Author Archives: Tobias

First Paper Conferences

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Tobias

For your convenience, I’m posting the schedule for the paper conferences on your rough drafts below.  If you’re not on the list yet, please send me an email and let me know whether you can make it at one of … Continue reading →

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Was Achilles on Facebook?

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Tobias

Speaking of literary works as maps and mapping literary works, the New York Times ran an interesting column today.

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Study Abroad

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Tobias

Yesterday’s discussion of literary mappings and other ways of visualizing the world through fiction represents a good opportunity to remind you that our course is, of course, also intended to serve as a window out onto the world. Above is … Continue reading →

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Changes to First Paper Deadline

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Tobias

The online course schedule now reflects the changed deadlines for the first paper. Your rough draft will be due on Friday, September 14.  I will read your papers over the weekend and schedule paper conferences with all of you for … Continue reading →

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Ancient Colonization

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Tobias

The map below shows the political geography of the Mediterranean in the 6th century BC.  Greek cities and colonies are labeled in red, Phoenician ones in yellow.  Greek colonization began in roughly 800 BC and is thus more or less … Continue reading →

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“Is My Thesis Hot or Not” Survey

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Tobias

You can find the link to our “Is My Thesis Hot or Not” survey here. There are 10 theses for you to rank.  Don’t overthink this – go with your gut feelings, and remember that anonymity is completely guaranteed.  We’ll discuss … Continue reading →

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Excursion to Field Museum

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Tobias

For our Sunday excursion to the Chicago Field Museum, please plan to arrive at the parking lot by the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore by 9:45 am.  The bus will leave campus at 10 am. Estimated arrival in Chicago is 11 … Continue reading →

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Odysseus’ Dirty Linen

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Tobias

The Phaiakians have always been among my favorite people in the Odyssey, and none more so than the young princess Nausikaa.  I like the Phaiakians because of their all-around weirdness (just listen to the names at VIII 118-26!), as well … Continue reading →

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Sample Blog Post for the Odyssey

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Tobias

We ran out of time to finish our discussion of the role that physical space plays in the Odyssey, and so I would like to use my first blog post to talk a little bit about the ways in which I … Continue reading →

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Study Questions for Odyssey IV-VI

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Tobias

Here are some more study questions for the next three books of the Odyssey.  I will put up a longer blog post that might serve as a model for your own contributions over the weekend. Please also remember that the “comments” … Continue reading →

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