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The Latin Epics (Live)
In this semester-long live course, students will read the epic poems "The Aeneid" and "Metamorphoses" in their entirety. We will discuss these texts and the ideas and culture surrounding them using the Socratic method during class meetings.
Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Course Description: In this sixteen-week class, students will read the Latin epic poems The Aeneid and Metamorphoses 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 difficult topics, ideas, and events...
16 lessons//16 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Wars and a Man I SingStudents will read books 1-2 of "The Aeneid." 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 2Setting SailStudents will read books 3-4 of "The Aeneid." 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 Fields of MourningStudents will read books 5-6 of "The Aeneid." 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 4Marching to WarStudents will read book 7 of "The Aeneid" 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 5Forging AlliancesStudents will read book 8 of "The Aeneid." 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 6Council of the GodsStudents will read books 9-10 of "The Aeneid." 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 7Honoring the DeadStudents will read book 11 of "The Aeneid." 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 Final BattleStudents will read book 12 of "The Aeneid." 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 9Change and MortalityStudents will read books 1-2 of "Metamorphoses." 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 10Tales of WrathStudents will read books 3-4 of "Metamorphoses." 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 11Of Song and PunishmentStudents will read books 5-6 of "Metamorphoses." 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 12Exemplary TiesStudents will read books 7-8 of "Metamorphoses." 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 13Songs of DeceitStudents will read books 9-10 of "Metamorphoses." 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 14Around and About TroyStudents will read books 11-12 of "The Metamorphoses." 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 15Spoils of War with AeneasStudents will read books 13-14 of "Metamorphoses." 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 16Prophetic Acts and Visionary DreamsStudents will read book 15 of "Metamorphoses." 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 classical world.
- 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.
2 - 4 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 eight 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 four 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 eight written assignments.Certificate of Completion
Frequency: includedDetails: A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least four 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: Ovid. Metamorphoses. Translated by Charles Martin. New York: Norton, 2005. Virgil. The Aeneid. Translated by Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008.
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. Also note that "Metamorphoses" does contain some violent and abusive passages. I will explore this content delicately in class discussion and it will be used as a means of exploring gender roles in the ancient world.
Ovid. Metamorphoses. Translated by Charles Martin. New York: Norton, 2005. Virgil. The Aeneid. Translated by Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008.
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: 14-18
1-18 learners per class
