Badd Writtings

To define bad writing I would have to say that bad writing is the baddest of the bad. Bad writing is bad because It is hard to follow bad writing is bad because the reader might not understand what is writtin. Bad writtin also migt cause some confusion and misrepresent what the meaning is. Bad writing also has bad grammer, bad punctuation, missssspellings, runon sentences, clauses, slang bad writing also makes the writter seem like a person who doesnot know what they are speaking about. Bad writing makes the writter seem uneducated or lazy. Bad writing is bad for buisness most won’t continue to read if something is ritten badly.

Horrible Writing!!!!

It makes me angry to read bad writing when people repeatedly write about the same topic over and over and never come to any kind of conclusion. It's like they have this circular thinking unbeknownst to them, and when I read their thoughts I become furious. When they do not even understand that they have wasted the last three sentences, it works me into a rage. How dare they write with such redundancy redundancy! These writers could impel Gandhi to indulge in violence. I am also mad, Mad, MAD, when writers overuse exclamation points, and make the sound of the emotion they are trying to express!!!!

!!!!!! Grrrrrrrhhhhh!!!!!!

Horrible Writing

Bad Writing

i don’not know bout you- but I hate bad writin. Like I hate when a writer like tries 2 make a comparison & can’t do it good cuz it gets off trak of what them is trying to said. IT make me reel mad. I pick up peoples writig & I read it 4 a few min. & I saw that the author: Went backandforthfromactive 2 passivevoice has no spaces Has spelling and punctuation errors No flow & Do ‘nt consider their audience. 1 thang that gets me mad is another example of pour Writing is when a writer doesn’t finish their

Oof

Poor righting is poor. You can most assuredley definately identify without a dout and inconclusavely sea poor righting for the first secund its typed and its stiking liek glue to your apiphanated reputeation. Poor righting drives me absolutly and erredundantly nut's. I'ts like a stane on the carpit that you ain't never ever going to get out and so you put away your tools for cleening in a resigned sort of way concluding that that which your tyring to expell from the carpet is just never ever going to come cleen. SO I don't like poorly ritten stuff and tyr endlessly to keep me righting cleen.

The, comma,

Bad writing in college is a far to often occurrence. The one thing that I have noticed that gets greatly overused is the comma, I think that many students must have not been paying, attention in middle school when, we, all should have learned how to use those silly, little, pesky, commas, Commas can really make, or break, depending how you look at it, a piece of very, very, very good, writing, When commas are over used, people tend to ignore them, When they are underused, the sentences just run together, The worst is when people forget to, pause, when reading out, loud, and, they come to, a, comma

My difining "bad" writing

What is bad writing stuff anyway! And what does bad really maen? Is it like Micheal Jackson BAd? The good bad. Or is it like bad bad? I think bad can mean anything. It kind of like the F-word or the s-word. It has a fliud flow about it to fit it into any type of sentence or phrase or meaning or thpught an didea too.

Maybe the essance of bad writing is to just a brainstorm in no real pattern. Just start typing one word to the next. Maybe the key is to not proofread:* look for clarity in the flow. Not the before mentioned flow this is more the flow of long prose that is an unending river of thoughtlessness that will soon be overlooked by the mass of masses that exist in our world for today and tomonrrow.
-thanks Roman

Example of Bad Writing--Why we need to Proofread

The exmple pf bad writng doesn’t have ot be just abot speling adn grammah , but it anc be a mystiped setence. Somtimes yur fingr can miss a key or hitt extraa keyss. That is why companys have creted sotware to ato-corect typose. How ever, eben with hte sofwera their can be sume words that ar speled similir butt hafe diferent meenings dna that case the softewear will knot pick up the word as misspelled or incorect gramma usaje. Punchuation is also imporant? Two: that is y it is critikal that sumeone neds to look ovr yur paper fur miztakes.

All good Words

Bad writing is like, when you aren’t doing the righting write. Writers should be careful about there spelling. When you don’t know what to say and so it doesn’t make any sense to people. And you just keep going and going and giong without commas and stuff. I thnk its good to be prepared before you do a paper so I don’t sound stupid. Snetences are supposed to be not too long or to short. You shouldn’t say what other people said to because that is stealing.Proof read two. Also make sure youre paper has enough words.

