The Politics of Origin Myths: The Book of Genesis and its Allies and Competitors -- Latin

Course Description

Course Description: What is the fundamental nature of reality, of the Cosmos (Hellenically put) or of Heaven and Earth (Hebraically put)? What is the fundamental nature of the human being? What is the human's relation to the whole? What is eros? What is hubris? Can humanity overthrow the Divine? What are the pros and cons of a more tragic, constrained, conservative view of human nature? What are the pros and cons of a more hopeful, boundless, progressive view of human nature? In this class close reading and discussion of Genesis 1-11 will be the primary focus but with several sessions devoted to comparing and discussing other accounts from Hesiod, Plato, Ovid, and Lucretius. Participants will read both the Vulgate version of Genesis and the 1556 Castellio translation into Ciceronian Latin, with some sessions devoted to extra-biblical texts in English translation. The instructor aims, through a combination of translation, discussion, and lecture, to show participants the awesome richness of the texts and the ways they can inform our own soul searching today Level: This course is intended for students with intermediate to advanced knowledge of Latin Textbook: Instructor will provide materials in both English and Latin, except for one book for purchase: Plato's Timaeus translated by Peter Kalkavage

Details

• Semester: Fall 2024
• Day: Thursday
• Time: 8:00 PM ET
• Duration: 60 minutes per session

Tuition

$250 per course

Availability

2 spots remaining out of 5

Cancellation Policy

Telepaideia tuition is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel your enrollment or withdraw from your class, you may be eligible for a 50% credit to be used toward a future Telepaideia course. In order to be eligible for this credit, you must notify info@paideiainstitute.org of your withdrawal before the second class meeting has taken place.