CLCS 101 - Civilization in Question

1 unit(s)

(Same as GRST 101) In the past, college curricula in this country were often organized around the idea of the “Great Books” of “Western Civilization.” Today though, the very idea of a Western literary canon has been challenged as a vehicle for reinforcing questionable norms and hierarchies and silencing other important perspectives. In this class we read well-known ancient, medieval and Renaissance texts with a view to how they themselves question the civilizations from which they emerge. We challenge the idea that there is a monolithic “Western” tradition while opening up new possibilities for engaging with pre-modern texts and ideas. Readings may include Homer, Aeschylus, Plato, the Hebrew Bible, Augustine, Maimonides and Thomas More. Rachel Friedman, Christopher Raymond.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS