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Epic Poetry (Live)
In this semester-long live course, students will read both "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and "Idylls of the King" in their entirety. We will discuss these texts and the cultures surrounding them using the Socratic method during class meetings.
Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Course Description: In this sixteen-week class, students will read the classic works of epic poetry The Epic of Gilgamesh and Idylls of the King in their entirety. Class meetings will utilize a Socratic format where the instructor facilitates a discussion using guided questions. This enables students to interact with each other, the instructor, and the content more actively than in a traditional lecture-style course. Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially...
16 lessons//16 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Gilgamesh King in UrukStudents will read the prologue of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 2Lesson 2The Coming of EnkiduStudents will read the first section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 3Lesson 3The Forest JourneyStudents will read the second section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 4Lesson 4Ishtar and Gilgamesh, and the Death of EnkiduStudents will read the third section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 5Lesson 5The Search for Everlasting LifeStudents will read the fourth section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 6Lesson 6The Story of the FloodStudents will read the fifth section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 7Lesson 7The ReturnStudents will read the sixth section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 8Lesson 8The Death of GilgameshStudents will read the seventh section of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 9Lesson 9The Coming of ArthurStudents will read the first poem in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 10Lesson 10Gareth and LynetteStudents will read the second poem in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 11Lesson 11EnidStudents will read the third and fourth poems in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 12Lesson 12Fated RomanceStudents will read the fifth and sixth poems in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 13Lesson 13Lancelot and ElaineStudents will read the seventh poem in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 14Lesson 14The Holy GrailStudents will read the eighth poem in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 15Lesson 15The Red Knight in the NorthStudents will read the ninth and tenth poems in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.Week 16Lesson 16Guinivere and ArthurStudents will read the eleventh and twelfth poems in "Idylls of the King." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions. There will also be an optional written assignment.
- Students will hone their critical thinking and analytical skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better literary and historical understanding of their world.
- Students will come away having read seminal texts that give them a better understanding of the culture, events, and ideas that led to modern civilization.
- Students will develop a greater understanding of history, thought, and culture in the ancient and medieval worlds.
- Students will gain the opportunity to read dense texts in small, age-appropriate chunks, which enables them to develop their reading comprehension and analytical skills in a meaningful way.
I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach the liberal arts at a classical school. I’m also a professional creative writer and journalist. I love helping students of all ages understand and interpret difficult subjects and learn how to crystallize their thoughts in writing and oral communication. I believe studying classic texts is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assignments
Frequency: includedFeedback: includedDetails: Reading assignments will be required prior to each class meeting. Weekly optional writing assignments of around 250 words will also be offered. I will provide grading and feedback on these assignments if it is desired. In order to receive a grade for the course, students must complete at least four of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to sixteen completed assignments. A student who only completes two assignments may receive a certificate of completion for the course if they so choose. Written assignments are entirely optional. The only requirement for the course is reading and participating in class discussions.Letter Grade
Frequency: includedDetails: Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete at least four written assignments.Certificate of Completion
Frequency: includedDetails: A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least two written assignments.
It is ideal that students have similar editions, or at least the same translation, as each other and the instructor. Let me know if you have trouble finding them. Below are the editions we will be using for this course: The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by NK Sandars. London: Penguin Classics, 1972. Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Idylls of the King. Edited by JM Gray. New York: Penguin Classics, 1996.
Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the syllabus in order to determine if they wish their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by NK Sandars. London: Penguin Classics, 1972. Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Idylls of the King. Edited by JM Gray. New York: Penguin Classics, 1996.
Joined June, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University
I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach...
Reviews
Group Class
$30
weekly or $480 for 16 classes1x per week, 16 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-18 learners per class