Say What?

Riting bad has much diffrent things. Dis be not nice speling. Or culd be pour grammar. Incompleet sentinces. Mabe bad wurd picking? Use rong wurd is not gud neither. Bad riting many airors. Make tuff 2 reed. capitals and puntuation not there Ides r not cleer or not develipped! Bad riting is 2 when idees go on and on and on and on and on and no brake in dem. U right bad u not look smart. Slang not good ether. Steel others wurds use as urs-bad. lotsa thins r pour riting! This stuff & lots more makes bad riting

Hammurabi, St. Thomas, and Mohammad face The Scarlet Letter

Hester from The Scarlet Letter is facing deliberation for committing adultery only she finds herself caught by a hung jury. The three jurors are King Hammurabi, St. Thomas, and Mohammad and debate about the best punishment for Hester’s crime of passion based upon their viewpoints. St. Thomas and Mohammad are guided by their religion and King Hammurabi stands by his laws. The three are at odds because of their strong convictions and dedication to their beliefs, they find reaching a decision impossible.

A Discussion on Violence

The conversation between Gilgamesh, Bede and me was frustrating for me and good for them. On the top of violence they seemed to agree while I disagreed. They both found order in their forms of violence, I on the other hand felt it would be best to talk. The also found a common ground in the loss of those you love, from the violence. While this just made me more mad they seemed to think it was nice for me to be mad. In the end they agreed and I gave up.

Saint Thomas Aquinas and Hammurabi Having Coffee

One morning St. Thomas Aquinas was in an otherworldly café enjoying a nice cup of coffee. Hammurabi sat down to join him and discuss the reasons why rules and order are necessary for governing the people and creating a peaceful society. Of course, St. Thomas professed that God was the divine ruler and therefore is responsible for governing the people, whether they realize it or not. Hammurabi suggested that people must have clear and concise rules, and they must be written down for everyone to see. In the case of someone breaking the rules, there would be swift and severe consequences. In the end, both Hammurabi and St. Thomas agreed that people must be governed to function in a civilized and productive society.

Philosiphizing With a Wall

Hammurabi felt that his code of law and his position as ruler were ordained by the god Marduk. He was clearly an unquestioned master. His divine justification, and the declarative way in which he pronounced another’s death sentence imply that he would be a hard and taciturn figure in conversation. St. Thomas Aquinas also felt that his beliefs were divinely inspired. St. Thomas on the other hand preferred to explain divine truths through dialogue and patient explanation. Both would be rigid in their desire to convince the other of their own beliefs. Hammurabi would be curt and unbending, like arguing with a brick wall. He would state his point and say little more. Aquinas would attempt to circumlocate Hammurabi’s logic, while throwing in a dose of proselytizing. The Saint would continue patiently, receiving the same basic responses until Hammurabi became bored and returned to conquering and killing.

St. Thomas and Bede

I believe that St. Thomas Aquinas and Venerable Bede would have spoken about Medieval Europe, the Catholic Church, and Miracles. I believe these two gentleman could spend days speaking to each other without a break. Venerable Bede would most likely ask most of the questions since St. Thomas Aquinas is able to study the past or history of what Bede has already written. I believe St. Thomas would probably ask Bede a few questions about what Bede had experienced and what life was like during that time period. Bede would probably inquire about St. Thomas’s five proofs that god exists, not that Bede would doubt god’s existence but for proper scientific method. I am sure most of the time would be spent inquiring about the Catholic Church. Many words would be spoken between the two about the history and personal experience within the church. St. Thomas Aquinas had a great interest in the metaphysical which I am sure Bede would also have an interest in documenting.

St. Thomas Aquinas, Bebe, Gilgamesh

These three historical figures had some similarities and many differences. To be a fly on the wall during a conversation between these three men would be very interesting. With St. Thomas Aquinas and Bede having religious roots the interactions between them and Gilgamesh would be unique. I think that even though these three had their differences they still would have been able to have productive conversation. From the readings and the history of these three historical figures it seems like the conversation would have been rooted around being a leader and government with a twist of religion. Bebe and St. Thomas Aquinas religious roots would have guided the conversation in a religious direction while Gilgamesh probably would have been a more authoritative type person.

