Living Literature: The Classics and You

This series consists of the 24 products

Grade Level: Senior High (10-12)-Adult
Subjects: Classical literature, Contemporary
Produced By: Governors State University
Year: 1994
Country: United States
Language: English

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Living Literature introduces students to the seminal literary texts that shaped Western culture and transcend time and place. Students are challenged to think critically and creatively about cultural traditions and to assess how they fit as individuals within these traditions. The course is taught by Jeffrey Lynch, Ph.D. and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Eastern Illinois University.

This series consists of the following products

Genesis, Chapters 1, 2, and 3

By Governors State University - 1994

Lesson 1 examines the creation stories of Chapters 1 and 2, with special emphasis on their differences of language and style, the concept of "deity…

The Book of Job

By Governors State University - 1994

When innocent people suffer difficult circumstances, does that deny the concept of a just God? Discussion focuses on the knotty philosophical…

Homer, Iliad (Part 1)

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion in these two lessons focuses on the nature of epics, the tragedy of Achilles, the nature of the Homeric hero, the relation between humans…

Homer, Iliad (Part 2)

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion in these two lessons focuses on the nature of epics, the tragedy of Achilles, the nature of the Homeric hero, the relation between humans…

Sophocles, Oedipus the King

By Governors State University - 1994

The range of discussion topics in this lesson includes the nature of tragedy, the concept of "moira" (fate) vs. "tuche" (chance), the religious…

Sophocles, Antigone

By Governors State University - 1994

Antigone sparks a debate on the subject of duty: Is a citizen's first duty is to the law of the state or to the law of religion? Who is the tragic…

Virgil, Aeneid (Part 1)

By Governors State University - 1994

Over the course of the three lessons, students focus on four questions: What makes Aeneas a distinctly Roman hero? What was Virgil's purpose behind…

Virgil, Aeneid (Part 2)

By Governors State University - 1994

Over the course of the three lessons, students focus on four questions: What makes Aeneas a distinctly Roman hero? What was Virgil's purpose behind…

Virgil, Aeneid (Part 3)

By Governors State University - 1994

Over the course of the three lessons, students focus on four questions: What makes Aeneas a distinctly Roman hero? What was Virgil's purpose behind…

Dante, Inferno (Part 1)

By Governors State University - 1994

These two lessons center on the nature of allegory, the law of symbolic retribution, and how the nature of the soul according to St. Thomas Aquinas…

Dante, Inferno (Part 2)

By Governors State University - 1994

These two lessons center on the nature of allegory, the law of symbolic retribution, and how the nature of the soul according to St. Thomas Aquinas…

Shakespeare, Hamlet (Part 1)

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion centers on Hamlet's unique prestige in Western culture as the Mt. Everest of plays, so much so that it is often referred to simply as "The…

Shakespeare, Hamlet (Part 2)

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion centers on Hamlet's unique prestige in Western culture as the Mt. Everest of plays, so much so that it is often referred to simply as "The…

Moliêre, Tartuffe

By Governors State University - 1994

Tartuffe perfectly represents the French neo-classical period, and this lesson places particular emphasis on the play's plot, language style…

Milton, Paradise Lost (Part 1)

By Governors State University - 1994

The class investigates Milton's purpose in singling out the myth of Adam and Eve for such extended attention. What is heroism and who is heroic by…

Milton, Paradise Lost (Part 2)

By Governors State University - 1994

The class investigates Milton's purpose in singling out the myth of Adam and Eve for such extended attention. What is heroism and who is heroic by…

Voltaire, Candide

By Governors State University - 1994

Does Candide simply recreate "Job in modern dress," as Frederick the Great asserted? What is the theme of Candide? What is Voltaire's attitude…

Goethe, Faust

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion focuses on Faust as a classic example of European Romanticism that stresses such concepts as individualism, limitless aspiration, and…

Flaubert, Madame Bovary (Part 1)

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion centers on Flaubert's realism and his use of point-of-view in Madame Bovary. Students debate the notion that this book is evidence of…

Flaubert, Madame Bovary (Part 2)

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion centers on Flaubert's realism and his use of point-of-view in Madame Bovary. Students debate the notion that this book is evidence of…

Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion topics include Dostoyevsky's unique contribution to the novel form, his interest in the obscure or confused motivations of human action…

Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilych

By Governors State University - 1994

The lesson examines how this work validates the concept of "memento mori" - the forcing of a consciousness of death that compels us to examine the…

Kafka, The Metamorphosis

By Governors State University - 1994

Discussion focuses on the story as a modern parable, suggesting that the reality to which Gregor awakens is the truth of his life. Of what does this…

Course Overview (Summary)

By Governors State University - 1994

The final episode review the works in the course identifies enduring themes and concerns. Highlighted members of the class choose and justify their…