chapters
Assignment 6
None
Teacher discusses Beowulf
10 and 11 and Appendices
with the students.
9 and 10
Beowulf
8
After the Flood, Chapters
Assignment 6
None
Teacher discusses Beowulf
10 and 11 and Appendices
with the students.
9 and 10
Beowulf
9
After the Flood, Chapters
Assignment 6
None
Teacher collects assignment 6,

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10 and 11 and Appendices
and goes over the answers with
9 and 10
students. The teacher also
Beowulf
hands out Assignment 7.
10
After the Flood, Chapter
Assignment 7
None
Teacher discusses The
12 and Appendices 11, 12,
Chronicle of the Early
and 13
Britons with the students.
The Chronicle of the
Early Britons
11
After the Flood, Chapter
Assignment 7
None
Teacher discusses The
12 and Appendices 11, 12,
Chronicle of the Early
and 13
Britons with the students.
The Chronicle of the
Early Britons
12
After the Flood, Chapter
Assignment 7
None
Teacher collects assignment 7,
12 and Appendices 11, 12,
and goes over the answers with
and 13
students. The teacher also
The Chronicle of the
hands out the Course Essay
Early Britons
assignment.
12
None
Course Essay
None
Teacher collects Course Essay
written by students, and
discusses students’ thoughts on
the topic. Also the teacher
reviews material covered in the
course, to help students
prepare for the final exam.
14
Review Assignment work
None
Final
Administer final exam.
Exam


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