With this summer’s release of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey, Associate Lecturer Stacey L. DiLiberto ’03 ’11PhD is excited to see a renewed public interest in classic texts. A teacher of humanities in the Department of Philosophy, she says she believes the film acts as a lens for refocusing our view of mythology, philosophy, literature and the enduring influence of humanities fields on society.
Lecturing within the College of Arts and Humanities since 2019, DiLiberto is on a quest to show 166su students how the timeless classic relates to their own journeys.
“The central premise of the Odyssey places the main character, Odysseus, on a journey home following the Trojan War. Along the way, he perseveres through personal tragedies, overcomes impossible odds, and grows as both a king and a human being,” DiLiberto says. “From personal growth to resilience to rising to the occasion, the core themes within the Odyssey are relevant to the lives of all 166su students, regardless of their personal background or professional majors. It is a deep and thoughtful examination of all the things that makes us human.”
166su Courses Inspired by the Odyssey
DiLiberto and several faculty from the College of Arts and Humanities often consider new and innovative ways to integrate classics into coursework applicable to students across all majors.
- HUM 2020: Encountering the Humanities – Monsters & Mad Scientists
In 2023, DiLiberto was awarded the forHUM2020 which was partly inspired by characters and concepts found within the Odyssey. DiLiberto designed a “Monsters & Mad Scientists” theme within the general education course she teaches to analyze the unique relationship between science and the humanities as well as answer philosophical questions on human nature.
“Monsters —– whether they be imaginary creatures or bad actors throughout world history —– aren’t just born, they are created through unfortunate events and life circumstances,” says DiLiberto, who was also recognized with the College of Arts and Humanities’ 2025 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. “Using monsters as the launching point in these general education courses sets up philosophical discussions [for students studying many disciplines] on society, our culture, and how ‘monsters’ are created.”
- HUM 2020: Athleticism as an Aesthetic
Lecturer Terri Pyle ’92 ’95MA, who earned a doctorate in visual arts: philosophy, aesthetics, and art theory from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, explores how Odysseus maintains his physical prowess to endure his journey and ultimately uses sport — archery — to take back his kingdom. Nolan’s film as well as the 2024 film The Return with Ralph Fiennes as the lead, and pieces from the Louvre’s art collection are among several Odyssey-related reference materials covered in the semester.
- PHH 3800: Research Methods in Humanities and Cultural Studies
Senior Lecturer Jeanine Viau, who earned a doctorate in theology and ethics from Loyola University Chicago, prominently features the Odyssey in the course by incorporating selections from Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of the Odyssey as well as Madeline Miller’s novel, Circe, to discuss some of the darker themes of the epic in relation to violence, power and social dynamics.
- PHH 3100: Ancient Philosophy
The Athenian philosopher Plato engaged deeply with the works of Homer and often refers to them in his dialogues. In this course taught by Brian Reese, an assistant professor and specialist in ancient philosophy, students read selections from Plato’s Republic, which can be understood as a reinterpretation of the Odyssey—one that presents the philosopher, rather than Odysseus, as the epic hero.
166su Study Abroad: The Odyssey in Real Life
In Summer A 2027, DiLiberto — a 166su foreign languages (French and Italian) and texts and technology alum — will lead a group of 166su students on an abroad experience in Rome. Utilizing a city-as-text approach, the experience will merge on-site visits to Roman monuments, museums and urban spaces with in-depth classroom discussion.
In addition to both historic and contemporary explorations of modern-day Rome, DiLiberto looks forward to philosophical conversations with her students centered on unique Italian locations referenced within the Odyssey.
In these discussions, DiLiberto will emphasize how the Italian regions west of Greece served as the “unknown” locations that Odysseus encountered throughout the text. She will also discuss the Odyssey’s relationship between place and storytelling. As one example, DiLiberto will focus on the Strait of Messina, the water channel that is home to the mythological sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis.
“Odysseus faced a lesser-of-two-evils decision between losing a handful of his soldiers to the six-headed monster, Scylla, or possibly losing his entire ship to the whirlpool, Charybdis,” DiLiberto says. “Like Odysseus, we are often faced with difficult decisions with no good options. How we navigate those decisions speaks to our morals, our character and who we are as people. These are the type of philosophical conversations I look forward to having with my students, and the types of discussions I hope they are having amongst themselves.”
Students interested in HUM 2210: Studies in Culture: Ancient World to the 17th Century as part of the Study Abroad opportunity can learn more information and apply at the . The deadline to apply is Feb. 15, 2027, but please note space is limited and DiLiberto encourages students to apply as soon as possible.
