English 310 Spring 2000 Online Research Project: Gods and Goddesses in Calliopia   Completed Student Projects  

For this project, you will be working with two or three classmates in the realm Calliopia, on the MOO Connections. Each group will work on one god or goddess  of Greek or Roman mythology.  Your project will consist of
 

• building a temple actually erected for your deity in the ancient world
• describing the environs of the temple and the rituals performed there
• describing the deity's appearance in detail--even taking this appearance on yourself!
• re-enacting three myths involving the deity in an updated, online way.

Here’s how to set to work:

For the rest of the semester, we will meet in a computer lab every Monday for class.  This will give you time to learn your way around the MOO.  In the meantime, however, you should set about some good old-fashioned research.  Meet with your group and exchange email addresses; divide the work of researching and keep in touch regularly about how it is going.  As you work, take careful notes about what “props” you will want in your deity’s dwelling and how best to convey his/her attributes, myths, strengths, etc.

MOOing from your home:

As soon as possible, I recommend that you begin to meet your group members in the Connections MOO.  To make this easier, I recommend that you get your home computer set up with a MUD client. Click here for instructions on downloading Pueblo on your home computer.  It’s free, simple and takes only twenty minutes or so.  Although you can get to Connections from the web page, it is much better to have a “MUD client” like Pueblo, because this gives you the split screen so you can see your typing separate from what others are typing.  There are many other MUD clients, so if Pueblo doesn’t work on your computer, visit the Connections web site for a link to
other clients.

Evaluation Criteria

Your project will be graded according to the following criteria:

• accuracy and fullness of information about the god/goddess
• accuracy, detail, and suitability of dwelling you build
• accuracy of description of temple environs and ritual worship
• understanding of the myths as evidenced in the acting of them in the MOO.
• accuracy of your writing, including spelling, mechanics and grammar.

To see students' completed online research projects, click here.