Ancient Greek Literature
Honors Designation Available
Course Texts:
- Homer, The Iliad of Homer. Trans. Richmond Lattimore. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1961. (T3441)
- Homer, The Odyssey of Homer. Trans. Richmond Lattimore. Harper Perennial: New York, 1967. (T3442)
- Aeschylus, The Oresteian Trilogy. Trans. Philip Vellacott. Penguin Books: London, 1959. (T3443)
- Sophocles, The Theban Tragedies. Trans. E. F. Watling. Penguin Books: London, 1974. (T3446)
- Plato, Great Dialogues of Plato. Trans. W.H.D. Rouse. Signet Classic: New York, 2008. (T3451)
- Dorsch, T.S. Trans. Classical Literary Criticism. "Poetics" of Aristotle. Penguin Books: London, 2000. (T3452)
- King, Abigail. Classics Conference: The Greeks. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2002. (K2662 or K2664), Optional
- Greek Literature Weekly Quiz Book and Study Guide. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3460)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Iliad. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3441A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Odyssey. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2005. (T3442A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Three Theban Plays. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2005. (T3446A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Oresteian Trilogy. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2005. (T3443A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Great Dialogues of Plato. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3451A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to the Art of Poetry. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2005. (T3452A)
Course Description:
This course is a companion to the Greek history course. It introduces the student to the foundational works of Greek literature and Western culture, as well as to the study of genres and literary forms. The texts of antiquity are studied for their universal appeal to the human experience, as well as for their influence upon the great thinkers and development of the West. The Greek epics, plays, and philosophy are referenced throughout the literary and intellectual works of Western thinkers to this day.
Students will identify and examine the inter-relationship between the four primary genres of all imitative forms of literature: the epic, the lyric, the tragedy, and the comedy; identify and use literary devices and figures of speech such as: similes, metaphors, allegories, fables, parables; imitate these genres and literary devices in his writing, in order to understand more deeply the nature and power of these forms; become familiar with the greatest examples of Greek literature, and their impact upon Western literature and modes of thought throughout subsequent history; compare and contrast Greek ideals of heroism and virtue with the Christian understanding of these ideals, and identify what ways Greek thought served as preparation for the Gospel.
Ancient Roman Literature
Honors Designation Available
Course Texts:
- Virgil, The Aeneid. Trans. Patric Dickinson. Penguin Books: New York, 1961. (T3641)
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. Trans. M. Staniforth. Penguin Books: New York, 1964. (T3674)
- Plutarch, Fall of the Roman Republic. Trans. Rex Wagner. Penguin Books: New York, 1972. (T3673)
- Plutarch, Makers of Rome. Trans. Ian Scott-Kilvert. Penguin Books: New York, 1965. (T3672)
- The Kolbe Academy Roman Reader. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T3675)
- Shakespeare, "Coriolanus." Ed. Jonathan Crewe. Penguin Books: New York, 1999. (T3728)
- Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar." Ed. William Montgomery. Penguin Books: New York, 1988. (T3729)
- Shakespeare, "Antony and Cleopatra." Ed. A.R. Braunmuller. Penguin Books: New York, 1999. (T3730)
- St. Augustine, Confessions. Trans. R.S. Pine-Coffin. Penguin Books: New York, 1961. (T2778)
- King, Abigail. Classics Conference: The Romans. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2002. (K2663 or K2664), Optional
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Aeneid. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T3641A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Meditations. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T3674A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Plutarch. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T3672A),
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Roman Reader. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T3675A),
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide for Shakespeare's "Coriolanus," "Julius Caesar," and "Antony and Cleopatra." Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T3730A),
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to St. Augustine. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2006. (T2778A)
Course Description:
This course is a companion to the Roman history course, introducing the student to the important works of Roman literature, as well as to the use of figures of Roman history and literature by great writers of later times. The texts of antiquity are studied for their universal appeal to the human experience, as well as for their influence upon the great thinkers and development of the West. The Roman epics, plays, and philosophy are referenced throughout the literary and intellectual works of Western thinkers to this day. Shakespeare is also studied in this course for his inimitable analysis of the great personalities of Rome.
Students will become familiar with the main examples of Roman literature and their use by later writers, notably Shakespeare; identify and examine the inter-relationship between the Greek epic (the Iliad and the Odyssey), and the Roman epic (the Aeneid); identify the Roman virtue of pietas and its subsequent transformation in Christianity; further the study and imitation of these genres: epic, tragedy, comedy, and rhetoric. Biography (Plutarch) and autobiography (St. Augustine) will also be considered; learn to interpret and distinguish the fourfold senses of theological writings: the literal, the allegorical, the moral, and the eschatological; and trace the effect of the Greek world on the development of Latin literature, as well as the Greek influence in the works of St. Augustine.
