Greek literature presents us with fascinating stories and memorable characters, from Homer s Achilles to Sophocles Oedipus, from the women of Aristophanes s comedy Lysistrata to Plato s Socrates. In this course, we will read many of these great works and learn about the social, political and cultural context in which they were produced. Major themes include the concept of heroism and relations between individual and community, divine and mortal, man and woman. These themes will be discussed as they relate to the literature and society of Ancient Greece, but also as they relate to our lives today. There will be approximately 90 pages of reading per week, two short papers, a midterm and a final examination.
All reading is in English.
All others need permission of instructor. This course will explore some of the manifold arts of identity in antiquity and their relevance to us today through a variety of ancient and contemporary sources. And it will explore some of the ways in which these two ways of looking are often invisibly connected. A final paper of about 10 pp. or a joint in-class presentation will allow students to synthesize their findings from over the course of the term. All others need permission of instructor.