The Afterlife in the Classical and Italian Traditi

Instructors:
Prof. Federico Schneider, Italian
Department of Modern Foreign Languages
221 Combs Hall; x1992
Office Hours: MWF 8:50-9:50; TR 3:15-4:15

Prof. Angela Gosetti-Murrayjohn, Classics
Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
233 Trinkle Hall; x1338
Office Hours: TR 10-12 and W 9-10 or by appointment

Meeting Time/Place: MWF 2:00-2:50 p.m.; B52 Trinkle Hall

Course Objectives:  From Tartarus to Hell, from the Fields of Elysium to Paradise, the landscape of the Other World and the souls that inhabit it have inspired the imagination of poets and artists of every age.  This co-taught, comparative, and interdisciplinary course examines points of continuity, development, and change between classical Greek and Roman and medieval Italian notions about Death and the Afterlife.  This course will examine, in particular, the theme of katabasis (a hero’s descent to the land of the dead) in the works of Homer, Vergil, and Dante; it will examine the themes of death and afterlife in the art of the Classical and Italian traditions; and it will address culturally specific notions about the body of the deceased, the nature of the soul, and the ministers of the Dead.

Speaking Intensive: The chief means by which we shall endeavor to achieve the objectives of this course include dialogue and speech-performance. Because this course places emphasis on developing interdisciplinary dialogue and communication skills, this course satisfies one Speaking Intensive Across-the-Curriculum (ATC) requirement.

Learning Objectives:  The student who has completed this course successfully should be able to:

1. Examine and discuss the course topic and its relationship to Western culture in a meaningful and comparative way: that is, by reaching a better understanding of how later traditions both capitalize on and modify earlier traditions.
2. Examine and discuss literature and art in an interdisciplinary way.
3. Engage in fruitful dialogue (one-on-one and in small groups) about specific sub-topics pertaining to the course.
4. Respond meaningfully to the contributions of peers.
5. Communicate effectively both informally and formally, in groups and individually, ideas relevant to the course topic
6. Plan and participate in an academic conference on a topic relevant to the Afterlife in the Classical and Italian Traditions.

Course Requirements and Final Grade Breakdown: (see description of course assignments)
I. Dialogues and Panels (in Groups of 6 and in Pairs)
A. Dialogue (2 participants)
10%

B.Panel Reactions (on Blackboard Forum: 4 Participants)
10%

II. Plan a Conference: Group Work (10%)
A. Title for Conference and Call for Abstracts
B. Read Abstracts and Assign Panels
C. Facilitation
D. Best Paper Award Committee

III. Abstract Submission (10%)

IV. Panel Paper (15%)

V. Panel Participant (5%)

VI. Midterm and Final (20% each; 40% total)

Required Texts:
Homer, The Iliad. Translation by R. Lattimore. Univ. of Chicago Press. ISBN:     0226469409     (required)
Homer, The Odyssey. Translation by R. Lattimore. Harper. ISBN: 0060931957     (required)
Virgil, Aeneid. Translation by R. Fitzgerald. Vintage, 1981, reissue 1990. ISBN:     0679729526
Aristophanes, The Frogs and Other Plays. Translated by D. Barrett. Penguin, 1964.     ISBN: 0140441522
Hadas, M. (ed., tr.), The Complete Plays of Sophocles. Bantam Books, 1967, 1982. ISBN:     0553213547 (required)
Alighieri, Dante. The divine comedy of Dante Alighieri a verse translation with introds. & commentary / by Allen Mandelbaum ; drawings by Barry Moser.Berkeley : University of California Press, c1980-1982, 3 v.  (all required):
ISBN: 0-553-21339 (Inferno)
ISBN: 0-55321344 (Purgatorio)
ISBN: 0-553-21204 (Paradiso)

Coursepack
Hesiod, Theogony (on-line text):
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/theogony.htm

The provisions of the Honor system are in effect for this course.  You are authorized and highly encouraged to read and study together—and, indeed, to form regular study groups.  You may NOT discuss exams with those who have not taken them  You may, however, collaborate on group assignments unless instructors indicate otherwise, provided that each person contributes her or his equal share of the work.  You will be expected to write out and sign the Honor Code at the bottom of each exam.

Classroom Environment:
It is expected that we treat each other with dignity and respect at all times.  We have read the university’s policy on Sexual Harassment and fully support it.  Language or behavior that interferes with the mission of this course and of UMW will not be tolerated and may result in an instructor-initiated drop or other disciplinary measures.

Disability Services: The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities.  If you receive services through that office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with either instructor as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs.  Bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment.  We will hold any information you share with me in the strictest confidence unless you give us permission to do otherwise.  If you need accommodations (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), we would be happy to refer you to the Office of Disability Services (540-654-1266).  They will require appropriate documentation of a disability.

