ENGLISH 337 DR MARGARITIS : ITS LITERATURE AND CULTURE SUMMER 2019

SYLLABUS

This course studies a selection of the most important works that Greek culture has bequeathed to Western civilization: ancient Greek myths, primary texts that constitute our earliest extant versions of the great Greco-Roman myths. These particular myths are grounded in the history and culture of the country, and we will be using to the fullest our opportunity of spending two weeks in Greece, visiting the most important of the country’s archaeological sites, sites connected with the literature.

We will study the literature as fully as possible: in aesthetic terms (as works of art, involving discussion of major themes, motifs, genres, style); in historical terms (the evolution of literature in Greek culture, and the relation of this literature to social and political phenomena); and also in relation to specific locations with which this literature is associated.

I will, during the summer on-campus session, include a number of lectures on the archaeology and the history of Greece from ancient times to the twentieth century, so that students get the most out of their experience of traveling in the country in the most informed and knowledgeable way.

TEXTS: Available on WWU Canvas under “Files”

Hesiod: Theogony (tr. Athanassakis. Johns Hopkins) The Homeric Hymns (tr. Athanassakis. Johns Hopkins) Euripides: The Bacchae (tr. Arrowsmith. Chicago): I will give you a link for this Aeschylus: Oresteia (tr. Lattimore. Chicago): I will give you a link for this Ovid: Metamorphoses (tr. Humphries. Indiana). NB: Though a Roman writer, Ovid has passed on to us the only extant versions of many of the most famous Greek myths; and these are indispensable to our study. Pausanias: selections from his ancient travel itinerary (Loeb edition)

REQUIREMENTS:

You are welcome to this course, regardless of major or degree of experience in literature. In turn you should consider it a privilege to be studying works of this quality. Be present, on time, prepared, and alert. Realize that the success of the class is not a function of the professor alone; it’s a reciprocal responsibility, and you’ll discover that (in some karmic fashion) the more you’re willing to give in terms of hard work and enthusiasm, the higher the level of all-round satisfaction from our class meetings.

There is an attendance policy and here’s how it goes: I allow you two absences during the on-campus session, after which each additional absence will knock down your total grade for the course by one notch, e.g. from a B to a B – for the first, from a B – to a C + for a second, and so on. Attendance during the 2- week session in Greece is absolutely obligatory. Only in the case of severe illness or accident (which hopefully will not happen) will other arrangements be made.

MARGARITIS: 2

GRADING SCALE:

Your course grade will be based on: 2 essay exams (100 points each); a travel journal (100 points); and an “overseas behavioral component” which the International Programs office is requiring (200 points). This last involves participation in the excursions and responsible behavior; missing an excursion will lower your cumulative total, as will irresponsible behavior (drug use, too much alcohol, etc.). Drinking is allowed for you in Greece, only know how much you can handle and don’t overdo it. For our brief two-week period do not even think of marijuana use; it will create serious problems, and I can dock you the whole behavioral component. I’ve never had problems in the past with students; and the Athens Centre which hosts us has been highly impressed with every group I’ve taken there, so let’s keep things good, for you, for me, for the hope that we can still continue to take groups there in the future.

100-93 = A (outstanding) 92-90 = A – (excellent) 89-87 = B + (very good) 86-83 = B (good) 82-80 = B – (fairly good) 79-77 = C + (fair) 76-73 = C (average) 72-70 = C – (weak) 69-67 = D + (minimal) 66-60 = D (really minimal) 59 & below = F (self-explanatory)

OTHER BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS:

These constitute what I’d like to think, but have sometimes discovered are not, perfectly obvious rules of professional behavior. So, at the risk of sounding like those packaged instructions that warn the happy- go-lucky buyer repeatedly, in five languages, not to take the electronic apparatus into the bathtub, here goes: 1. KILL YOUR PHONE, even before entering class. NO TEXTING. 2. No talking, except when you have the floor of discussion. Counterpoint is fine in music but rude while someone else, teacher or fellow student, is talking. 3. No extraneous activities, e.g. TEXTING, sexting, reading lurid tabloids, doing homework, listening to headphones, flossing your teeth in the back row (or any row), making out, cutting your toenails, etc., etc. (all “based on true stories,” as they say). 4. No dozing or sleeping, or I’m sure to call on you. 5. NO FOOD. This is not a cafeteria, and to practice asceticism like the good Holy Fathers of the Desert is a useful discipline. 6. No hats, caps, etc. during class. It’s not personal – it’s just a matter of being professional. Plus I want to see the person I’m talking to, and covered heads are so deplorably interchangeable. 7. I reserve the right to add to this list any necessary things overlooked.

 By choosing to remain in this class, you acknowledge and accept these conditions.

MARGARITIS: 3

SCHEDULE OF READINGS:

JUNE Wed 26: Introduction: History of Ancient Greece: Origins to the Roman Period

Thurs 27: Hesiod: Theogony (+ Endnotes) Ovid: Metamorphoses (from Book 6: Minerva & Arachne) “ (from Book 2: Herse, Aglauros, Pandrosos)

Pics: ATHENS (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Agora, Archaeological Museum)

Fri 28: Homeric Hymn # 3 (+ Endnotes) Homeric Hymn # 7 (+ Endnotes) Ovid, Metamorphoses (from Book 3: Pentheus & Bacchus) Pics: DELPHI

JULY Mon 1: Euripides: Bacchae Pics: ATHENS (Theatre of Dionysus)

Tues 2: EXAM I

Wed 3: Ovid: Metamorphoses (from Book 7: Theseus) “ (from Book 9: Herakles) “ (from Book 12: Centauromachia, i.e. battle) Pics: ATHENS: Hephaestion (Theseon). Acropolis: Metopes

Thurs 4: HOLIDAY

Fri 5: HOLIDAY

Mon 8 : Aeschylus: Agamemnon

Tues 9: Aeschylus: Libation-Bearers & Eumenides

Wed 10: Pausanias: selections from his ancient travel itinerary through Greece Pics: ancient oracle of Zeus in ; ancient ruins of Kassiopi; the Aheron Gorge entrance to the mythological land of the dead (Hades)

Thurs 11: EXAM II

Fri 12: Lecture: History of Byzantine Greece & Orthodox Christianity Pics: Monasteries: Metamorphosis, Aghia Triada, Aghios Nikolaos Anapafsas

Mon 15: Lecture: History of later Greece to the 20th Century: Ottoman and Modern Greece Pics: sites from Metsovo, , the Zagorohoria, Yiannina MARGARITIS: 4

Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking this course, students will:

(1) Gain and understanding and appreciation of Greek mythology and its primary sources (2) Understand the historical, social, intellectual, and foundation of the ancient Greek culture that produced this mythology and literature (3) Understand and appreciate, via direct on-site personal experience and guided tours, the art and architecture of this culture that has been the foundation of the art and architecture of Western Civilization (4) Understand the connection between this art and architecture and the religious sentiment that inspired it, in relationship to the mythological literature (5) Gain a knowledge of the history of Greece also from the Middle Ages to modern times (6) Appreciate, directly and personally, via travel through Greece, important aspects of the culture: its people, lifestyle, customs, social habits and conventions, its food