REL 267 - Topics: Gods, Emperors & Philosophers FEE (1)

Gods, Emperors, and Philosophers invites students to trek across Greece and Western Turkey to explore and contemplate both the material and textual remains that inform our knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean world from the Trojan War to the Ottoman empire. This course will visit archaeological sites and modern cities which hold considerable significance for our understanding of ancient Mediterranean religions, imperial politics, ancient and medieval societies, and philosophy, including Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Pergamon, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, and Delphi. This course will give special attention to how both material remains, inscriptions, and ancient texts illuminate our understanding of how ancient and early modern Mediterranean peoples imagined, constructed, and communicated both divine and imperial power. Students will explore how different ethnic and religious communities have responded to discord or imperial rule; discover how (and why) rulers take on divine qualities; contemplate how different communities define justice; reflect on how people have responded to the fear of death. Readings will include selections from Plato’s dialogues, Paul’s letters, Josephus’ history of Jewish experiences under Rome, and the Qur’an. Students will explore ancient cities, palaces, markets, theaters, sanctuaries, basilicas, synagogues, mosques, and museums. Throughout both Greece and Turkey, students will be led by their professors and tour guides across archaeological sites and cities and even be given the opportunity to give a mini-tour themselves. This course will entail significant walking and hiking.

This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Global Connections. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application.

A non-refundable deposit of $460 will be due on Monday, April 12th and must be paid using the online system. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the College both at the time of registration and one month prior to the beginning of the course. Details of this policy are available in the Catalogue. Total course cost is $4,600.
(Humanities)