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Academic Year 2001/2002

Women in Ancient Greece
CCIV 110 SP
Crosslistings:
WMST 111

Many of the archetypes of the female in the literature and culture of the West are derived from the myths and literature of Ancient Greece: Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Antigone, and Medea, for example. In this course we will read many of the texts in which these figures and their associated myths appear and we will consider how the category of gender affects our understanding and interpretation of them. No previous knowledge of the material is assumed. In the journals described below, students will have an opportunity both to articulate their own reactions to the material and to subject their responses to critical analysis. The goals of the course are twofold: to learn about the representation of women in the literature of ancient Greece, and to develop an understanding of the assumptions we commonly bring to these texts and the ways in which those assumptions affect our interpretation.

MAJOR READINGS

Preliminary list; final selection of readings dependent on text availability. Consult course syllabus on Wesleyan homepage after 6/97 for final list: http://www.wesleyan.edu/
Homer, ILIAD (selections);
Homer, ODYSSEY (selections);
Hesiod, THEOGONY, and selections from WORKS AND DAYS;
The Homeric Hymn to Demeter;
GREEK LYRIC POETRY (Alcman, Sappho, Pindar, Corinna; Women Poets of the Hellenistic Period);
Aeschylus, ORESTEIA;
Sophocles, ANTIGONE, ELECTRA;
Euripides, MEDEA, ELECTRA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Regular assignments will include: assigned reading and background materials located on the Web Site for the course. Examinations: none. Papers: Three 3 to 5 page papers on suggested topics; One 7 to 10 page final paper; Papers will be posted on the Web and each class member will be required to comment on all papers. Papers will be graded for coherence and originality, and also for grammar and spelling.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Interested prospective students may consult the Web page for this course at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/~katz/cciv110.html No unexcused absences from class; students are expected to attend class and to participate regularly in class discussion.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002

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