Literature of Christendom
Honors Designation Available
Course Texts:
- Anonymous. The Dream of the Rood. Trans. James M. Garnett, M.A., LL.D. Gutenberg Press: 1911. (The Dream of the Rood is incorporated into T3702)
- Anonymous, Beowulf. Trans. David Wright. Penguin Books: London, 1951. (T3700)
- Anonymous, Song of Roland. Trans. Dorothy Sayers. Penguin Books: New York, 1957. (T3701)
- Anonymous, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Trans. J.R.R. Tolkien. Ballantine books: New York, 1980. (T3703)
- Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy: Hell. Dorothy Sayers, Trans. Penguin books: New York, 1959. (T3751)
- Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy: Purgatory. Dorothy Sayers, Trans. Penguin books: New York, 1959. (T3752)
- Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy: Paradise. Dorothy Sayers, Trans. Penguin Books: New York, 1959. (T3753)
- Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Nevill Coghill, Trans. Penguin Books: New York, 1977. (T3771)
- Shakespeare, William. Richard III. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Eds. Washington Square Press: New York, 1996 for The Folger Shakespeare Library. (T3733)
- Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Eds. Washington Square Press: New York, 1992 for The Folger Shakespeare Library. (T3732)
- Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. Peter Holland, Ed. Penguin Books: New York, 1999. (T3717)
- Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. A.R. Braunmuller, Ed. Penguin Books: New York, 2001. (T3726)
- Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer Night's Dream. Russ McDonald, Ed. Penguin Books: New York, 2000. (T3715)
- Milton, John. Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained. Christopher Ricks, Ed. Penguin Books: New York, 1968. (T3776)
- Kolbe Academy The Dream of the Rood and Study Guide including the poem. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3702)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Beowulf. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3701A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Song of Roland. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3701A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3703A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Divine Comedy: Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3753)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Canterbury Tales. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3771A)
- Kolbe Academy Shakespeare Medieval Study Guide. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3733A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Paradise Lost. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3776A)
- Kolbe Academy 11th grade Literature presents: Keep the Faith Lectures by Dr. David White and Dr. John C. Rao. Optional, (K2670)
Additional audio supplements available (OPTIONAL):
Audio series by Henry Russell
(1) The Catholic Shakespeare
- Macbeth-Tape (K2665)
- The Tempest-CD (K2668)
- Hamlet-Tape (K2667)
- Midsummer Night's Dream-CD (K2666)
(2) Introduction to the Divine Comedies-CD (K2669)
Course Description:
This course is a companion to the History of Christendom, introducing the student to the important works of the period, as well as to the literary styles and conventions developed in this period both those that it borrowed from previous times and those it expanded on or created. Students will become familiar with the main examples of Medieval literature; identify and examine the inter-relationship between the Greek epic (the Iliad and the Odyssey), the Roman epic (the Aeneid) and the Catholic epic (The Divine Comedy); identify the Christian virtue of chivalry and its role in Medieval society; identify the Christian virtue of courtesy and its role in Medieval society; identify the Christian metaphor of the spiritual quest to attain salvation; further the study and imitation of these genres: epic, tragedy, comedy, and rhetoric; learn to interpret and distinguish the fourfold senses of theological writings: the literal, the allegorical, the moral, and the eschatological; and trace the effect of the Christian world on the development of Medieval literature.
Modern Era Literature
Honors Designation Available
Course Texts:
- Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Books: New York, 1985. (T3881)
- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. Signet Classics: New York, 1997. (T3943)
- Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment. Signet Classics: New York, 1968. (T3871)
- Evelyn Waugh, Brideshead Revisited. Little Brown and co: New York, 1973. (T3889)
- G. K. Chesterton, The Man Who was Thursday. Penguin Books: New York, 1986. (T3891)
- Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Bantam Classics: New York, 1981. (T3888)
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Signet Classics: New York, 1998. (T3873)
- George Orwell, 1984. Signet Classics: New York, 1977. (T3884)
- New York, The Waste Land, Prufrock and other Poems. Dover Publications: New York, 1998. (T1444)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3881A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Tale of Two Cities. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3943A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Crime and Punishment. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3871A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Brideshead Revisited. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3889A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to The Man Who Was Thursday. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3891A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3888A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3873A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to 1984. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T3884A)
- Kolbe Academy Study Guide to "The Waste Land." Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (T1444A)
- Kolbe Academy 12th grade Literature presents Lectures on Dostoyevsky by Dr. White from Keep the Faith. Kolbe Academy Press: Napa, 2008. (K2671), Optional
Course Description:
This is a challenging course intended to be taken in conjunction with the 12th grade Modern and US History course. The course is largely based on reflective reading and writing essays based on text analysis. The novels have been chosen for their timelessness and their accurate, stunning portrayal of important historical events and the ideas that have helped shape the Modern world.
This course in Modern Literature will show how modern times have reaffirmed man's capacity for terror. Dickens presents "Madame Guillotine" as the patroness of a new nation. In Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov, a brilliant young man, caters to a philosophy that is utterly evil and self-destructive. Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited chronicles the struggle of the individual seeking goodness and truth in a world that is increasingly indifferent to man's spiritual needs. Robert Louis Stevenson shows how the degenerative possibilities of scientific discoveries can affect the nature of man and subconsciously devolve him into a Mr. Hyde. In 1984, the path of atheistic politics strikes the beauty and integrity of man and dwarf him from a creature made to love and serve God to a cog in the machine of a finite and pathetic state deity. Although modernity, in the words of T.S. Eliot, is a Waste Land "where the sun beats and the dead tree gives no shelter," the Church is the refuge for Heaven-directed pilgrims, and it is a large rock in the desert inviting all to "come under the shadow of this red rock."
Students will become familiar with some of the major authors and most influential novels from the Modern Era; identify the historical events that took place during the life of the Modern writers and how these events have impacted their writing; have a greater understanding of the evolution of literary style and technique in the Modern Era; learn to interpret and analyze an author's means of conveying ideas; and appreciate the impact of philosophy upon literature, and the subsequent impact of literature upon culture. |
