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Study Abroad

Greek Myth & Religion

CS LL 350
Credit hours 3
Contact hours 45

This class satisfies requirements in the following areas: Classical Studies/Religion/Philosophy/Literature

What part did religious practices play in the lives of Greeks? Why did they have so many gods? Was God good? Was God the cause of all things, good and evil? Is the soul immortal? What should we expect when we die?

Beginning with a discussion of the theories and methodologies involved in the study of ancient religion and mythology this course will examine the breath of religious practice and thought in ancient Greece, including: the ritual of sacrifice; Athenian festivals and mystery cults; the rites of Dionysos; healing shrines; Delphi and other oracles; chthonic religion; and the development of the notion of impiety. The course will also pay particular attention to the developing interest in and articulation of an afterlife: from the traditional "poetic" images of the geography and inhabitants of Hades, themselves parodied by Greek writers, to the earliest notions of reincarnation a more philosophical analysis of the questions concerning the immortality of the soul and life after death. We conclude with the development of the notion of God as the architect of all good in Greek philosophy and some discussion of the relations between Platonism (through such writers as Plotinus) and early Christianity.

Students will be expected to complete two significant research papers, a midterm and a final examination.

Prerequisites: one class in religion/ancient studies.
Note: This prerequisite may be satisfied by electing to also take CS AH 250 as a part of your program at MCAS

Sample Fieldtrips:
-Syracuse: Greek & Roman Syracuse; Neapolis Archaeological Park; Paolo Orsi Museum
-Agrigento

Required Texts:
1. Cashford, J. & Richardson, N. (2003) (translation) Homer, The Homeric Hymns, London: Penguin Books
2. Lombardo, S. (1993) (translation) Hesiod, Works And Days And Theogony, Indianapolis: Hackett
3. Zeyl, D. J. (2000) (translation) Plato, Timaeus, Indianapolis: Hackett.