Syllabus

Humanities 98: Myth, Reason & Faith

William A. Johnson
Classics Department
Coleman 70, X3522 (office), 523-9121 (home)
Office hours: TuWTh 11-12, by chance, & by appointment
E-mail: wjohnson@bucknell.edu
Class web pages: http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/wjohnson/hum98
(or follow the links from my pages on the Classics Department site)

Homer, Genesis, the Parthenon, Plato, Vergil, the New Testament, Saint Augustine, Dante.The very names are evocative, stretching back in the case of Homer and the Old Testament to the beginnings of the Western cultural tradition. Here so many things seem to have started: the birth of some of the great world religions; the beginnings of drama; the so-called "rise of rationalism," that burst of self-conscious analytic thought that resulted in the western traditions of science, philosophy, and history; momentous developments in architecture and in the sculptural representation of the body. In this course we will engage with some of the finest intellectual, artistic, and monumental relicts to survive from the ancient and medieval worlds. Our goal will not be a survey of western history or culture: we will be frankly eclectic, rather like connoisseurs sampling fine wines, in our pursuit of what is meaningful in this tradition, in our pursuit of a serious intellectual encounter with crucial texts and images.

In short, we seek in this course no less than to examine critically some of the most important religious, philosophical, and aesthetic questions raised in the ancient and medieval periods of Western history. We will focus on a variety of sources, and questions arising from those sources, but the following will help give you an idea of the sort of inquiry we seek to pursue. What can human beings know, and what are we incapable of knowing? What is the nature of divinity, and how does that differ, aside from immortality, from the nature of humanness? And how do conceptions of the human and divine soul play into such questions? Or: What is the nature of the literary, the dramatic, and how does the ancient use of literary texts differ from our own? And what is the relationship between literature, culture, society? What about literature is important for our conception of humanness, for the paths that people and societies take? Or: Why do ancient architectural and sculptural representations remain so affecting, that is, why do we continue to react so strongly to these often broken and ruinous artefacts? And indeed what is essential about representation, why is it that all peoples create artistic representations, all peoples react deeply to them, and all peoples incorporate them so integrally into religion, society, life?

Class format

I will typically begin with a brief presentation of new material or discussion of background. This will be followed by an in-depth discussion of the material. Because of the focus on discussion it is essential that you do the readings before class, that you think actively about the readings, and that you come to class ready to share your thoughts with the group.When we are working on texts, be sure to bring the text to the class, since we will often use specific passages as starting points for discussion.

Writing

This class is designated a W-1 course. That does not mean that you will necessarily write more than in some other courses; merely that writing, and the development of writing skills, is fundamental to the course plan. Writing will take a variety of forms. Some will be short exercises, in class and out, such as brief explications of a difficult passage; or your reactions to a reading; or an outline of your thoughts on a difficult thought problem. Some will be more formal, graded papers (see below).

In all cases,  you must keep your written work, short or long, formal or informal, in a folder (a "portfolio") that  you will submit to me at the end of the semester.

One great benefit of a W-1 course is the opportunity for rewrites. For each of the formal, graded papers, you have the option of submitting a rewrite within one week of the date when I return the paper to you. You will also have the option of a second rewrite at the end of the course. All final versions, original and rewrites, should be included in the portfolio that you submit at the end of the term.

Course requirements

Graded material will have the following significance:

Notes: (1) Improvement during the course of the semester will be given consideration. (2) You must receive a passing grade for each of the four formal written assignments in this course in order to receive a passing grade for the course. (3) Students cannot be excused from a deadline unless they are ill and have a medical excuse. Always contact me (and all your professors/) before missing a deadline, wherever possible.

Textbooks (available in the Bucknell University Book Store)

Bibles were not ordered for the course, since so many students seem to have access to them; but bibles are readily available in bookstores (including the university book store), in the library, from friends or hallmates, and on the web (follow the link from the class web page).

E-list, Web pages

You will be automatically enrolled as a subscriber to our class discussion list, CLAS98-01@bucknell.edu. This list will be used for announcements, study questions, occasional short assignments, and any topics you want to bring up to the group. We will also make use of a class web page, particularly for our work with images of ancient and medieval art and architecture. The address of the web page (currently under construction!) is:
                http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/wjohnson/hum98
(or follow the links from my pages on the Classics Department site).

