CLASS 2808 - [The Animal in Greek Literature and Thought: Friend, Foe, or Food?]

(HB) (LA-AS)

Spring. Next Offered: 2019-2020. 3 credits. Student option grading.

A. Kirk.

How did the Ancient Greeks understand the world of non-human animals around them as they hunted, sacrificed, consumed, and worshipped? In this course we will examine ancient attitudes toward animals through Greek literature, history, and philosophy. Topics of our study will include animal consciousness, human-animal relationships, animals as literary characters, and animal ethics, drawn from such authors as: Homer, Aesop, Herodotus, Aristophanes, Aristotle, and Plutarch. We will also examine modern animal studies in conjunction with our ancient texts, reading from contemporary theorists on this topic. As well as reading a diverse body of primary ancient material, students in this course develop their critical reading, research, analytical writing, and discussion skills.