Humanities

Homer’s Iliad: Gore, Glory, Gods, And Wrath

Class Description:
The Iliad is the oldest work in the Western canon, a daunting poem both in length and subject: glorious warriors; death, dying, and more death; valor and defeat; all overseen by a colorful array of vivid gods involved in the whole scene as well as looking on. While relatively few people these days read the whole poem, most might at least have heard that it has “something to do with the Trojan War.” Homer asks the Muse to tell the story of one man’s anger and its terrible consequences. But what really is Achilles so angry about? The answer may not be as obvious as he–and we–first think it is.

The Iliad is longer than the Odyssey, and most people find it more alien in the way its tells its story, harder to relate to as modern people. All of us will have the same unabridged text, but we’ll read selections of the poem aloud during class, in the manner the original was meant to be experienced. While the course does not require students to have the read the Iliad in advance, it might certainly be helpful to pick up a translation and try to know something of the poem before attending the course. Notes, hand-outs, and plot summaries will be provided for all students. We’ll use the Robert Fagles translation for this course.

Journeys to the Underworld: From Dante to Homer and Back Again

Class Description:
This course, which begins and ends in Dante’s journey to the worlds after death, will look at visions of the afterlife in Western literature which informed his magnificent Inferno: from Homer, Plato, and Vergil. All Epic heroes make a required visit to the “Otherworld” as witness for the dead and to receive lessons they may have for the living. Each of the works we read will introduce us to heroes sent on this difficult journey by Fate or force, for duty or for love; none return unchanged by their encounters. In all cases, lessons are learned to be shared with us. We’re likely to find that the ancient dead can teach us what these cultures thought made a good life - one worth living.

Readings will include selections from Dante’s Inferno, Homer’s Odyssey, Plato’s Republic and Apology, and Vergil’s Aeneid. All students should purchase a copy of the Mandelbaum (trans.) Inferno (available in pbk on Amazon); all other texts will be provided in xeroxed form.

Modern Israeli Culture through Film

Class Description:
In this course we will explore modern Israel’s rich and complex culture through a selection of engaging films. From the challenges of welcoming successive waves of immigration, to the changing gender norms and relations of Jews between Arabs, Israeli Cinema will allow us to learn about all these fascinating topics while avoiding clichés and divisive debates. We will watch 4-5 films: some of the films will be screened in class, while others will be viewed outside of class. You may need to pay a small streaming rental fee ($4-$5 per film) to watch a few of the films on your own.

Getting Started on Your Memoir or Non-Fiction Book

Class Description:
Do you have a story you want to write, but don’t know where to begin? This class will help you lay the foundation for your memoir or non-fiction book through guided writing exercises and supportive feedback. We will begin with free-writing prompts that to help identify the most important elements of your story; then progress to more structured activities. By the end of the class, you will have a clearly-defined project with an outline that you can then begin to flesh out in writing!

Elementary Modern Hebrew

Class Description:
In this course you will learn the fundamentals of Modern Hebrew in a friendly and supportive environment. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or have some prior knowledge, this course will help you learn basic conversational vocabulary, and to begin to read and write in Hebrew. In class, we will actively practice those skills and there will also be short written homework assignments.