Freshman Trip Assignments

The freshman study trip to Italy and Greece is exactly that - a study trip, not a vacation. As such, there are specific assignments to be completed by students, either prior to departure or while on the road. These will be assessed and those grades will be applied to the students' second semester Humanities grade. The assignments are outlined below:

1) Student Tour Guides: Working in pairs, students will lead us through eight major ancient sites - Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, the Colosseum, the Forum, Hadrian's Villa, Mycenae, and the Acropolis. While the style of guidance can take many forms, all student tour guides will be expected to: a) tell the story of the site, b) identify and explain the significance of major structures/artifacts at the site, and c) provide the group with a handout outlining key points. Most importantly, the students' job is to make the site speak - to make it interesting. Ruins can feel empty and boring; the guide must make it feel real and relevant. The full assignment sheet is posted here.

2) Poem to the Dead: Following the style of the Greek elegy, students will prepare a short poem in memory of the dead to be delivered when we arrive at the River Styx in the Sibyll's Cave. The poem could be devoted to a specific person from the student's life, a famous Greek or Roman hero, or to the dead in general.

3) Honoring the Gods: The Roman Pantheon was originally devoted to the old Roman Gods and, as is clear from Greek epic poetry, honoring the gods was a mandatory act. We will celebrate our arrival in Rome by paying the gods proper respect at the Pantheon. In support of this, students will prepare a poem in honor of a specific Roman God of their choice, following models supplied from Greek epic poems.

4) The Oracle's Riddle: While many sought insight from the Oracle at Delphi, often its message was more of a mystery than an answer. Truth might have been there for the taking, but it was wrapped in a riddle - a riddle often only decoded when the person affected was past the point of no return. We will mark our visit to the oracle by sharing riddles. Each student will be expected to bring one riddle of their own choice (bonus points if the riddle is of their own creation).

5) Monologue: The great theater of Epidaurus is one of the most remarkable ancient sites still in existence. The acoustics are so spectacular that an actor's lines could be heard clearly from any part of the theater. We will test it out. Students will be required to select a monologue from any Greek drama of their choice (minimum 10 lines) and deliver it here. With passion.

6) Journal: Students will be expected to journal daily. Sometimes specific topics will be assigned; on other occasions, they will be free to reflect on whatever they choose.

7) Blog: To keep families in the loop, we will maintain a trip blog. All students will be expected to update it once.