<p>The letter seems to indicate that the invitation was selective, but then my other Cornell-bound friends had all received it as well. Anyone know about this?</p>
<p>hmmm...this is probably just one of the many optional orientation information sessions...likely this is the one organized by the IFC to give parents/students an idea as to how frats work...and to emphasize the non-hazing policy (LOL)</p>
<p>i was, at least</p>
<p>No, it isn't an information session. It's a class: Classics 217. I know, because I took it last year. Not that many people are invited (maybe 60?) because the class only has 18 spots (which makes it a big coincidence that I'm talking to you about it!). You have to apply in writing to the chair of the Classics department in order to be considered (which isn't as intimidating as it sounds; it's only a paragraph or two on why you want to take the class). Most who are invited express an interest in some kind of humanity subject on their applications (Philosophy, Government, Classics, English, etc.) It's what's known as a "seminar"-style class, where everyone sits around the table and has discussions. It's a very demanding, challenging class- we read about 22 books throughout the semester, all dealing with ancient Greek literature and philosophy (and some modern texts on the ancient Greeks and on modern philosophy, like metaphysics): Aeschylus, Euripides, Homer, Plato, Heidegger come to mind. (The class and I actually came to a consensus that it shouldn't be called "Introduction to Greek Culture" but rather "Introduction to Greek Literature," since that's what it's really about).</p>
<p>I REALLY highly recommend it. Prof. Pucci has an incredible amount of wisdom. Prof. Abel, unfortunately, who has always tought the class alongside him, died last year, but the other professor is also one of the Classic's department's (and the field's) leading people... here's the course description:
<a href="http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Academic/Courses/CoSdetail.php?college=AS&number=217%282603%29&prefix=CLASS&title=Initiation+to+Greek+Culture+%23+%28LA%29%5B/url%5D">http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Academic/Courses/CoSdetail.php?college=AS&number=217%282603%29&prefix=CLASS&title=Initiation+to+Greek+Culture+%23+%28LA%29</a></p>
<p>If you have any questions about the class, ask me, since I know everything there is to know!</p>
<p>I was invited too. Thanks for the description lianri...now I really want to get into the class!</p>
<p>ahahahahhahahahaha i'm glad we got that cleared up- a class not about greek life</p>
<p>Lianri, how much writing is involved with the class? And if I'm going to be a 1st semester freshman, should I only take 3 other classes with this one?</p>
<p>For all the reading, there isn't much writing: 2 5-page papers (one on ancient Greek philosophy...the other on something else, I forget). We also did a project on one of Euripides' plays at the end of term.
I took 5 classes total my first semester, 217 included. It was tough at times, but definitely manageable if you're up for the reading (I'm a fast reader, so it wasn't much of a problem).
Look- <em>every</em> freshman should start out with 5 classes because you have 3 weeks to see how it goes (during which you can both drop AND add classes) and <em>seven whole weeks</em> to drop a class if the workload is too much. Why not take 5? You may find that it IS manageable. Even if you're confident that you're going to drop a class, at least after starting out with 5 you can basically pick your 4 favorite classes in which you have the best experiences (rather than picking 4 randomly before term starts and potentially missing out on a great class).</p>