The course objective is to explore the legacy of the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions in Western literature. Examples from classical philosophy and literary genres (such as the epic, lyric poetry, tragedy and comedy) as well as selections from the Old and New Testaments will be studied as texts forming an important part of the Western cultural heritage.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Corequisite(s)
None
Special Requisite(s)
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Instructor(s)
Lecturer Dr. ipek Kotan Yiğit
Course Assistant(s)
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Schedule
Wednesday, 16:00 - 19:00
CATS Collaborate
Office Hour(s)
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Teaching Methods and Techniques
-Formal lectures, discussions and presentations.
Principle Sources
Selections from Norton Anthology of World Masterpiece
Western Civilization (7th Edition, Thomson Wadsworth Publishing) by Jackson J. Spielvogel
Western Civilizations (7th Edition, Norton) by Judith Coffin, Robert Stacey, Joshua Cole, Carol Symes)
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
The Greeks and Their Gods (1955, Beacon Press) by W. K. C. Guthrie
A Guide to Ancient Greek Drama (2005, Blackwell Publishing)
Literary Theory from Plato to Barthes (1999, Macmillan Press) by Richard Harland
Understanding Plato’s Republic (2010, Wiley-Blackwell) by Gerasimos Santas
The Confessions of Saint Augustine
Other Sources
Course Schedules
Week
Contents
Learning Methods
1. Week
General Introduction: Syllabus
General Overview of the Course
The First Great Civilizations
pp. 1-7 of Western Civilization (7th Edition, Thomson Wadsworth Publishing) by Jackson J. Spielvogel
pp. 3- 21 of Western Civilizations (7th Edition, Norton) by Judith Coffin, Robert Stacey, Joshua Cole, Carol Symes)
Lecture and Group Discussions
2. Week
The Early Civilization of Mesopotamia
pp. 7- 32 of Western Civilization (7th Edition, Thomson Wadsworth Publishing) by Jackson J. Spielvogel
The Epic of Gilgamesh: First 7 Tablets (Penguin Classics)
Lecture and Group Discussions
3. Week
The Emergence of Greek Civilization
pp. 55- 88 of Western Civilization (7th Edition, Thomson Wadsworth Publishing) by Jackson J. Spielvogel
Recommended Reading:
pp. 3-52 of Mythology by Edith Hamilton
Lecture and Group Discussions
4. Week
The Iliad: Selected parts from Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces
Lecture and Group Discussions
5. Week
The Odyssey: Selected parts from Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces
Lecture and Group Discussions
6. Week
Ancient Greek Drama: Tragedy
“Antigone” by Sophocles
Recommended Reading:
pp. 72 -155 of A Guide to Ancient Greek Drama (2005, Blackwell Publishing)
Lecture and Group Discussions
7. Week
Ancient Greek Drama: Comedy
Aristophanes “Frogs”
Recommended Reading:
pp. 169 - 229 of A Guide to Ancient Greek Drama (2005, Blackwell Publishing)
Lecture and Group Discussions
8. Week
Exam Week
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9. Week
Ancient Greek Philosophy
pp. 1- 21 of Literary Theory from Plato to Barthes (1999, Macmillan Press) by Richard Harland
pp. 1-14 of Understanding Plato’s Republic (2010, Wiley-Blackwell) by Gerasimos Santas
Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” from The Republic
Lecture and Group Discussions
10. Week
The Culture of Rome
pp. 147- 177 of Western Civilization (7th Edition, Thomson Wadsworth Publishing) by Jackson J. Spielvogel
Lecture and Group Discussions
11. Week
Virgil’s The Aeneid Selected parts from Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces
Lecture and Group Discussions
12. Week
Ovid’s Metamorphoses: Selected parts from Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces
Lecture and Group Discussions
13. Week
Judeo-Christian Heritage:
The Bible: The Old Testament: Selected parts from Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces
The Confessions of Saint Augustine by Saint Augustine
Lecture and Group Discussions
14. Week
Review
Lecture and Group Discussions
15. Week
16. Week
17. Week
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Midterm(s)
1
30
Project(s)
1
0
Attendance
1
10
Cats Forum Posts
4
20
Final Exam
1
40
Program Outcomes
PO-1
Show knowledge of a substantial range of authors, movements and texts from different periods of literary history.
PO-2
Identify the intellectual, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature
is written and read.
PO-3
Employ the necessary skills in the reading, analysis and in appreciation of literature.
PO-4
Recognize, interpret, and comment on rhetorical and figurative language.
PO-5
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of texts written in the principle literary genres.
PO-6
Recall and define key terms and concepts relating to language, literature and/or culture.
PO-7
Recognize the role of different social and cultural contexts in affecting meaning.
PO-8
Demonstrate responsiveness to the central role of language in the creation of meaning.
PO-9
Recognize different structures and discourse functions of the English language.
PO-10
Display competence both in written and/or oral expression and in the
communication of ideas in a variety of contexts.
PO-11
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation,
and analysis of literary and non-literary texts.
PO-12
Use logical thought, critical reasoning, and rhetorical skills to effectively
construct arguments.
PO-13
Apply guided research skills including the ability to gather, sift, organize and
present information and material.
PO-14
Show competence in planning, preparation and revision of essays,
presentations, and other written and project work.
PO-15
Reflect on ethical and philosophical issues raised in literary, critical, and
cultural texts.
Learning Outcomes
LO-1
Show knowledge of the origins, main ideas and philosophy of the Greco-Roman heritage.
LO-2
Identify the intellectual, political, cultural and socio-historical contexts from which literary, dramatic and biblical texts have emerged.
LO-3
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of philosophies, ideas genres pertaining to the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions.
LO-4
Recall and define critical terms and seminal concepts relating to ancient traditions.
LO-5
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation, analysis of the texts by focusing on the aspects relationship between cultural history and society.
LO-6
Show competence in planning and preparation of presentations and written work for the course.
