Blog Entry 1: Why this course?

Why did you choose this class? What are you hoping to accomplish in the course? What is your favorite character of The Hunger Games and why? Blog is due by Sunday, February 1, by 9 pm.

Which Hunger Games Character Are You

From Katniss to Cato,
find out which 'Hunger Games'
character best matches your personality.
Take the Quiz!
http://www.zimbio.com/quiz/CJQlMz7dD4A/Hunger+Games+Character

 

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives: Through close readings and critical analysis of the 3 books, the students will explore the wonderful world of "The Hunger Games," discussing various themes using multiple disciplines (literature, political science, philosophy, religious studies, sociology, film studies, music, psychology, and more). They will improve their reading, writing and speaking skills and at the same time develop the analytical skills needed for a better understanding and an in-depth interpretation of the myriad of topics touched upon by the trilogy. We will use the content of the books to discuss relevant issues in our society today (war, poverty, starvation, freedom, democracy, oppressions, rebellion, environmental problems, and more). The students will also improve their writing skills by creating their own blogs and composing weekly blog entries to specific prompts on various topics and from various perspectives.

The Learning Objectives will be met through close readings of the 3 books and various secondary sources, through daily discussions and guest lectures, writing weekly Blog entries, a symposium style oral presentation at the end of semester, midterm and final exams, and one long research paper.

Required and Recommended Books

Required Book:

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.

Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010. Print.

Gresh, Lois H. The Hunger Games Companion. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin Press, 2011, Print

Pharr, Mary & Leisa Clark. Of Bread, Blood and The Hunger Games. Jefferson and London: McFarland. 2012. Print

Recommended Books on Reserve in Hoover Library:

Dunn, George A. and Nicolas Michaud. The Hunger Games and Philosophy. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012.

Egan, Kate. The World of The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2012.

Egan, Kate. The Hunger Games: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. New York: Scholastic Press, 2012.

Egan, Kate. Catching fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. New York: Scholastic Press, 2013.

Henthorne, Tom. Approaching The Hunger Games Trilogy. Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland. 2012.

Boyer, Paul S. (1992). When Time Shall Be No More: Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap/Harvard University Press.

List of Books

Required Book:

• Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.
• Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.
• Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010. Print.
• Gresh, Lois H. The Hunger Games Companion. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin Press, 2011, Print
• Pharr, Mary & Leisa Clark. Of Bread, Blood and The Hunger Games. Jefferson and London: McFarland. 2012. Print

 Books on Reserve in Hoover Library:

• Dunn, George A. and Nicolas Michaud. The Hunger Games and Philosophy. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012.
• Egan, Kate. The World of The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2012.
• Egan, Kate. The Hunger Games: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. New York: Scholastic Press, 2012.
• Egan, Kate. Catching fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. New York: Scholastic Press, 2013.
• Henthorne, Tom. Approaching The Hunger Games Trilogy. Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland. 2012.
• Boyer, Paul S. (1992). When Time Shall Be No More: Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap/Harvard University Press.

Welcome to the World of The Hunger Games

Welcome to the wonderful world of  The Hunger Games. This course is an exploration and in depth study of "The Hunger Games" trilogy. In addition to a literary analysis of the 3 books by Suzanne Collins, this course will explore the various aspects and themes that the 3 novels tackle and are based on: Greek mythology (Theseus and the Minotaur); Roman history ("panem et circenses,"  Spartacus and the gladiators); sociological issues (poverty and starvation, gender and class stratification); political issues (totalitarianism and democracy, self-determination, oppression and rebellion, old and modern art of war); reality TV and film (Survivors, The Condemned), the nature of evil (ethics and philosophy), end of world theories and apocalypticism (religious studies), survivors stories (the Holocaust, trauma, recovery and narrative), art (Jewelry), music and more. McDaniel Plan: Sophomore Interdisciplinary Studies, Textual Analysis.