Course Description: This course begins with an introduction to ancient Near Eastern literature and then continues to discuss the Hebrew Bible to explore the ancient Hebrew culture and the relationship between man and God. Then we enter the world of Greek Mythology by reading Homer’s epics: Iliad and Odyssey. Following the Trojan legend, we read Virgil’s Aeneid to explore how the Romans created their national epic based on the story of Troy. Each of these works is read closely, analyzed carefully, and discussed with its own cultural and historical context. Close reading for literary analysis is emphasized in class. We will proceed in the following forms: lectures, group discussions, and video-watching before class. Before class, students are expected to finish reading materials and watch videos. After class, students need to post a response on the forum on the course website. At the beginning of each class, we will have a 5-minute quiz. Finally, students must give a short oral group presentation (about 10 minutes) in class. For the group presentations, students need to send their PPT slides to the instructor and the TAs at least one week before the presentation date. Participation in the first week’s class is necessary for students to ensure their enrollment in this class. Reading materials for the first week’s class will be sent to students one week before school starts. If one is interested in taking this course and wishes to get the reading materials for the first week, please email the instructor. Due to the classroom capacity, there is no guarantee that students who are not automatically registered in this course may enroll successfully. This course does not accept auditors.

This course is designed as a survey course that encompasses significant prose and poetry of western writers from ancient Near Eastern literature to Virgil’s Aeneid. By focusing on these canonical works, this course aims to lead students to explore the beginning of human civilization, ancient cultures, and important classical legends. At the end of the course, students will be able to: 1. Understand important ideas in ancient, classical, and medieval literature and cultures. 2. Analyze important themes and motives in these literary works. 3. Get familiar with the Hebrew, Greek, and Roman traditions.

The course requirements are: 1. Weekly forum posts 2. Weekly quizzes 3. A midterm exam 4. A final exam 5. A 10-minute group presentation

Edith Hamilton. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. 2011. (NT$272 at the Bookman Bookstore) Useful Website: About the ancient Greek hero: Open Course from Harvard: https://www.edx.org/course/the-ancient-greek-hero-2 ; About Mythology: Open Course from the University of Pennsylvania: https://www.classcentral.com/course/mythology-353 ; About Hebrew Bible: Open Yale course: https://oyc.yale.edu/religious-studies/rlst-145