(Un)Common Reading Program – Spring 2012
IDH3931: “Jason & the Argonauts: an Epic Adventure from Ancient Greece”
Mondays, 6th Period, Little 117

Please note: all readings and viewings are required. Please report any broken links to the instructor.


Week 1 (January 9): Introduction

Week 2 (January 23): The Legend of Jason & the Argo
readings:  Introduction to the Argonautika (Rieu pp. 9-32)
                The mythological context of the Argonautika (Gods & Heroes pp. 13-66)
                Introduction to Apollonios (ARES System LINK)

Week 3 (January 30): The Argo Sets Sail
readings:  The Catalogue of Ships in the Iliad (LINK)
                Argonautika 1.1- 558 (Rieu pp. 35-52)

Week 4 (February 6): The Women of Lemnos
readings:  Herakles (Gods & Heroes 91-137)
                Argonautika 1.559-909 (Rieu pp. 52-60)

Week 5 (February 13): Samothrake to Bebrykia
HAND IN CHARACTER STUDY 1
readings:  Telamon (Gods & Heroes pp. 175-176)
                Argonautika 1.910- 1362 (Rieu pp. 61-72)

Week 6 (February 20): Bebrykia to to the Isle of Ares
readings:  The Clashing Rocks in the Odyssey (LINK)
                Argonautika 2.1- 1089 (Rieu pp. 73-103)

Week 7 (February 27): Arrival at Kolchis
readings:  divine council scenes (LINK)
                Argonautika 2.1089-3.130 (Rieu pp. 103-113)

Week 8 (March 12): Jason & Medea
readings:  Medea (Gods & Heroes pp. 219-220)
                Euripides’ Medea (http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/euripides/medea.htm)
                a powerful simile (LINK: Aeneid 8.22-25)
                Argonautika 3.131- 1162 (Rieu pp. 113-140)

Week 9 (March 19): The Ordeal & the Fleece
readings:  the ordeal of Kadmos (Gods & Heroes p. 141)
                Argonautika 3.1163-4.182 (Rieu pp. 140-151)

Week 10 (March 26): The Shadow of Odysseus
readings:  The Wanderings of Odysseus (LINK: Odyssey 23.300-343)
                The Returns of the Greeks from Troy (Gods & Heroes pp. 271-304)
                Argonautika 4.183-1227 (Rieu pp. 151-180)

Week 11 (April 2): Libya
readings:  Pindar Pythia 4 (LINK)
                Argonautika 4.1228-1622 (Rieu pp. 180-190)

Week 12 (April 9): Home to Greece
HAND IN CHARACTER STUDY 2
readings:  Argonautika 4.1663-1781 (Rieu pp. 190-195)

Week 13 (April 16): Reception of the Argonautika
readings: Jason & the Argonauts Issue #1 (Caliber Press, 1990) (ARES System LINK)
viewings: Jason & the Argonauts 1963 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5_6s7AhOVE)
                Jason & the Argonauts 2000 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiS1hQGhF8w)

Week 14 (April 23): interpretation exam