Monday, September 18, First Period

It should be a given by now that the table is laden with cookies, scones and tea (or coffee, for you heathens). And also that Aziraphale is sitting in what could be considered the 'professor's chair', having a cup of tea himself. Once the class is seated, he sets his teacup down and begins speaking.

"But Agamemnon was glad when he heard his chieftains quarreling with one another, for Apollo had foretold him this at Pytho when he crossed the stone floor to consult the oracle. Here was the beginning of the evil that by the will of Jove fell both upon Danaans and Trojans.

Prophecy has long held a vital place in legend and folklore. The quote I just recited is from the Greek epic Odyssey, and refers to a real person, the Oracle at Delphi, but in a fictionalized setting. In fact, predictions often inhabit a gray area in society, part myth and part faith. We're going to examine some instances today where prophecy plays a role in literary tradition. For some people, these examples will be considered fiction, for others they'll be held as truth. Remember, we're not here to judge truth, so keep in mind that one man's myth is another's religion."

Lecture:
--In J. R. R. Tolkein's The King of the Bracelets, the character Hadabriel utilizes a form of scrying to see possible visions of the future.
--The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick portrays a race of powerful mutants who possess the ability to see the future.
--Isaac Asimov's Foundation writings tell of a mathematician who develops a type of numerology which uses knowledge of past events and mathematical equations to predict the future.
--Perhaps the most well-known use of prophecy in Christian religious writings is that of The Revelation to John, which depicts visions portraying the End of the World.
--An ancient Sanskrit text, the Bhavishya Purana contains predictions of important world events.
--A set of artworks known as the Vatacinia Nostradami are believed to contain symbolic representations predicting the papal succession.

Homework:
I have purposely left out one entire genre of popular legend and folklore: that of film. For your homework, I would like you to watch a film that depicts the concept of prophecy or prediction in some manner – as a plot device, in the person of one of the characters, etc. Write a brief essay on whether the idea of prophecy was presented in a positive or negative light, and why. If you need help with suggestions, please let me know, I'm certain I can come up with some ideas for you.

"Before class is dismissed, there's a bit of housekeeping to be done. The following students need to come by my office hours today or Thursday, bearing a written excuse for their absences, or risk being assigned detention:
Lyra Belacqua - one lab absence excused
Martin Blank - one lab absence excused
John Constantine - two class absences, two lab absences
Maia Rutledge - one class absence excused

"Please keep in mind that you were also supposed to organize into groups for your class project. Proposals are due in my office by end of day this Friday. If you need assistance in choosing a topic, please come by my office hours today or Thursday. The project groups are listed below: those students who did not sign up for a group last week have been now been assigned to groups. [ooc: If you don't intend to do any RP participation at all for the group project, please let me know so I can make sure those players who do are reassigned together.]

Blair, Phoebe, Belthazor, Lavender
Anders, Nadia, Walter, Pippi
Bridge, Dean, Dawn, Sam
Marty, John Connor, Lyra, Eric
Joxer, Agnes, Maia, John Constantine

"Also, if you are enrolled in the lab, you will find a list of partner assignments that you can pick up on the way out. Everyone should accounted for, and I expect you to handwavily meet with your lab partner before Friday. And one other thing: lab students, when you come to class on Friday, dress comfortably and bring whatever it is you require to relax -- a pillow, headphones, your favorite blanket, etc. Also, it might not be an entirely bad idea to wash your hands and scrub your nails before coming to Friday's lab."

Syllabus
Class Roster
Classes Linkdrop
Lab Partner List

[ooc: And, as always, please wait for the OCD. And class is now in session!]