Please contact Dr. James Dixon with any questions you may have
Grove City College
Literature of Greece & Rome
Crossroads of the Classical & Christian Worlds
May 16-29, 2011
Course Faculty:
Dr. James G. Dixon, III Chairman of the
Department of English
Professor of English and Theater
Dr. Diane M. Dixon
Professor of English and Communication
Dr. David Sparks
President - Footstep Ministries
2308 York Ct. Carrollton,
TX 75006
Phone/Fax Number:
(972) 418-6103
Enter the palace where Agamemnon was axed down by his wife Clytemnestra. Sit in the theatre where Oedipus first discovered the horrible truth about his life. Sail where Odysseus sailed on his epic journey home from the Trojan War. Discover the sites where the Apostle Paul planted the first Christian churches in Europe and hear his sermon on Mars’ Hill at the base of the Acropolis. See where Julius Caesar met his doom, where Dante composed his journey into hell, and where Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini created the most exquisite art of the Renaissance. Take a pilgrimage from the Catacombs to the Coliseum to the Vatican.
This May Intersession, Drs. James and Diane Dixon will lead a literary odyssey to the central sites of the Classical world of ancient Greece and Rome. We will begin with two days in southern Greece (the Peloponnesus), followed by a 3-day cruise of the Aegean Sea (with stops at Ephesus, Rhodes, and Mykonos), two days in Athens, concluding with three days in Rome (with a day’s excursion to Florence).
Students have two options concerning credit for this course. It may be taken as: 1) Humanities 202: Civilization & Lit; 2) English 290: Studies: Literature of Greece & Rome (to fulfill a period lit course requirement for English majors). You may also choose to audit the course as either Huma 202 or Engl 290.
If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. James Dixon (jgdixon@gcc.edu) or Dr. Diane Dixon (dmdixon@gcc.edu).
COURSE FORMAT: 
Prior to the fourteen day tour, students will be required to read or see a number of literary works related to the theme of the course, prepare and submit short response essays on these works in their journals, and attend several meetings. During our trip, students will make daily additions to their journals regarding lectures and sites visited during the trip. During the trip short teaching sessions will be incorporated into the daily activities, and guest lecturers will speak to the group on several occasions. Subsequent to the tour a 5-6 page paper must be submitted comparing two works of literature on a topic to be assigned.
SPECIFIC GOALS OF THE COURSE:
(1) To encourage students’ spiritual and intellectual development. by making them aware of the historical and cultural environment that inspired the works of Homer, Sophocles, Virgil, St. Paul, Augustine, Dante, Shakespeare, and other seminal writers who contributed to the Classical and Christian traditions in western civilization.
(2) To allow students to appreciate, first hand, the sites that inspired those writers and to the cultures in which those works were composed.
(3) To develop an appreciation for the ideals of the Classical and Christian traditions in western civilization and their continuing influence on Western Civilization to the present.
REQUIRED FILMS:
These are the six required pre-travel sessions related to the content of our course:
1. College theatre production, Nov. 11-13 – see GCC production , PFAC, 7:30 pm
2. The Odyssey (Homer) Jan. 20 at 6:00 or 9:00 pm (with Civ/Lit classes)
3. Julius Caesar (Shakespeare) Mar. 3 (Thursday) 7:00-10:00 pm HAL 208
4. Zorba the Greek (Kazantzakis) Mar. 15 (Tuesday) 7:00-10:00 pm HAL 208
5. College theatre production, Mar. 9-12, 7:30 pm Ketler Aud.
6. A Room with a View (Forster) Mar. 30 (Wednesday) 7:00-10:00 pm Dixons’ home
REQUIRED READINGS
Selections from:
The Odyssey - HomerAntigone & Oedipus Rex - SophoclesThe Acts of the Apostles - St. LukeThe Epistles of St. Paul - St. PaulThe Divine Comedy (The Inferno) - DanteCantos 1-13, 18-28, 32-34; handouts from Purgatorio & ParadisoJulius Caesar - ShakespeareSelected Romantic Poetry - Byron, Keats, Shelley, Brownings, TennysonInnocents Abroad - Mark TwainChapters 1, 24-28 (Italy), 32-35 (Greece), 38-41 (Turkey)Daisy Miller - Henry JamesSelected storiesCOURSE REQUIREMENTS
This course provides three credits for Humanities 202: Civilization & Literature, or English 290: Studies
A. Attendance at several pre-travel sessions as detailed in the film schedule above. We will usually follow the viewing with a discussion.
B. Six Short Response Papers (of approximately two pages, or 600 words) to be submitted on each of the films and plays, due one week following the viewing. We will provide writing prompts for each paper at each discussion session.
C. Students will be evaluated more informally on their contributions to discussions throughout the trip. They will be expected to share comments on the
literary works we study, both in discussion and in their journal entries.
D. A Journal must be kept before and during the trip from which students will be asked to share during group discussion times. The journal should include both formal responses to the literature assigned (for which we will provide writing prompts) and informal responses to the lectures and sites we visit during our trip.
E. An analytical paper of approximately 1500 words (5-6 pages) comparing two works of literature on an assigned general topic related to the course. This paper will be due a few weeks following the conclusion of the course.
