Adventures in Ancient Literature: The Iliad

Reading & Comprehension

Students will move past surface-level reading to engage with The Iliad as a source of timeless human wisdom. We will practice close reading and annotations to appreciate Homer's artistry while mastering the ability to analyze narrative, character, and theme.

Dialogue & Rhetoric

This course is built on the Socratic tradition of inquiry. Students will master the habits of a genuine scholar by learning to formulate questions and articulate complex ideas with clarity and grace. The seminar is a shared pursuit of truth, emphasizing active listening and respectful responses that build a communal understanding of the epic's major themes.

Writing & Composition

Writing is thinking made visible. Students will undertake weekly reflection assignments to sharpen their logic and refine their expression. We will use structured peer critique as a vital tool, teaching students to evaluate arguments and polish their writing for clarity and persuasive power. 

The Art of Argumentation

The course culminates in an optional essay that delves into a major element of the epic (e.g., the nature of heroic virtue, the tension between fate and free will, or the definition of justice). Students who opt into this portion of the course will learn to construct a robust, evidence-based thesis and sustain a complex, beautiful argument, demonstrating engagement with the text’s most enduring questions.