Athabasca University students have a six-month contract to complete English 308. With this time limit in mind, we recommend that students adhere to a disciplined study schedule. You should plan on setting aside two or three evenings a week, so that you can spend six to eight hours per week on the course. Here is a schedule you may wish to use. If you are a slow reader, you may find it useful to read the two novels in the first two months of your study program, when the reading assignments are relatively light. You can then review the works when they appear on your schedule.
Week 1
Read the introduction in the course Study Guide, and the
assigned readings. Take some time to sample the texts on the
course so that you have some idea of what you will be studying
in the months to come.
Weeks 2-3
Read the assigned myths and legends and the commentaries.
Do self-testing by answering at least one of the study questions
in writing.
Week 4
Do the first exercise assignment and submit it to your tutor
with a “Tutor-marked Exercise” form.
Weeks 5-6
Read the assigned songs and chants and the commentaries. Do
self-testing by answering at least one of the study questions in
writing.
Weeks 7-8
Read the assigned orations and commentaries. Do self-testing
by answering at least one of the study questions in writing.
Weeks 9-11
Read the assigned short stories and commentaries. Do
self-testing by answering at least one of the study questions
in writing.
Week 12
Do the second assignment (essay #1) and submit it to your
tutor for evaluation. Be sure to include a “Tutor-marked
Exercise” form.
Weeks 13-15
Read the novels and commentaries. Do self-testing by
answering at least one of the study questions in writing.
Weeks 16-18
Read the assigned poems and commentaries. Do self-testing by
answering at least one of the study questions in writing.
Week 19
Read the assigned essays and memoirs. Do self-testing by
answering at least one of the study questions in writing.
Weeks 20-21
Read the assigned plays and commentaries. Do self-testing by
answering at least one of the study questions in writing.
Submit a “Request for Examination” form to the Office of the
Registrar at Athabasca University, by mail or electronically.
Week 22
Do the third assignment (essay #2). Be sure to include a
“Tutor-marked Exercise” form.
Weeks 23-24
Study for and write the examination.
