This course explores ancient myths that have their roots in the first millennia BCE and still capture the attention of modern audiences. We will focus especially on stories about Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur and how their stories have been reimagined in works of literature and art from antiquity to today, as we study several other important ancient myths.

We will discuss several questions: Is there such a thing as an “original” version of a myth? How do ancient and modern authors and artists change myths? How can we interpret newer and older versions of myths in dialogue? Why do modern authors return to stories of ancient Greece? How do shifts in perspectives in modern stories give us new insights into the myths and their diverse appeal?

Our journey through myth will take us through Greek tragedy, Roman poetry, English novels and short stories, and Latin American fiction as we also visit several sites significant to ancient myths, including sites in mainland Greece and Crete, such as Athens, Knossos, Mycenae, Thebes, and Corinth.

Course Details

Enrollment
This course requires a minimum enrollment of 10, with a maximum enrollment of 20.

Credit
60 contact hours

Essential Information
Enrolled students will have access to detailed information prior to departure that will include directions to the Academic Center and other practical information about the course. CYA recommends the following websites for general information about Athens and Greece: http://www.athensguide.com/ and http://www.greektravel.com/

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This course involves extensive travel.  Be wary of overpacking.  Pack only what you can carry comfortably, because you will be required to check- in and out of accommodations for each stay/travel segment of this course. It will also be useful to bring with you travel-size cosmetics.

Housing
While in Athens, students are housed within walking distance of the CYA Academic Center in either CYA student apartments located in the Pangrati neighborhood of central Athens or in hotel accommodations arranged by CYA. CYA apartments are simply furnished and equipped with a full kitchen and air-conditioned bedrooms; towels, linens and housekeeping service will be provided. Hotel accommodations will be in simple 2- or 3-star hotels, double- or triple-occupancy, with air-conditioned rooms.

Facilities
The CYA Academic Center is located next to the Athens Marble Stadium and houses classrooms, the library, the student lounge and cafeteria, computer facilities (including wireless access for those students who choose to bring laptop computers), laundry facilities, and administrative offices. The Academic Center is accessible Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Meals
When class is in Athens a full mid-day meal will be served weekdays in the CYA cafeteria between the hours of 12:00-3:00 p.m. During study travel, breakfast will be offered at the Hotels. A welcome and a farewell dinner are also included in the course fee.

Day-to-day Program & Itinerary
The day-to-day program and itinerary of the course are subject to change. Students are advised not to make plans for their free time or weekends in advance, as class schedules and site visits may be re-scheduled depending on local conditions.