This course introduces students to key works that have shaped Western literary traditions. Students gain familiarity with Near Eastern literatures, such as the Bible and Gilgamesh; the Greek poetic tradition, including its epic, lyric, and dramatic incarnations; and finally Augustan Roman poetry. By engaging with these seminal texts, students develop their skills in literary analysis, close reading, and critical discussion. Historical and cultural contexts are emphasized, and students are encouraged to draw connections between the ancient world and contemporary thought.

Homer, Sophocles, Sappho, Virgil, Ovid.

Our classical philosophy course offers a comprehensive introduction to Western philosophy, tracing its evolution from the early Greeks until the medieval period. Students will explore the earliest formulations of fundamental philosophical questions about existence, justice, love, logical reasoning, and the pursuit of the highest good. They will learn to reconstruct, expand and critique complex arguments, ultimately with a view to constructing their own.

Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, Maimonides, Augustine.

Delving into foundational works of ancient historical and political thought, students take a comprehensive look at how the classical world understood power, governance, and the ever elusive concept of human nature. Students will explore themes such as the strengths and weaknesses of democracy, the importance of story-making in politics, and the relationship between moral virtue and effective leadership. Through these texts, students will gain experience analyzing both historical and philosophical arguments. Familiarity with foundational concepts of Western political thought provides the intellectual groundwork to engage critically in contemporary political debate.

Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Tacitus.