Office hours, e-mail address

I am here for you: that's my job, and a part of it I much enjoy. Come to talk about readings, assignments; your thoughts, your poetry, your music; or those pesky neighbors down the hall. Do not think that you need a clear set of questions in order to come speak with me: in many cases, an informal discussion can be a good way to delve into and clear up confusion.

I will be routinely available 11-12 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in my office in 70 Coleman; but I'm often in, so drop by and chance finding me; or contact me to make an appointment (X3522). Sometimes e-mail can be convenient for small problems, questions, comments-- or to make an appointment: write me at wjohnson@bucknell.edu (though I often can't answer e-mail on weekends).

Class Schedule (REVISED 10/19/98)


Introduction. The Old Testament. Literature, religion, or history?

Th Aug. 27 Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus

Tu Sept. 1 Genesis, Exodus (ctd)
 

The Greek World: Homer, Architecture & Art, Aeschylus, Plato

Th Sept. 3 Homer, Iliad I-III  (skim II.584ff)

Tu Sept. 8 Iliad IV-VI (skim V), IX

Th Sept. 10 Iliad XIV, XVI, XIX

Tu Sept. 15 Iliad XXI, XXII, XXIV

Th Sept. 17 Greek Architecture. The Parthenon

         PRACTICE EXAM

Tu Sept. 22 Greek Art: Sculpture. Sappho & Representations of the Erotic

Th Sept. 24 Aeschylus, Agamemnon

Tu Sept. 29 Aeschylus, Eumenides

Th Oct. 1 Plato, The Republic I-II

            MONDAY COMMON HOUR, 7 pm, Coleman 151: "From Mythos to Logos," William Johnson

Tu Oct. 6 Plato, The Republic III-IV

Th Oct. 8 Plato, The Republic V-VI

Tu Oct. 13 Fall Recess

Th Oct. 15 Plato, The Republic VII, X
 

The Roman World: Vergil; Art & Architecture

             MONDAY COMMON HOUR, Oct. 19, 7 pm, Art 201: "Greek and Roman Architecture," Janice Mann

Tu Oct. 20 Finish Republic; Roman art & power
         SECOND ESSAY DUE (ON PLATO'S REPUBLIC)

Th Oct. 22 Aeneid I, II

Tu Oct. 27 Aeneid IV, VI

Th Oct. 29 Aeneid VII, X

Tu Nov. 3 Aeneid XII
 

The Medieval World: Chartres, Augustine, Romance, Aquinas, Dante
 

Th Nov. 5 New Testament: Gospel of Mark, Paul's letter to the Romans; Chartres Cathedral

            MONDAY COMMON HOUR, Nov. 9, 7 pm, Coleman 151: "Medieval Conceptions of the Relationship between Philosophy and Theology," Gary Steiner

Tu Nov. 10 Augustine: The Essential Augustine: "The wonders of memory," & "Three levels of vision"

Th Nov. 12 Augustine: "What is time?" & "Plato's view of god"

Tu Nov. 17 Romance: The Lais of Marie de France: Guigemar and Equitan
        PAPER TOPIC DUE

Th Nov. 19 Romance: Marie de France: Yonec and Eliduc
        FRIDAY Nov. 20 AT NOON: THIRD ESSAY DUE (ON VERGIL, CHARTRES, OR AUGUSTINE: your choice of topic)

            MONDAY COMMON HOUR, Nov. 23, 7 pm, Coleman 151: "Theology and Literature," Kathleen Davis

Tu Nov. 24 Aquinas, "Proofs for the Existence of God" & "Ethics"

Th Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Recess

Tu Dec. 1 Dante, The Inferno, selections (Cantos 1-10)

Th Dec. 3 Dante, The Inferno , selections (Cantos 24-34)

Tu Dec. 5 Dante (ctd)

    FINAL ESSAY DUE DECEMBER 17 at 11 am (no exceptions with medical documentation)