Foundation Stones of the West: The Literature and Culture of Babylon, Athens, Jerusalem, and Rome.
Literature--Art--Music--History--Philosophy
Video lectures by: Professors Tina Passman, Classics; Michael Grillo, Art; Jay Bregman, History;
Michael Howard, Philosophy
· An introduction to the foundations of the western
literary and cultural tradition from Stone Age Europe and its matriarchal
culture witnessed in the profusion of goddess figures; through the heritage
of ancient Babylon and Gilgamesh; to the drama of ancient Greek art, literature,
and culture; to the religious forces of the Hebrew and the Christian;
and then to the power and vitality of the Roman Empire; ending with the
push into the modern with Dante’s Divine Comedy.
· Ancient Babylon, Athens, Jerusalem, and Rome will become the icons for this trip, one using WebCt and the other various technological resources so that we may both read the literature and view the art and drama of this period. Enhancing the classroom work will be video lectures by UMaine specialists Tina Passman, Classics; Michael Grillo, Art; Jay Bregman, History, and Michael Howard, Philosophy. Additionally, we’ll view Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Aristophanes’ Lysistrada on film.
· We’ll explore these foundations within the context of their history and geography in an effort to come to some understanding as to the significance of these cultures and literature to the modern western world.
· Students will take three online exams.
Satisfies the Western Cultural Tradition
and Artistic and Creative Expression Requirements.