Introduction to Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe through an examination of one or a few major culture conflicts expressed in the literary genres and periods.
- Analyze primary and secondary texts on topics in literary, film, and/or cultural studies.
- Employ theoretical frameworks in the construction of original oral, written, and/or multimodal projects.
- Explain the role that history and culture play in the construction, reception, and/or performance of texts and artistic products.
- Construct clear, persuasive, and ethical arguments for both academic and non-academic audiences
- Identify the various social, political, economic, and aesthetic forces that shape artistic and commercial production.
- Understand how scientific and technological innovation occurs in a global cultural context informed by humanistic inquiry.
You will come to know and understand one of the most impactful narrative traditions (and their rhetorical, philosophical, etc. features) in world literature, with a focus on some of the medieval retellings. This means you will substantially enhance your cultural literacy as a well-educated future thinker and leader. Subject matter expertise & critical analysis
Reading or listening to poetry (and other stories of human imagination) not only stimulates emotional and aesthetic responses but also enhances cognitive functions like flexible thinking and the capacity to understand complex, multiple meanings, all beneficial to everyday decision-making. Cognitive functions
Learning and translating a historical variant of English may have the same function as learning a new language, which is known to increase academic performance; improve concentration; empower memory; enhance communication skills; increase creativity. Performance & communication
Reading hardcopy (material books) maximizes your understanding and retention of
what you’re reading, increasing these outcomes by six to eight times over reading a digital text. Comprehension & memory
Reading as an activity reduces stress and helps relaxation (may even increase longevity), enhances empathy, improves language skills and knowledge of the world, boosts creativity and flexibility, and helps you grow as a person. Quality of life, humanity, personal growth
For a large portion of this class, we will consciously limit the recent technologies created to hijack your attention and keep you from in-depth deliberation. This will increase human-to-human social interaction, which in turn generally leads to increased learning outcomes. Learning & humanity
- 9780140275360 Iliad by Homer / Fagles, Robert (Translator) – Paperback
- 9780743273312 Troilus and Cressidaby Shakespeare, William – Paperback
- 9780393927559 Troilus and Criseydeby Chaucer, Geoffrey / Barney, Stephen A. – Paperback
- 9780679729525 Aeneidby Virgil / Fitzgerald, Robert (Translator) -- Paperback
All other materials for the course will be supplied to you at no cost, including Robert Henryson, Testament of Cresseid
List of Graded Assignments
- 10-20 ultra short quizzes to test reading assignments (total of 200 points available)
- Active class preparation and participation (total of 200 points available)
- Collaborative assignment (total of 300 points available)
- Final exam (total of 300 points available)
Detailed assignment information will be provided for each type of assignment ahead of time.
Grading scale
This class uses a traditional grading scale: A 90% or higher [900-1000 points]; B 80% - 89% [800-899 points]; C 70% - 79% [700-799 points]; D 60% - 69% [600-699 points]; F Less than 60% [0-599 points]. Please remember: Unplanned and/or unexcused absences result in an automatic deduction of 5% (50 points) of total available points (+no make-up offered for exams or quizzes missed).
Most of the of learning in this class takes place during social interactions during class meetings. Therefore, attendance is mandatory. GT Policy: “Although it is recognized that occasionally it may be necessary for students to be absent from scheduled classes [...] for personal reasons, including major religious observances, students are responsible for all material covered in their absences, and they are responsible for the academic consequences of their absences. Students should discuss planned absences with their instructors as soon as possible after the beginning of an academic term. Work missed may be made up at the discretion of the instructors. [...] Students who are absent because of participation in approved Institute activities (such as field trips and athletic events) will be permitted to make up the work missed during their absences. Approval of such activities will be granted by the Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate, and statements of the approved absence may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar”]. Parsed for our class, this means: You may miss one (1) class meeting for any reason, no questions asked. Any other unplanned and/or unexcused absence results in an automatic deduction of 5% of total available points for the semester (+no make-up offered for exams or quizzes missed). There should not be more than three (3) planned/excused absences during the semester (contact me during the first two weeks of the semester if you believe there might be more). Finally: Arriving more than 30 minutes late to class will count as an unexcused absence.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
As your instructor, I will make every effort to create a classroom environment in which honesty flourishes, and as a GT student you have made a commitment to abide by our institutional Honor CodeLinks to an external site.. – I will share specific guidelines as to the use of AI for an assignment due towards the end of the semester.