Dartmouth's Great CoursesEditor's Note: Dartmouth's system of distributive and major requirements can be cumbersome. We are left with a few empty slots, though, open to our discretion. Here is the time to take those courses that no educated person should graduate without. Below is a list of some of Dartmouth's finest liberal arts courses, none of which have prerequisites. Art History 1: Introduction to History of Art I Together these courses survey the entire history of art, from ancient Egyptian and Greek artwork through the post-modern art of Georgia O'Keefe and Salvador Dali. Architecture, sculpture, the graphic arts, and painting are all studied. While the two courses include sometimes dry lectures and innumerable slides to memorize, they allow the student to appreciate western civilizations's artistic legacy and its relation to our history. English 16: The King James Version of the Bible, I English 20: Chaucer I An introduction to Chaucer, this course concentrates on ten of the Canterbury Tales, and studies Chaucer as a social critic and literary artist. This course can be intimidating for Freshmen, as the middle English may seem daunting. English 24: Shakespeare I This class studies ten of his plays, spanning comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances. Be sure to take the class when it is taught by Professor Saccio, who is one of the best lecturers in the department. Avoid Lynda Boose's class like the plague, however. Little good has ever been said of Boose's class. English 28: Milton This study of the English epic poet surveys 'almost all of Milton's poetry and... important selections from his prose.' Unfortunately, it is taught by Thomas Luxon. While Professor Luxon sometimes allows his political leanings to get in the way of his scholarship, the subject matter makes the course indispensable. GOVERNMENT 3: The American Political System Together, these four courses serve as prerequisites to the Government major, the most popular major at Dartmouth. Yet, these introductory courses can be taken by non-majors alike. Few students pass through Freshman year without taking at least one of these classes. They tend to be somewhat basic, and the classes are large. However, they are often taught by some of the department's best lecturers, including Professors Masters, Nichols, and Mastanduno. Government 6 is especially popular. An introduction to political philosophy, this course surveys the works of humanity's greatest political thinkers. Beginning with Plato's and Machiavelli's contrasting concepts of justice, power, and human nature, the course spans the millennia from antiquity to modern times. Locke, Mill, Rousseau, Marx, and Burke are among the other authors discussed. Government 3 is another popular course, valuable to a student interested in learning about how our government works. Greek and Roman Studies 1: The Heroic Vision: Epics of Greece & Rome This course is a survey of some of the 'best known and most influential works to survive from the ancient world.' Students study Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid, Ovid's Metamorphoses, as well as Lucan's Pharsalia. These works serve as the fountainhead from which our culture's works of literature have emerged. Students will find a knowledge of the Classics essential toward understanding the broad span of Western literature. Professor Bradley is one of the best professors Dartmouth has to offer, but be prepared to read and participate in class. Greek and Roman Studies 2: The Tragedy and Comedy of Greece & Rome Similar to Greek and Roman Studies 1, this course focuses instead on drama. Students read dramatists such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Plautus, Terence, and Seneca. Professor Scott's fascinating lectures cover the artistic, theatric, and linguistic aspects of the works in addition to their social and historical context. Greek and Roman Studies 3: History, Politics, and the Good Life in the Classical World Rounding out the classical education, readings in this course are drawn from the historians of Greece and Rome. Beginning with Herodotus, the father of history, the course examines what it means to be a historian in a classical context and how recorded history changed through the classical times. Other authors surveyed include Thucydides, Xenophon, Livy, Tacitus, Plutarch, and Ceasar. On the whole, Greek and Roman Studies boasts some of the top professors at Dartmouth, each of whom is passionately involved in his subject. History 1: The United States, 1763-1877 These courses provide a foundation of knowledge about the birth and growth of our country. Kenneth Shewmaker is an excellent professor for History 1 and an exciting lecturer. Although Annelise Orleck can be militant in her politics, she keeps them out of the classroom when teaching History 2. History 3: The History of Europe in Medieval and Early Modern Times Similar to History 1 and 2, these courses focus instead on Europe. Again, they Humanities 1&2: The Classical Tradition For anyone interested in receiving a jump-start course in western civilization, look no further. Humanities presents the great literature and philosophy of the ages as a coherent whole. The courses trace the evolution of human thought from classical times (Plato, Virgil, Homer) to the Renaissance (Dante, Milton) through to the modern era (Nietzsche, Ellison). No other great books courses exist at Dartmouth. Take advantage of these courses if you can. The English 5 requirement sometimes precludes its availibility to freshmen. Italian in Translation 33: Dante Since most of us cannot read The Divine Comedy in its original Italian, this course is a must for anyone who wishes to be educated in the Western tradition. Dante himself certainly knew his literary predecessors. Professor Jewiss will astound you with her knowledge of the religious, political and social context surrounding Dante. This course is only taught during the summer term, so reserve a spot during your Sophomore Summer. Music 6: History of Western Art Music This course, 'An Introduction to Western Art Music,' emphasizes music of the past 300 years in an examination of selected masterworks. Like art history, this fascinating course provides students with an excellent view of our culture through the lens of an art. 'No previous knowledge of music is assumed.' Philosophy 2: This course is an absolute must to understand the origins of Western Civilization. The syllabus boasts such greats as Plato, Descartes, Hume, and Nietzsche. Despite the strong subject matter, Professor Sally Sedgwick's grading has sometimes been described as arbitrary. Religion 1: Patterns of Religous Experience In this class, as in most others at Dartmouth, thorough reading and class attendance are the ways to succeed. Although it is an introductory course, many Senior and Junior majors enroll, and can provide an intimidating atmosphere for Freshmen. Religion 65: Theology of Augustine These two thinkers are the most prominent Christian theologians. Professor Stinson displays an incredibly thorough knowledge of the subject matter. |
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