On the Fear of Death

Shin-eqi-unninni, St. Thomas Aquinas, & Andrew Asquith (a student)

A problem was posed in which a elderly man feared that his life was uneventful and soon coming to an inevitable close. The man’s lament agonized him and so he first sought out the advice of St. Thomas Aquinas who told him that his life could be spiritually prolonged by his faith in God, and that his revelation of one God would be the event of his life.

The man then sought the help of Shin-eqi-unninni, who told him that like Gilgamesh, he could not attain immortality. Shin-eqi-unninni told him only Humbaba can live forever and to seek peace with his lament and mortality so that he could rest.

Finally the man came along a well-versed student, who asked him if living was not a great event in itself. And that furthermore, that his fear could awaken him to the joys of emotion and sensation that come from being temporary, without which he could not experience.

Myself, Hammrubi, and Sigmund Freud

The argumentative discussion was on why Hammurabi created so many laws and why they were so harsh. My question was why the set of severe laws? Was it for personal gain or for the good of the people? I understand that laws are needed to give order, but I always concern over anyone claiming to have a divine right or calling to rule over a group of people. This usually ends badly and eventually everyone realizes that is was for personal gain. To support this idea I brought in Sigmund Freud’s id, ego and super-ego theory to prove that people in power can fall under this theory. For one the id is the pleasure principle in which case Hammurabi probably enjoyed being in power and displaying that gave him satisfaction. His ego was unbalanced causing his super-ego to take over his using the gods as an excuse to be extreme.

Muhammad and Hammurabi Conversation: Choosing a Religion

Like some other people, I took a fair amount of liberty writing this conversation. The conversation is between Muhammad and Hammurabi, wi th the question being “what religion should we follow?” This is asked by a member of the people under Hammurabi, and is asked on behalf of all the people. The conversation regards the person’s question as the two argue about what the answer should be. I read that Hammurabi wrote his code of laws because he wanted to be thought of as a fair person, so his side of the conversation stresses fairness and how it pertains to this case. I wrote Muhammad in the style of the Quran, so “Muhammad” could be interpreted as really being the angel Gabriel or Allah himself. He (Muhammad/Gabriel/Allah) was written as being very matter-of-fact, saying only “how it is.” Hammurabi, instead, used ethos and rationalization. The conversation ended with Hammurabi becoming frustrated and deciding that each individual person should choose for himself.

St. Thomas Aquinas, Bede, and Gilgamesh Converse

A conversation between St. Thomas Aquinas, Gilgamesh, and Bede takes place over a friendly game of poker. The topic of discussion is Gilgamesh’s “origins”.
Bede is contemplating what mix of human-god could create the 1/3 human by 2/3 god mix. Bede uses his understanding of mathematics to show the impossibility of Gilgamesh's being.
St. Thomas Aquinas takes a theological approach. His argument is based on only one God and although Gilgamesh may be god-like; he is no god.
Gilgamesh is more concerned about his legend as a champion poker player; he wants to ensure his immortality and escape the 1/3 human aspect of his existence. His reality is based on his "Epic" story: he does not question the gods.
In the end, St. Thomas Aquinas, Bede, and Gilgamesh each relies on their own way of defining the world to make sense of it all.

Thomas and Gilgamesh

"I am Thomas Aquinas, humble servant of the Lord, writer of many great works!"...
"Who?" Gilgamesh asked
"Thoma...."
"No I heard that part... I was referring to this Lord. Lord Whom? Of what land?" Said Gilgamesh.
Thomas looked at him as if daft, and then continued on... "Why, OUR Lord, the Lord of all things, Lord of Hosts... You know... the Big Kahuna? The guy that made all that there is including you?"
" OOOOHHH"... Gilgamesh replied smiling..."You mean Anu or Enlil!"
"What?" Thomas said in a suspicious tone. "Who's this Anu? I am speaking of God..."
"Yeagh I know... The God, the big dog, Anu, and there's Marduk, Enlil and Ishtar and..."
"BLASPHEMY!!!!" Thomas screeched!

