Mythology in Ancient and Renaissance Rome: Life, Literature, Art
| Course(s): |
LIT 105 |
| Credits: |
Three (3) |
| Eligibility: |
Open to all EMU students in good academic standing and guest students. Must be at least 18
years old at the time of travel. |
Program Overview
"Mythology in Ancient and Renaissance Rome: Life, Literature, Art" will enable students to dig deeply into the seminal literature, characters, and concepts from Roman mythology in order to prepare them to experience and to think more critically about the ways that this mythology permeates both Ancient life and even our own today. We will complement this study of Ancient culture and life with a turn to the emergence of Roman gods, goddesses, and mythological systems in Renaissance artwork and architecture. Going to these sites and seeing both Ancient and Renaissance masterpieces side-by-side will enable students to appreciate the way that the ideals, images, and actions depicted in these myths permeated the development of Western Civilization (for better and for worse, since many of these myths celebrate sexual violence as much as they celebrate gender fluidity and metamorphosis).
Through this walking, living, comparison and interaction we’ll be able to see, for example, how aqueducts and plumbing facilitated the growth of cities and the arts; and how their destruction laid to waste centuries of creativity and vitality. Students will come to truly understand not only Ancient life and culture but also how -- and why -- the reemergence of Classical culture in the 15th century catalyzed new ways of thinking and interacting with the world itself. Indeed, the very name, Renaissance, means re-birth – and we’ll be able to witness precisely what was born and from whence. Bringing students to this crucible of western civilization will give them the opportunity to reflect upon its emergence, its destruction, its resurrection, and its continued legacy and pressures on the global world today. In this way, I hope to develop in students a critical engagement with the arts that enables them to participate more thoughtfully and with greater confidence as global citizens
Instructor Information
Melissa Jones, Ph.D. is a professor here at EMU teaching about English language and literature and women's and gender studies
On-Campus Class Meetings
This program has mandatory class meetings during Winter semester prior to departure. Meeting dates will be determined and announced to students accepted into the program.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial aid and many EMU scholarships may be applied to the tuition and fees for this approved program. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for more information on how to use your financial aid and scholarships to help cover the costs of studying abroad. Find information on national and EMU scholarships specifically for students that wish to study abroad at emich.edu/abroad/financialaid/scholarships.
*LITR 105 may satisfy EMU general education requirements. See emich.edu/gened for more information on the area each course fulfills. Students must contact the General Education Department​ to get courses pre-approved.