Course Schedule: Assignments are due on the corresponding date

Week One (Aug. 28-Sep.1)
Introduction& Death and the Body: Notions about the Corpse

Mon. Introduction: D.C., Inferno 26
Wed-Fri
•    Iliad book 17: The Fight for Patroclus’ Corpse
•    Purgatory. 5: Fight over Buonconte da Montefeltro’s Corpse

Week Two (Sep. 4-8)
The Funeral & Cult of the Dead
Mon-Wed.
•    Iliad book 23, book 24, lines 1-22
•    Purgatory 3: Manfred’s Denied Funeral
Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group I

Week Three (Sep. 11-15)
The Soul Departing /The Resurrection of the Body
Mon-Wed.
•    Iliad book 23, lines 65-107
•    Plato, Phaedo selections (coursepack)
•    St. Paul, Thessalonians 4, 13-18 ; Acts of Apostles 17, 22-32 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Atti%2017%20;&version=31:
•    Inferno 13, lines103-114: The suicides
•    Paradiso. 1: Dante’s Transubstantiation
Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group I
CONFERENCE PLANNING: GROUP A WORK COMPLETED

Week Four (Sep. 18-22)
Topography of the Other World: Continuity/ Difference
Mon.-Wed
•    Plato, Phaedo (selection from coursepack)
•    Odyssey Book 10, lines 475 ad finem; book 11 (all); book 24, lines 1-204
•    Inf. 14, lines 76-142
•    Purg. 28
•    Par. 90, lines 97-148
Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group I

Week Five (Sep. 25-29)
Topography of the Other World: Progressions
Mon. -Wed.
•    Aeneid Book 6
•    Inf. 3
•    Par. 31
Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group II

Week Six (Oct. 2-6)
Topography of the Other World: Topographies and Cosmologies (Comedy and Parody)
Mon.-Wed.
•    Aristophanes, Frogs
•    Inf. 34
Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group II
ABSTRACTS DUE

Week Seven (Oct. 9-13)
Gods, Saints, and Demons
Mon. –Wed.
•    Ov. Met. 4.432-532 (coursepack)
•    Verg. Aen. 7.388-414 (Furies); 8.248-404 (Geryon)
•    Hesiod, Theogony (text available on-line through www.perseus.tufts.edu; Gigantomachy)
•    Eur. Eumenides (coursepack: brief passage)
•    Inf. 3.38-128 (Charon)
•    Inf. 6. 13-32 (Cerberus)
•    Inf. 7. 133 (Geryon)
•    Inf. 31. 98 (Briareus)
•    Inf. 5. 1-24 (Minos)
•    Inf. 9 (city of Dis; Furies)
•    Inf. 12.51-139 (Chiron)
•    Inf. 17.79-136 (Geryon)

Fri. MIDTERM EXAM

Week Eight (Oct. 16-20)
Gods, Saints, and Demons:
Mon. FALL BREAK
Wed.
•    Par. 6
•    Par. 32
•    Par. 33
•    Ovid Met. 1. 1-162 (coursepack)
•    Hesiod Works and Days: text available on-line at www. perseus.tufts.edu; Promethus and 5 ages—up to line 205
•    Hes. Theogony—whole text  perseus.tufts.edu)

Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group II

Week Nine (Oct. 23-27)
Gods, Saints, and Demons
Mon.-Wed.
•    Vergil, 4. 315 ad finem (coursepack)
•    Ovid Met. 10 and 11 (coursepack)
•    Purg. 9
•    Purg. 12

Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group III
CONFERENCE PLANNING: GROUP B COMPLETED

Week Ten (Oct. 30-Nov. 3)
Prophecy of the Other World
Mon-Wed.
•    Inf. 6
•    Inf. 1
•    Purg. 32
•    Purg. 33
•    Par. 15, 16, 17
•    Bring Odyssey (book 11), Aeneid (book 6)
Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group III

Week Eleven (Nov. 6-10)
Prophets of the Other World
Mon. –Wed.
•    Par. 27, lines 1-66 St. Peter
•    Sophocles, Oedipus the King

Wed. Dialogue and Discussion: Group III

Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group IV

Week Twelve (Nov. 13-17)
Dreams and Meta-Dreams
Mon.
•    Iliad 23, lines 65 ff. (dream of Achilles), Odyssey, 19, lines 508-581; Aeneid 2 lines, 286-317; 5, lines 719-745; book 6
•    Inf. 2, Three dreams of Dante
•     Purg 9, lines 13-72; 19, lines 1-69; 27, lines 91-142

Wed. Dialogue and Discussion: Group IV

Fri. Dialogue and Discussion: Group IV
CONFERENCE PLANNING: GROUP C COMPLETED
PANEL PAPERS DUE BY 3 P.M.

Week Thirteen (Nov. 20-24)
The Afterlife of Classical Antiquity: Damnation or Redemption?
Mon.
•    Inf. 4
•    Vergil, Eclogue 4 (coursepack)
•    Purg. 22

Wed.-Fri. THANKSGIVING BREAK

Week Fourteen (Nov. 27-Dec. 1)
Mon.-Fri. (during regularly scheduled class times): The Katabasis in Classical and Italian Literature: A Student Conference
CONFERENCE PLANNING: GROUP D COMPLETED

Week Fifteen (Dec. 4-8)
Mon.-Wed.
•    Conference Continued

Fri. Conclusions

Final Examination: Friday December 15th, 3:30-6:00 p.m.