St. Thomas, Bede, and Muhammad

Each of these men came from a different period in time as well as place. St. Thomas was a man who had opinions on whether government and God decided the things that surrounded us. Bede was a man who cited his resources as well as made sure his sources were valid. Muhammad was a man who was given the last message from Allah to humanity. Muhammad and St. Thomas questioned how God could rule everything, while Muhammad and Bede talked about how each could show that their writings were indeed what each claimed them to be. It is interesting when comparing these three men how they thought about God and obtained their information.

Conversation between St. Thomas and Hammurabi

St. Thomas Aquinas was a Catholic Saint who wrote the The Summa Theologica, which was written as an introduction to the Catholic religion and to use reasoning to explain the existence of God and God’s position in government.

Hammurabi was an exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land.

Both of these men believed that God played a major role in government.

St. Thomas believed that God governed men individually and therefore all government acted under Divine intellect.

Hammurabi feared God and used that fear to create the fist record of laws that we know of. Theses laws were influenced by his belief in God and therefore, God was instrumental in the creation of these laws.

Of Story Tellers and Historians

First, I’d like to say that I took a bit of creative liberty with this assignment. I chose to have the Venerable Bede converse with Sin-liqe-unninni, the author of Gilgamesh, about the importance of using reliable sources. The setting: Starbucks. Sin-liqe-unninni is enjoying an extra-hot, grande chai tea, with no whip. Bede sips his double tall, non-fat soy mocha. How the conversation gets started: a voice from above asks, “How important is it to use reliable sources in one’s writing?” Bede stresses the importance of using reliable sources. Sin-liqe-unninni points out that he didn’t exactly have that option. He then counters by stating that at least the Church wasn’t censoring him. Ultimately they agree that given each of their separate circumstances they both did the best that they could. They also agree that their works had different target audiences. The discussion ends amicably.

Conversation between Muhammad and Gilgamesh

For my essay quiz this week I wrote a conversation that I imagine would occur between Muhammad, writer of the Quran and Gilgamesh. I thought that because of their difference in geographical location, religious beliefs and cultural traditions their conversation would be directed at convincing one another that their own ideas were the right ones. Where Muhammad believes in one God, Gilgamesh believes in many, and that in itself is cause for a great argument between these two historical figures. Both of these men would be likely to be stubborn in their beliefs and I don’t think that a conversation between the two would change either of their minds about what they truly believe in.

Gilgamesh

I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be very interesting. I never knew that such a historical story that is as mythological as that of the Greeks even existed for Europe. When I looked for a second source to help understand the story more I found that it is believed to be written about a real historical king of Uruk. I have been wondering whether the writer wrote the piece for historical documentation, for entertainment, or if it was actually commisioned by the king himself to portray his power. It is always hard with stories like this to understand the overall intent. Especially since the translations are not always accurate in context to the original version.
The Code of Hammurabi is very different. It has a clear purpose and is easily understood. It is a clear set of laws in which to live by and the punishments that would be placed on those who did not. But they are both pieces that are very important to us historically.

Gregorian Chant

Let's set the stage for our study this week with a little Gregorian Chant.

Epic of Gilgamesh grades

There were some really good points made in your posting! I look forward to the next set of Blog posts which will be in Week 4! This will be a quick, pithy entry :).

The Epic of the Online Class

There is a common thread between all of the articles we read and that is that they are all different forms of writings. Two are earlier forms of writing and the other is based on the newest type of communication; email. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest recorded written script. It was originally told over and over again and then written down in the third millennium B.C. One of the draw backs of this story is that in the translation some of the story was lost. The Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest written set of rules that exist. It is the laws of the past where the Web Etiquette is the laws that we follow now while on the Internet. While the code was more a set of laws for the community, netiquette is more a set of manners for people to follow while writing to people in the dark so to say.

