Kathryn Caliva joined the Kenyon faculty in 2022. She teaches courses in both Greek and Latin, as well as a number of courses related to ancient literature and culture, including epic poetry, classical mythology and ancient religions. Her research focuses on the intersection of religion and poetry in antiquity and interrogates the relationship between narrative, knowledge, and authority. She is also interested in the social roles of women and female speech in ancient sources.
Areas of Expertise
Greek poetry, ancient religions, mythology
Education
2018 — Doctor of Philosophy from The Ohio State University
2013 — Master of Arts from Indiana University
2010 — Bachelor of Arts from Providence College
Courses Recently Taught
It is impossible to understand the cultures of the West without some knowledge of classical mythology. Not only are some myths wildly entertaining, they permeate popular imagination and life to this day. This course focuses on the evidence from ancient Greece and Rome but may also include material from other traditions. Class discussion explores some of the overarching themes contained within the myths themselves and how these stories have influenced modern culture through literature and art. At the same time, students have a chance to observe how the treatment of different myths changes from author to author, thus revealing what issues were important to the people who told them. This course fulfils a core course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
This yearlong course prepares students to read Ancient Greek literature in its original form. The first semester and the first half of the second semester consist of readings and exercises from a textbook designed to help students build a working vocabulary and learn the extensive and subtle grammar of this language. Twice a week students translate a short piece of authentic Greek, appreciating its artistry and situating it in its cultural context. After spring break, the hard work of the preceding months is rewarded with the opportunity to read Plato's dialogue "Crito" or another text written in Attic prose. The course is taught in English and does not presuppose any knowledge either of Ancient Greek or of grammatical terminology. Students enrolled in this course are automatically added to GREK 112Y for the spring semester. This course can be counted toward fulfillment of the major. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
This yearlong course prepares students to read Ancient Greek literature in its original form. The first semester and the first half of the second semester consist of readings and exercises from a textbook designed to help students build a working vocabulary and learn the extensive and subtle grammar of this language. Twice a week, students translate a short piece of authentic Greek, appreciating its artistry and situating it in its cultural context. After spring break, the hard work of the preceding months is rewarded with the opportunity to read Plato's dialogue "Crito" or another text written in Attic prose. The course is taught in English and does not presuppose any knowledge either of Ancient Greek or of grammatical terminology. This course can be counted toward fulfillment of the major. Prerequisite: GREK 111Y. Offered every year.