Sophomore Colloquium 1: Antiquity (fall)
You will begin your COL experience by exploring the historical, philosophical, political, and literary revolutions that shaped the worlds of Antiquity, whose richness and variety is represented by writings from Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy and the Mediterranean, spanning more than 2500 years (from 2200 BCE to 400 CE). From The Odyssey to the Bible, you and your paired Professors may discuss the beginnings of monotheism, the practice of slavery, Plato's and Aristotle's conceptions of the soul, Herodotus' understanding of history, or gender in the Bacchae. While some writers and thinkers are "regular" visitors to our syllabi, themes differ over the years as well as the texts used to approach them. In fact, new COL majors are often pleased to discover that instructors regularly redesign the syllabus for the colloquium. COL majors can even contribute to the construction of the syllabus, since they usually meet with their next colloquium instructors prior to the beginning of the semester to discuss possible themes and readings.
For a sample of syllabi for the SOPHOMORE COLLOQUIUM (fall), click below:
COL241 Antiquity Colloquium 2021
Sophomore Colloquium 2: The Middle Ages (spring)
The Middle Ages leading to the Renaissance are less and less portrayed as the Dark Ages of Europe, and more and more seen as a time with its share of enlightening ideas and moments. Religious, social, and political changes abound, after all, and you may find yourself reading texts from three different religious traditions with Saint Augustine's Confessions, excerpts from the Qu'ran, Jewish Spanish poetry, and Dante's Inferno all in one semester. Women are also more present as literary agents, from Hildegard, to Marie de France, and Christine de Pizan, and their voices might surprise you.
For a sample of syllabi for the SOPHOMORE COLLOQUIUM (spring), click below: