Please review the Discussion Example in the How to Succeed module. The topic for this unit's discussion is below, but the criteria for success are outlined and modeled in the Unit 1 Discussion Example.
Begin by carefully reading The Odyssey and the Unit 3 content.
This discussion aligns with Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.
Summary of Key Tasks
- Read The Odyssey and Unit 3 content.
- Create an interview simulation by choosing a character and writing at least three questions you want answered by that character.
- Use an AI chatbot to answer the questions as the character and copy the questions and chatbot's answers into your post.
- Analyze the chatbot's responses, including and citing direct quotations from The Odyssey to support your analysis.
- Respond to at least two classmates' posts.
Task
In 2-3 well-developed paragraphs discuss the topic listed below. After you have posted your discussion, respond in detail to the Discussion Topic posts of at least two other classmates.
Begin by carefully reading The Odyssey and the Unit 3 content.
Part 1
For this discussion, you are a reporter for a reputable news outlet who has been following Odysseus’s adventures throughout the Mediterranean. While you have an interview scheduled with Odysseus himself in the future, before this conversation you have decided to talk with the people he encountered during his journey.
- Select a character from The Odyssey that you find particularly interesting. Write at least three open-ended or behavioral questions you want the character to answer to provide background for your interview with Odysseus. (Be sure to ask about the character's interactions with Odysseus.)
- Choose an AI-assisted text generator/chatbot like Microsoft Copilot to pose as your interviewee. Before entering the questions for your interview, be sure to explain to the chatbot that it is to answer as your chosen character from The Odyssey. Once you have established the persona the chatbot is imitating, ask your questions and record both your queries and the chatbot's responses.
- Copy your queries and the chatbot's responses into your post. If you ask more than three questions, share the three responses you find most thought-provoking--either because they align perfectly with how you imagine the character would respond or introduce an unexpected, intriguing perspective.
Note: This discussion is meant to be a fun simulation and exploration of the characters in The Odyssey. Please reach out to your professor for options at least two days before the due date if you have concerns about using an AI chatbot.
Part 2
After recording your character’s responses to your questions, analyze the results and respond to the following questions. Support your claims with evidence from the text of The Odyssey, including direct quotations.
- How factually accurate are the AI-generated responses, given what we have read in the text of The Odyssey itself?
- How closely does the voice of the responses align with your understanding of the character’s personality? You might want to consider the vocabulary, grammar, humor, idiomatic expressions, or unexpected references.
- What two follow-up questions would you ask your character?
- Were any of the chatbot's responses illogical or inconsistent with the original story or character?
- How trustworthy do you believe Odysseus is as a narrator in light of your hypothetical interview with this character?
Grading Criteria
This activity may use a different grading rubric than what is used in other activities. Be sure to check the rubric before starting.
MLA-formatted parenthetical citations are required for all sources, including the texts provided in this course. Citations should include the author’s last name (first reference) and the page number(s) for prose or the line number(s) for poems. A Works Cited-style entry is not required for discussions, (all drop-box assignments do require a Works Cited page), but if included, your instructor may provide feedback to correct formatting issues.