Epic of the Online Class

The Epic of Gilgamesh as well as the Code of Hammurabi can relate to each other through the insight they both give of early civilization. As more people lived closed together, how was society kept together? In the story of Gilgamesh the king, Gilgamesh took what he wanted. He raped the daughters, took the wives before their own husbands, forced sons into military service. Gilgamesh is part god and could not be questioned. He could change rules that governed the natural world, if they served his purpose. An example of this occurs when Gilgamesh kills the divine bull. He broke the laws of gods and was punished but the rule of Gilgamesh was beyond the "walls".

In contrast to Gilgamesh, King Hammurabi codified rules to govern society. People under Hammurabi's rule could look to laws in order to settle disputes and maintain civility with their neighbors. If you were inside the "walls" you obeyed the laws. Although some of the punishments were severe, people knew what to expect for commiting crimes and unjustices.

Society became more civil with the rule of law and consequently Babylon flourished.

Netiquette, in modern communications, establishes rules that govern our actions in a medium that could lend itself to misunderstanding. Emails, blogs, and other forms of communication with technology lack the ability to detect facial expressions, subtle sarcasm, or voice influctions that could change the intended meaning of a communication.

Rules empower people to govern themselves and take responsibility for their actions so, as a soceity, we can prosper.

The Epic of the Online Classroom

Communication and learning occur through many different mediums. Despite the swiftly changing channels through which communication is possible, one thing has remained constant. There have always been a set of socially accepted rules of etiquette one must employ when communicating with others. One of the earliest examples of writing is the Epic of Gilgamesh, a story that has survived for thousands of years which provided its original audience with lessons of morality and the consequences of disobeying those social norms. Epic stories were the very beginning of the laws that govern our society today. Similarly the Code of Hammurabi, the first known set of written laws, provided ancient Mesopotamians with clear guidelines for behavior and set consequences. The Code is the model for which modern laws are modeled. Even today, in our online classroom, there are rules and expected behavior. Having these expected behaviors is what makes civil and productive communication possible.

The Epic of the Online Class

The Epic of Gilgamesh, the online classroom, and the Code of Hammurabi are all connected because they are historical points. The Code of Hammurabi and the Epic of Gilgamesh both mark certain points in ancient Bablylonia - the need for the written word and the need for a leader to be fair. The online class marks what academics have been saying since the 1980s - that there is an internet revolution. The online classroom is part of that revolution, because it allows for more learning and discussion between people who are physically distant, or between people who would and those who would not be able to access education (who are usually defined as non-traditional students with part-time or full-time jobs or careers, and therefore are not often able to physically attend a college or university ) otherwise, again due to the distance. Before the internet, this was not possible.
Also with all three of these is the need for a higher, recognized authority. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, it was the gods. In the Code of Hammurabi, it is the law. The judges are also a higher authority figure, though they too are punishable by the law. In the online classroom, it is, of course, the professors teaching the course, as well as the Netiquette rules/laws.

Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the most common topics discussed in history classes with good reason. It gives us an idea of how mankind began with their idea on laws. However no one with certainty can pinpoint when the history of mankind began. We can have a varied speculation about any evidence of early man in specified areas such as those destined archeological digs. The discovery of an ancient civilization is never truly the place on where mankind began even though Mesopotamia is considered the cradle of where man began. There are only two recognized clear paths one could take while comparing parallel stories to the Epic of Gilgamesh and that is religious or folklore. You can take the middle path which is the neutral and most common path. With this approach if some evidence presents itself either in a religious or mythical ways, then you are more likely to choose whatever makes more sense to you at that moment without falling into either category. However, in this case the scientific, such as with social anthropology and Ethnology would work when reflecting on both of these ancient writings. What sticks out to me the most about these stories is the birth of law.

That being said the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Code of Hammurabi is just one of the versions of the beginning of man and laws as the Bible is another version. All ancient civilizations have heroes and villains it is how we understand good from evil or right from wrong. But there is a drawback and that is what that civilization considered right from wrong. When we read Gilgamesh and his pursuits of young girls and bedding the bride before the groom we think what a tyrant. His people began thinking that he was overstepping boundaries as well a requested godly assistance to rectify to problem. What causes one to question a leader’s actions is to question himself with “Would I behave this way if I were the leader?” This is how laws get modified and that would include the behavior of Hammurabi version of laws as well.

