Dr. Kristin Stasiowski

Discover why Dante's Divine Comedy has inspired writers and readers for nearly 700 years in this engaging, interdisciplinary discussion of some select canti (sections of poems) from the Inferno. We will delve into the fantastical world of Dante's imagined afterlife and discuss his writing not only in its medieval context but also with an eye to its enduring relevance to modern-day readers. We will explore the literary, political, theological, and philosophical concerns of the poem to understand Dante's work within the intellectual and social context of the Middle Ages. Some of the central topics of the course will include Dante’s relationship to Florence, his relationship to the people he encounters in Hell, and the unique aspects of his vision of the afterlife, including a variety of thematic concerns such as Dante’s understanding of poetry, grace, love, and divine justice.

OBJECTIVES:
CULTURE AND HISTORY: Students will develop a deeper appreciation of the historical, literary and theological context of the Divine Comedy.
CRITICAL APPROACH: Students will gain the ability to read works of literary, rhetorical and cultural criticism and will work on their own critical, active reading and writing skills through directed reading.
SENSE OF GENRE: Students will be able to identify formal elements of Dante’s use of language and poetry and how those shape the overall meaning of his poem.
ORAL COMMUNICATION: Students will learn productive and relevant modes of discourse to speak thoughtfully and in an informed way about moral, philosophical, ethical, and theological concerns in the Divine Comedy.

Lecture I: "The Dark Wood."
This lecture will cover canto 1-3 of the Inferno and will introduce the major themes and issues of the Divine Comedy.

Lecture II: "Love, Lust, and Reading for Pleasure."
This lecture will cover Canto V of the Inferno with a retrospective look at select parts of the Vita Nova.

Lecture III: "Poetry of Dis and Discord."
This lecture will feature a discussion of Canto XIII and Canto XXVIII, as both canti feature poets that are central to understanding Dante’s vision of the role and function of poetry in society.

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