Conflict and violence in Syria have displaced women and children to surrounding nations. Refugees living in Beirut, Lebanon have found voice and kinship through the ancient tragedy Antigone. Sophocles wrote Antigone in 441 BCE. The play is about a Princess dealing with the loss of war and daring to challenge the powerful. 250 years later some Syrian women see themselves in Antigone and have adapted the play to reflect their experiences.
Read MoreShipwreck Discovery Reveals Details about Maritime Warfare of Ancient Greeks
A 2,000 year old shipwreck was discovered off the Greek Island of Antikythera. It was full of expensive items such as marble and bronze statues, gold jewelry, perfume bottles and more. It was discovered over 100 years ago, but divers and scientists have recently returned to the wreck with sophisticated diving gear to search for more artifacts. They have found what they believe is not a luxury item but a torpedo-like device made of lead. Listen to hear how the ancient writings by the Greek historian, Thucydides, helped scientists find out how this was used.
Read MoreDebate: Is Pluralism Still an American Ideal?
The motto of the United States of America, “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “Out of Many, One,” represents an ideal as old as the nation. A recent study investigated how people currently feel about living in a pluralistic society, side-by-side with those who are different from them. The study found that large numbers of Americans reported having little contact with people of different religions, races, or political beliefs. Listen to a reporter involved in the study discuss the poll results and then debate: Is pluralism still an American ideal?
Read MoreBlack Representation in Literature
For Black History Month, a major bookseller placed “Diverse Editions” on its shelves with classic books by white authors featuring black faces on the covers. The bookstore says it hoped the covers would help to engage new audiences in classics like The Wizard of Oz, Frankenstein, and Romeo and Juliet. However, the action sparked outrage among many who say the bookseller is cashing in on Black History Month without truly honoring black authors. Listen to hear a writer explain why she considers the move to be “literary blackface” and what bookstores can do to support diversity.
Read MoreCURRENT EVENT | June 11, 2021
Most universities across the country have classics departments where students can study ancient Greek and Roman literature, art, culture, and language. The Founding Fathers drew on these ancient civilizations to create American democracy, and some say a classical education is key to understanding many important aspects of American life. Others argue that classics are ancient and irrelevant. They support reconfiguring university classics departments to include other more contemporary areas of study. Listen to a Howard University professor’s perspective and then debate: Is studying classics still relevant?
Story Length: 4:44
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05/10/2021
https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/1962-debate-is-studying-classics-still-relevant
Classroom Discussion Themes