One of the goals of this course is to learn what the practices and rituals of the Romans tells us about Roman civilization and culture. The methods of study we adopt for Rome will also work when studying other societies, including our own. The celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday is an important part of the Bates academic year and a national holiday in America. It can tell us as much about the culture of Bates and the United States as the Lupercalia can tell us about Rome.
If you chose to do this assigment you will need to spend the entire day attending events in the MLK program at Bates college. Then, write a two (2) page paper about your day which answers the following questions:
- How was the day organized and who organized it?
- Who prepared and who participated in events?
- Where and when were different events held?
- What, if any, differences exist between the way Bates celebrates King's birthday and the way the larger national community observes it (watching the local and national news on Monday night will give you some ideas)?
After you have thought about these questions, think about what the answers to them mean. Do this information help you understand a) the purpose and importance of the holiday at Bates (and the larger national culture) and b) the relationship (if any) between the purpose and importance of the holiday as they are understood by the organizers of the MLK program and your own experience of it?
Your papers must be handed in to me on or before the end of class on January 24, 2000. You will receive up to three (3) points which will be added to your midterm grade [thus, if you got a 87 on the midterm, and you earn all three points, I will credit you with a 90].
Roma
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