Homer Behind Bars: Teaching Homer's Odyssey in a Carceral Setting

Authors

Milana Strong

Senior Project Advisor

Miller Krause

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Keywords

Homer, Odyssey, Prison Education, Classical Education, Whatcom County

Abstract

The study of classical literature is often associated with elitism and class privilege. It can be difficult to study classical works in depth outside of higher education, making them less accessible to many underserved groups. This project seeks to expand access to classical literature through an 8-week course on Homer's Odyssey taught in the Whatcom County Jail Work Center. Designed to promote both accessibility and deep engagement with the text, classes combined assigned readings with student discussion and activities. This project is documented through a series of journal entries and lesson plans, detailing the challenges, adaptations, and benefits of teaching classical works in carceral settings.

[A supplementary file with lesson plans is included with this listing.]

Department

Modern and Classical Languages

Recommended Citation

Strong, Milana, "Homer Behind Bars: Teaching Homer's Odyssey in a Carceral Setting" (2025). WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 999.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/999

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf