REST216L - Ancient Greek Religion

3 Credit(s)

Liberal Arts
This course is an introduction to the world of thought and practice that comprises ancient Greek religion. With its multiplicity of divinities, the absence of Scriptural authority, its sacrificial and ritualistic practices, and more, ancient Greek religion is really an “other” way of being-in-the-world religiously. During the course students will learn about the most important gods, festivals and religious concepts that give content and structure to ancient Greek religion. During the course we will raise questions that may not have been raised by the participants, such as what effect does this practice have on the participant and on society? What kinds of values does a given text or practice suggest or implicitly depend on? What are the conceptions of human nature that the texts and practices envision? What does a given dimension of Greek religion show to be fundamental to human happiness and welfare?