The society, culture, values and outlook on life of the ancient Greeks as expressed in their mythology; their views on life, birth, marriage, death, sex and sexuality; on culture and civilization, the origin and meaning of the world. Their use of myth to think about, and give order to human experience. The course includes some of the most important works of Western literature in English translation (the 'Odyssey', the 'Theogony', twelve plays by leading Greek dramatists (Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides), along with their historical and religious context, as well as drawing on material evidence (vase paintings, sculpture, archaeological sites).

This course is intended as an introduction to the themes, characters and images of Greek and Roman myth. We will create the universe, gods, and humans, and then focus on particular heroes as opportunities to consider the scope and interpretations of the mythology. We will consider how these ancient cultures conceived of deity, what it meant to be human and how they dealt with the mysterious and the inexplicable. Primary evidence (literary references, physical remains such as temples and monuments, and iconography in sculpture and vase painting) will be used to identify and interpret the myths, study their origins, and analyze their importance for our understanding of ancient belief systems. Particular attention will be paid to the role of mythology in ancient religious ritual and its influence on culture. Lectures will be illustrated with images of ancient and more recent art, as one goal of the course is to provide the tools to recognize myths and characters in art. Course requirements: three exams (short answers, essays, and slide identification), several projects and one paper, attendance and participation in weekly discussion sections.

Credit Restrictions

Students will receive no credit for CLASSIC 28 after completing CLASSIC N28, CLASSIC S28X, or CLASSIC S28. A deficient grade in CLASSIC 28 may be removed by taking CLASSIC N28, or CLASSIC N28.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills