SECOND SEMESTER

 

I. Life’s quest

A COMPARISON of the Medieval questing mythic hero AND THE MODERN HERO

Students will examine the impact of culture upon the Medieval questing mythic hero and compare this idealized hero to the hero of modern times.

 

II. The tragic hero

An examination of the tragic hero and its influences on thought

Students will analyze how and why the archetypal tragic hero, as defined in Aristotle’s Poetics, has evolved over time. In addition, students will examine the significance of tragedy to culture.

 

III. War and culture

“WE CANNOT DESPAIR OF HUMANITY, SINCE WE OURSELVES ARE HUMAN BEINGS” (EINSTEIN).

Students will examine the impact of war upon culture through the analysis of select works of fiction and non-fiction.

 

IV. Modern Drama

The tragic hero in modern literature

Students will examine the use of the archetypal tragic hero in modern fiction.

 

V.Perception and Reality 

“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” 
― Albert Einstein

Students will examine how individual perception impacts how one views the world.