From antiquity to modern times, writers have tried to capture what is essential in human nature by composing tragedies. What defines tragedy? How does the tragic form provide occasions for ethical examination? We will explore tragic literature from Sophocles to Miller and from Shakespeare to Shaw, as well as theories of tragedy from Aristotle to Brecht. Prerequisite: 400-level course in the Humanities or upper-level literature class. Preference given to seniors & graduate students. No WebReg; stamped approval from the instructor’s office required.