F. Approximate cost: $4649 ($300 down payment due May 15, 2010; balance due Dec. 1, 2010).
ITINERARY
Monday, May 16 - Depart Pittsburgh; fly to Athens
Tuesday, May 17 - Arrive in Athens: Orientation. Overnight in Tolos
Welcome by Footstep Ministries staff. Introduction to Greece and its culture. Basic language skills and overview of our time of travel in the land of Greece, both ancient and modern. We drive to the Peloponnese for our overnight in the coastal town of Tolos.
Wednesday, May 18 - Mycenae, Epidaurus
Today we explore the Peloponnesus, the region of southern Greece. We will visit the ruins of Agamemnon, where we will discuss the roots of the Trojan War and Homer's epic The Iliad. We will also visit Epidaurus, the site of the most perfectly preserved of all ancient Greek Theatres. Overnight in Tolos.
Thursday, May 19 - Corinth
Crossing the Isthmian Canal we visit ancient Corinth where we see the Temple of Apollo, agora, bema, Peirene Fountain, and Stoa. While in the agora we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11) and spend time in worship. We also examine Paul’s cultural context of life in the urban centers of the Roman world. We then climb the Acrocorinth, an abandoned Venitian Castle and the city's highest peak. On our return to Tolos we explore the picturesque town of Nafplion and it's wonderful shops and cafes.
Friday, May 20 - Cruise: Mykonos
On Mykonos you will find beautiful beaches, chic boutiques, and elegant nightclubs. Beneath its sophisticated surface, lies a quite essential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbor. Begin discussion of Homer's epic, The Odyssey.
Saturday, May 21 - Cruise: Rhodes
The beautiful “Island of Roses” has a rich and varied history. On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city of Rhodes behind when they were defeated by Sultan. Stroll through the Palace of the Grand Masters and recall the days of the Crusades. Continue discussion of Homer.
Sunday, May 22 - Cruise: Ephesus and Patmos
Ephesus, Turkey
A tour to nearby Ephesus should not be missed, for here history truly comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces like the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where the Ephesians shout the praise to Artemis in reaction to the Gospel proclamation of Paul. Discussion of the Acts of the Apostles and Paul's epistle to the Ephesians.
Patmos, Greece
This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelation of John, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is now an Orthodox chapel that captures a glimpse of the vision of the heavens. Discussion of John's writings.
Monday, May 23 - Athens: Acropolis
Our tour of Athens includes a visit to the Acropolis, Parthenon, Erectheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylia, and Acropolis Museum. We will visit the Theatre of Dionysus, where the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were first performed in the 5th c. B.C. We also visit the Areopagus (Mar’s Hill) and look at the sermon of Paul to the Athenians of his day. Then we explore the Agora museum and the agora including the temple of Hephaisteion. The afternoon brings us into the Plaka of a walking orientation to the modern historical district. Discussion of Greek theatre. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Tuesday, May 24 - Athens: Museums
We continue our tour of Athens with a visit to the Pan Athenian Stadium, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens. Discussion of Sophocles' tragedies Oedipus the King and Antigone.
Wednesday, May 25 - The Vatican
This morning we fly to Rome and begin to explore its many sites. We stroll along the Tiber and enter Vatican City where we visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. We also see St. Peter’s Square and Basilica where Michelangelo's "Pieta," the only work signed by the master, is just one of many highlights. Discussion of selections from Byron's verse epic, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.
Thursday, May 26 - Ancient Rome
On our way to the ancient Roman Forum, we visit Rome's most outstanding landmark, the Coliseum. Its monumental size gives tribute to the Romans and their harsh forms of entertainment. After climbing the Palatine and the personal palace of Caesar Augustus, we enter the Roman Forum. There we walk by the Temple of Saturn and visit the Curia, Senate of ancient Rome. Stopping at the Trevi fountain, we make our way to the Pantheon, the oldest building of ancient time that still boasts an intact dome. Discussion of Shakespeare's tragedy, Julius Caesar.
Friday, May 27 - Excursion to Florence
Today we take a day's excursion to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. We will begin by visiting the Ponte Vecchio and the Plaza before walking through Florence's picturesque streets to the Church of Santa Croche. Next we head to the Accademia, the museum that holds Michaelangelo's greatest work, the sculpture of David. After visiting the grand Duomo cathedral, the day is free to explore Florence's wonderful shops, cafes, and art collections. Discussion of E. M. Forster's A Room with a View.
Saturday, May 28 - Rome: Romantic and Modern Rome
Worship with Christians from around the world in St. Peter's Basilica. Visit the famed Spanish Steps, where Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley lived and where Keats spent his final days. Enjoy some free time strolling the streets of Rome on our final day. We conclude with our farewell dinner and concluding remarks.
Sunday, May 29 - Flight to USA
We journey home with wonderful memories.
Contact Info:
May 16-20: Hotel Tolo 2, Tolo, Greece
Phone: 011 30 27520 59 248 Fax: 011 30 27520 59 464May 20-23: Aquamarine Cruise Ship
Call the Louis Cruises Hdqs in Athens: 011 30 210 458-3400May 23-25: Hotel Philippos, Athens, Greece
Phone: 011 30 210 922-3611 Fax: 011 30 210 922-3616May 25-29: Hotel Domus Seessoriana, Rome, Italy
Phone 011 39 06 701-1534 Fax: 011 39 06 701-8411Elizabeth Sparks (host):
Greece: 011 30 693 647 3595 Italy: 011 39 334 174 5645Page Navigation:
