This course explores the profound literary work of Dante Alighieri, specifically his influential poem, the Divine Comedy. Through the MyDante platform, developed by Professor Frank Ambrosio in collaboration with Georgetown University's CNDLS, students engage deeply with the text, exploring themes of human freedom, responsibility, and identity. The course employs "Contemplative Reading", a critical practice central to Liberal Arts, to foster a personal and transformative engagement with Dante’s narrative.

  • Master the practice of "Contemplative Reading."
  • Apply analytical skills to Dante’s Divine Comedy.
  • Gain a deep familiarity with and knowledge of Divine Comedy.
  • Reflect personally on themes such as human dignity, freedom, and responsibility.
  • Understand contributions from Christian, Catholic, and Jesuit traditions to humanities.
  • Introduction to the Course and themes in Inferno
  • Vita Nuova: Chapters 1-42 divided into two parts
  • Inferno: Analysis of Canti 1-34 across multiple sessions
  • Purgatorio: Introduction and detailed reading of Canti 1-33 divided into several sessions
  • Paradiso: Introduction to themes and comprehensive study of Canti 1-33