Syllabus and Reading Schedule
What is a man? What is a woman? These questions, so vexed today, are hardly new. We will consider the surprising perspectives to be gained from the exploration of ancient Greek mythology and literature. In this course, however, we will not engage present-day political or social issues directly. Our conversations of literature and myth will be leisurely, not intense. Thus, with minds as open as possible, we will seek to deepen our appreciation of gender and its mysteries by way of ancient myths and literature.
We plan two semesters of this course, Gender: Myth and Mystery I in the fall and Gender: Myth and Mystery II in the spring.
Here are some logistical notes:
Times: 6:30-8:30 pm, First Tuesday of the month, September 7 – December 7, 2021
Dates: September 7; October 5; November 2; December 7.
Place: Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture (Covid-willing or online as necessary)
Planned Reading Schedule (all sessions meet 6:30-8:30 pm)
| Date | Text (more info below) | Reading |
| September 7 | Hesiod. Theogony. | Lines 1-210, 453-613, 886-900 |
| October 5 | Homer. Iliad. | Books 1, 14, 15 |
| November 2 | Homer. Odyssey. | Book 1 (esp. lines 1-10; 96-117; 325-364)
Book 6 (especially lines 180-185); Book 8 (especially 499-545); Book 21 (especially lines 1-79; 404-411) Book 23 (all) |
| December 7 | Homeric Hymn to Demeter | all |
Books:
- The Works and Days; Theogony; The Shield of Herakles; Hesiod; Lattimore, trans.; U. of Michigan Press; ISBN: 0472081616
- The Iliad of Homer; Lattimore, trans.; U of Chicago Press; ISBN: 0226470490
- The Odyssey of Homer; Lattimore, trans.; Harper; ISBN-10 : 9780061244186
- Homeric Hymn to Demeter; Nagy, trans. Available for free online.
These titles are available at our sterling local booksellers, Interabang and Deep Vellum. They can mail copies directly to patrons. Deep Vellum is offering a 15% discount on these titles; please contact Riley Rennhack for more information.
