Moby-Dick and Modern America

We'll work together as a multidisciplinary crew to harpoon this monumental work of epic evil.

“I have written a wicked book, and feel as spotless as a lamb.”
–Melville in a Letter to Hawthorne, July 1851

This class is an introduction to Herman Melville’s famous epic, Moby-Dick; we will read the book in its entirety. This course explores a wide range of subjects, such as: philosophy, metaphysics, ontology, world/American/scientific/maritime history, art, mythology (Greek and otherwise), cetology, geography, popular art and culture, justice, poetry, environmentalism, etymology, civilization, savagery, Shakespeare, heroism, war, nothingness, evil, darkness, hell, the abyss, god, death, race, religion, monstrousness, genius, madness, wisdom, ethics, eschatology and some slice of the complexity of existence within the human condition.

We will embark on this literary ship of the past as it winds its way from the world’s beginning to the present day, beginning at page one with Ishmael, a young man who, contemplating suicide, instead decides to commit himself to sea. You can expect to finish this class with no answers, but rather, a firm grasp of the magnitude of the questions. You can expect to improve enormously as a reader, to be mind-blown, blubber-brained, and equipped with a whole new set of philosophical and analytical tools to approach any daunting work of great literature you may read in the future. Have no fear: we will work together as a crew to harpoon this evil epic. Join me on a whaling voyage around the world!

For the application...

Prerequisites

A skeptic mind, a sense of wonder, and a courageous heart.

Relevant experience

List any previous courses you've excelled at in the past in the humanities or social sciences. Experience in almost any field will be directly relevant to our reading but more important than anything is your curiosity, especially if it is grounded with tenacity.

Application Question (Core-specific free response)

1. What is your favorite book, your favorite word, and favorite work of art? Explain why each is your favorite in a short paragraph.
2. What would you say is the one thing you know the most about? How did you gain this experience?
3. What have you been told about Moby-Dick (positive or negative)?
4. What is your impression of the Moby-Dick, having not yet read it?
5. Send me one example of a reference to Moby-Dick you’ve seen in popular culture or in your daily life. If none come to mind, do a YouTube, Google, Pinterest, (etc) search and pick out the most interesting one you can find.