Overview of Course

This course journeys through cultural narratives and artistic depictions that reflected, shaped, and guided understandings of self and others in select societies and times. Following the path of the voyage, we will explore masterpieces created within cultures, inquire about historic events and natural phenomenon that influenced self-images and narratives, and analyze US conceptions of others at significant periods of interaction. Using interdisciplinary approaches and materials including historical documents; sea narratives, songs and poetry; fictional and non-fiction literature; theater, film, art, and popular culture representations, we will analyze, contrast and compare representations of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Greek cultures in different historical/cultural contexts.