From these basic beginnings of extreme laws and abidance comes the more justified laws and abidance of today. These laws of course have been refined throughout the ages especially by the Romans which happen to be an adopted idea for use in current U.S. laws and abidance. We can take both of the stories and learn from how mankind’s idea of laws started and their reasons behind them. I believe the idea of laws at first was not just about control but it was about civilizing societies so they would worked together to better our survival and increase our kind. Unfortunately the human ambition to be on top can drive the most sincere people to be power hungry which is what I think happened in both stories. Gilgamesh was powerful to the point of madness and Enkidu used his power to maintain companionship with Gilgamesh. Hammurabi was so consumed with his way or the highway attitude that he made so many laws to ensure his way that he couldn’t keep up with which caused widespread fear. It is a prime example of how such behaviors are not just reserved for the “barbaric’ but has the capability to reveal itself just as easily within a civilized foundation of today.

The Epic of the Online Class

In the realm of Online UW, there taught two professors: Professor Keller and Professor Ditzler. Both professors were knowledgeable and experienced in their fields. These two professors teamed up to teach an online class together. They are the heroes of this newest epic, the online classroom. Using ancient texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Code of Hammurabi, they imparted knowledge to all their students. The lessons taught were not just static, however. Professor Ditzler and Professor Keller utilized the latest forms of technology and communication in their “classroom”. By using ancient texts for comparison, the professors conveyed the importance of conduct and social order to their pupils; likening the ancient teachings to the modern rules of Netiquette. Lessons were taught in such a way that students could easily draw parallels and connections between the modern and ancient worlds. Interactions between students and professors expanded everyone’s knowledge and understanding of both the ancient and modern worlds.

The Epic of Gilgamesh Online

The reach of the rules governing our societies do not simply stop at the gateway to the Internet, nor do the same rules convert and apply entirely in Internet interaction that do in face-to-face conversation. If we thought of the netiquette site as a modern day Code of Hammurabi tablet with rules and punishments that everyone has access to, we might come to understand what is acceptable and punishable online. Punishment does not come from Dr. Ditzler, Dr. Keller, or other students equal to the form of Humbaba, but rather in the form of being judged as rude, hostile, and even lazy as a result of using capital letters and minimal comments. Our everyday communication outside the Internet is our Uruk; however, when we step outside the walls of our familiar domain and into the dark Internet, like Gilgamesh, we cannot see or hear anything. There is a distinct advantage from the metaphorical dark and the darkness of the Epic. That advantage is the ability to write with clarity and delivering a message that we all can comprehend.

The Epic of Online Class

The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Code of Hammurabi are both ancient writings from Mesopotamia. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story about a king, Gilgamesh while The Code of Hammurabi is written law. Both ancient texts have the culture of the era, religion, moral standards, and social expectations.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is told through a story. In the course of the story Gilgamesh learns several life lessons about how one should behave. He is punished by the gods and learns to appreciate his people. The Code of Hammurabi is a list of laws, a boast about a king and a text to instill fear from the gods. Both texts are written for social conduct.

In an online classroom culture and social expectations are also present; there are rules of conduct. Most people learn the rules of online communication through trial and error. Now, there are several written texts on what is expected in online communication, what is deemed inappropriate and what is acceptable.

The Epic of the Online Class

The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Code of Hammurabi provide valuable insight into the earliest communication of man. They provide a sense of governing, something society naturally strives for. They provide an irreplaceable glimpse of things such as grammar patterns, social concerns during that time, and appropriate means with which to deal with situations.

Gilgamesh and the ruler called Hammurabi provide leadership to the tenants of their land, as well as a sense of rules and laws. These strict means of regulation have further morphed into what our society knows as government or laws today. This, in turn, brings up the epic of the online class.

The sense of leadership, ruling, and regulation that has been evident since the early writings of The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Code of Hammurabi continues on through the online classroom. Regardless of what social class or setting one is participating in, there are social norms, which is also evident through the learning of an online classroom.

