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Event—Adult Education

A Woman's World: Homer's Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson

Jun 09, 2018

Emily Wilson's recently published translation of Homer's epic poem treats it like a diamond, revealing new facets and polishing old ones. The Odyssey is the story of a man, a war hero, making his way home, living—and almost dying—by his wits. But it is also a story of women...

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (April 17 at 10 am – May 4 at 4 pm): $220
Regular Registration Price (May 4 at 4 pm – first day of class): $242

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

This seminar is full. Please call (312) 255-3700 to be added to the wait list.

Excuse our dust!

The Newberry is undergoing an extensive first floor renovation in 2018. This project will be ongoing during the Summer 2018 seminar term. The Adult Education Seminars Program still has use of the basement classrooms, but please check this link frequently for the latest conditions - which exterior doors are open or closed, where to find an accessible entrance, which restrooms are available, etc.

Because of the renovation, the Newberry Bookstore will be closed during the Summer 2018 term. As such, seminar participants will be responsible for acquiring all required texts for their seminars on their own. We apologize sincerely for the inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding. We have put together a list of helpful resources that should make it easy to find the books you need.

Seminar Description

Emily Wilson's recently published translation of Homer's epic poem treats it like a diamond, revealing new facets and polishing old ones. The Odyssey is the story of a man, a war hero, making his way home, living—and almost dying—by his wits. But it is also a story of women: mortal and immortal, maiden and crone, slave and goddess. Wilson steps into their world and their story and fearlessly observes them both. She invites us into the past and the present, the old and the new. Let's join her. Six sessions..

Melinda Rooney writes, curates, and edits Recycled Fiction (recycledfiction.com), a journal of 'found' prose, poetry, music, and art. She teaches literature, writing, and philosophy, and her fiction has appeared in such publications as North American Review, Washington Square, and Quarterly West.

Materials List

Required:

  • Homer, translation by Emily Watson, The Odyssey, W.W. Norton, 2018. ISBN#: 978-0393089059
  • A selection of shorter material provided by the instructor.

First Reading:

  • For the first class, please read Books 1-4 ("The Telemachy") of Wilson's translation of The Odyssey. The Introduction and Translator's note are optional but highly encouraged.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.