Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Using John Milton's Paradise Lost as a point of departure and return, we will
study the western literary tradition as a long dialogue across the centuries, a
pattern of influences, an ongoing debate. One central theme will be the core
idea of the tree as a concept to think with (the English words "tree" and
"truth" come from the same etymological "root" in the ancient Indo-European
language). Trees of life, of knowledge, of genealogical descent, of
taxonomical classification, of growth, of heaven, and so on are found
everywhere in the vast and varied collection of cultures that are crudely
lumped under the term "Western" (though of course they are also found in
other cultures throughout the world). Another core theme will be that of the
fall--from nature, grace, innocence, ignorance, asexuality, immortality, and
into culture, alienation, consciousness, knowledge, sex, and death. A third
theme will be the descent to the underworld and the necessity for such a
Course
descent for the hero or heroine to bring back the gifts his or her community
Description
needs. The nature of freedom--metaphysical, natural, economic, and political-
-is bound up with these core metaphors.
The class will explore the roots of such ideas in the ancient Middle East,
especially the Biblical tradition, and in Greco-Roman thought. It will look at
Milton's medieval and renaissance precursors and contemporaries, and look
forward from Milton to those he influenced--both those who followed him
and those who rebelled against him. In the process we will encounter many of
the central aesthetic, political, scientific, and theological issues that still
trouble and energize us.
This is an intensive reading course, with no term paper but weekly in-class
short essay quizzes, which will test reading comprehension, offer an
opportunity for imaginative readings, and provide a basis for class discussion.
1. To demonstrate in essay examinations a knowledge of the basic themes
Learning and plots of a culturally diverse group of major literary works
Outcomes 2. To demonstrate in discussion an ability to give an exegesis of such texts
3. To express that knowledge and exegesis in clear English prose
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the
responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal,
state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university
regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such
conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal
penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those
reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the
basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove
classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case
of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an
assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research
paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing
impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may
have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or
university may need to provide special services such as registration,
note-taking, or mobility assistance.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.