The Epic of the Online Classroom

Before deciding how to describe the Epic of the Online Classroom, I thought it would be beneficial to define the word epic. Wilkipedia defines the word epic as a long narrative poem in elevated stature presenting characters of high position in adventures forming an organic whole through their relation to a central heroic figure and through their development of episodes important to the history of a nation or race.

Traditionally epics are viewed as stories such as the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, I think a case can be built that the online classrooms today are forming their own version of an epic. They are doing this with one of the newest form of written communication, the internet. The students in online classrooms are on continuous adventures through relations with professors, other students, and even technology; in doing so they are developing episodes important to education.

Characters in an epic story would have to adhere to certain expectations. Students in online classrooms are also expected to follow certain expectations. An example of guidelines an epic character may have to follow is those listed in the Code of Hammaurabi. While those guidelines would not apply to a student in an online classroom, students have their own set of expectations: Nettiquette.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest written communication, and the code of Hammurabi is the oldest set of laws known to man. It is exciting to know that we can review history and see how far man has come, as well as being a part of the other end of the spectrum – the newest form of written communication with its own set of laws.

The Epic of the Online Class

It is intriguing to read these ancient writings and relate them to the biographies and laws of today’s world. Maybe it is lack of inspiration and following, but it is difficult to imagine people thousands of years from now discovering a biography written about a leader today with the same admiration. Gilgamesh was a king so impressive that his adventures were meant to be celebrated for eternity. There is no doubt of embellishment in the Epic of Gilgamesh, but for the author to have gone through the meticulous effort to chisel twelve tablets to ensure Gilgamesh’s triumphs were continued, gives us some idea of his stature in the Sumerian culture.
This concept is also true for the Code of Hammurabi. These laws were created to shape this ancient society and it also set the mold for governing our civilization. The stone tablet containing the Code of Hammurabi has carefully been preserved for thousands of years and covers so many laws and rules in our world today.

The Epic of the Online Class

What I find striking in these readings is the severity with which seemingly minor infractions were punished. The death penalty is rampant through-out the code of Hammurabi. Alongside this theme of violence which is found in both writings, I find references to sexism just about everywhere I find a reference to women.
Another striking element in these readings are the parallels between them and the bible. Even the tone of the writing in the code of Hammurabi sounds very much like something out of that text despite the fact that one culture is polytheistic and the other is monotheistic with a few thousand years in between. Yet, out of the polytheistic religion comes this monotheistic religion... How? And what effect does this have on social order? I need to understand more about the history and so I plan on spending a good deal of time reading into it, but I would be interested to hear other’s thoughts and/or information about it as well.

The Epic of the Online Class

The Epic of Gilgamesh is comprised of a story that shows how a man that is made mostly of God-like powers. Due to the way he treats his people a wild man is created named Enkidu to become his rival who was to have great strength but because he submitted to a woman he lost all his powers. Then the two meet and become great friends. From here on the Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight and defeat the demon Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven but they have to suffer the consequences of what they have done. Shortly after defeating these two monsters Enkidu falls ill and dies leaving Gilgamesh torn and lost. He seeks out eternal life but is unable to open it.

The Code of Hammurabi is one that is made up of laws that governed the society during that time. There were rules and laws the citizens had to follow or be punished for any wrong doing. Here is where one could say there is a tie in between the Code of Hammurabi and the rules of Netiquette. Whether it is through person to person interactions or an interaction between people on the internet there are rules that much be followed. If one does not follow those rules they will have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

The Epic of the Online Class

Since the beginning of time man has desired to order our world, and temper our interaction. Often in human communication, we find moral tales meant to assist the individual in journeying in their own time toward an understanding of a moral lesson. This mode of moral legislation is found in The Epic of Gilgamesh. We follow Gilgamesh through his trials, and reach through our own unique perceptions a similar but singular truism.

Just as we followed Gilgamesh, so to will we follow our professors. As we as a class wander through the darkened chambers of historical documents we will read the same words. We will speak with one another and reach some similar conclusions. In the end we will move away from out temporary scholastic connection and return to our own disparate cultural environments, each of us with our own wholly unique understanding of history through time.

Hammurabi

Since we are looking at the Code of Hammurabi this week, here is a short video about Babylon in the era of Hammurabi.