Instructors: Seth Schein, Department of Comparative Literature and Laurie Glover, University Writing Program, College of Letters and Science
Description: We shall read Homer’s Iliad, selections from Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida to see how ancient conceptions of war, heroism, and allegiance, of public and private discourse, and of gender relations are transformed and critiqued in the evolution of Troilus from a military to a mainly erotic and romantic hero. We shall team-teach the course, with Prof. Schein responsible for leading discussion of the Iliad in its historical cultural context; Dr. Glover responsible for leading discussion of Troilus and Criseyde in light of the transformation of heroic epic into northern European medieval romance and of the Early Modern historical context; and both of us equally responsible for leading discussion of Shakespeare’s play. Our goals for the course are to enable the students to learn about the ways cultural values are carried forward by stories, and how stories retold reflect changes in cultural values. This understanding will in turn enable them to consider and perhaps challenge their own martial and romantic values and expectations. The students also will acquire enhanced skills in close reading and interpretation.
Format: The weekly schedule will consist of the two-hour class meeting. Students will be expected to read the assigned texts thoughtfully and in full. No additional films or performances will be assigned. Grading: the P/NP grade will be based on students' preparation, contributions to class discussion, individual oral reports, and occasional reflection papers.
About the Instructors: Laurie Glover teaches in the University Writing Program, the English Department, the Nature and Culture Program, and the Humanities Program. In her teaching and writing, she focuses on Renaissance literary culture in historical context. She is a poet, novelist, essayist, and dramaturg.
Seth Schein teaches regularly for Comparative Literature and Classics and has taught for Humanities, Women's Studies, Critical Theory, the Davis Honors Challenge, and the Freshman Seminar program. He specializes in ancient Greek literature and its reception, Shakespeare, gender and interpretation, and the representation of history in literature. He writes mainly on Homeric epic and Greek tragedy.