Michael Barich has taught at Kenyon since 1985. His courses include Greek and Latin at all levels, literature in translation and ancient history. He has recently offered advanced Greek and Latin courses on Plato, Aristophanes and Petronius.
Barich's scholarly work is devoted in particular to epic poetry and the literature of the early Roman Empire. His translation of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica into English verse was published by XOXOX Press in 2009. His most recent scholarly publication is "Poet and Readers: Reflections on the Verbal and Narrative Art of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica" in "Brill's Companion to Valerius Flaccus," edited by Mark Heerink and Gesine Manuwald (Leiden: Brill, 2014): 29-48.
Barich also has had a lifelong interest in astronomy. He helps conduct public observing sessions at Kenyon's Franklin Miller Observatory to introduce students and others to the wider universe.
Education
1982 — Doctor of Philosophy from Yale University
1977 — Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College
Courses Recently Taught
The goal of this course is to cultivate students' skills as readers of continuous Greek prose. To this end, students expand their vocabulary as well as review and refine their understanding of the morphology and syntax of Ancient Greek. Upon completing this course, students read Greek prose with greater precision, nuance and speed. Authors read with some regularity in this course include Herodotus and Lysias; however, the particular text or texts vary from year to year and may be complemented with a portion of a tragedy or comedy. Offered every fall.
Students improve their skills in reading Greek and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read that semester. Each semester the readings change, so that GREK 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor in advance if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors taught in this course includes the lyric poets; the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes; and great prose stylists such as Plato and Thucydides, to name just a few. Offered every spring.
Students improve their skills in reading Greek and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read that semester. Each semester the readings change, so that GREK 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor in advance if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors taught in this course includes the lyric poets; the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes; and great prose stylists such as Plato and Thucydides, to name just a few. Offered every spring.
Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. The study of Latin also enhances students' ability to think analytically and to use the English language with greater understanding and sophistication. The benefit of these skills extends far beyond the study of Latin to all areas of life that demand critical thinking or effective oral and written communication. The aim of this yearlong course is twofold: (1) to give students a thorough knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary employed by Roman writers of the second century B.C.E. through the second century C.E., and (2) to have students read increasingly unadapted passages from those writers. After completing this course, students are prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil. Faithful attendance and timely completion of all work are essential to success in this course. There are daily assignments to prepare and frequent written homework, including translations from English to Latin. Classroom work focuses on understanding and practicing grammar and on reading Latin. Students also are introduced to the literary and cultural context of the readings. Progress is assessed by regular tests and frequent quizzes. There is a three-hour final examination in May. This course presumes no prior study of Latin. Students enrolled in this course are automatically added to LATN 102Y for the spring semester. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. The study of Latin also enhances students' ability to think analytically and to use the English language with greater understanding and sophistication. The benefit of these skills extends far beyond the study of Latin to all areas of life that demand critical thinking or effective oral and written communication. The aim of this yearlong course is twofold: (1) to give students a thorough knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary employed by Roman writers of the second century B.C.E. through the second century C.E., and (2) to have students read increasingly unadapted passages from those writers. After completing this course, students are prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil. Faithful attendance and timely completion of all work are essential to success in this course. There are daily assignments to prepare and frequent written homework, including translations from English to Latin. Classroom work focuses on understanding and practicing grammar and on reading Latin. Students also are introduced to the literary and cultural context of the readings. Progress is assessed by regular tests and frequent quizzes. There is a three-hour final examination in May. This course presumes no prior study of Latin. Prerequisite: LATN 101Y. Offered every year.
Emphasis is placed on improving reading efficiency through careful reading and translation of passages from Vergil's poetry. In addition, students develop an appreciation of the often-subtle intricacies of Vergil's poetic language and the untranslatable music of his verse. Attention is given to both understanding Vergil in his cultural and historical context and exploring his continuing significance. Offered every spring.
In this course, students improve their skills in reading Latin and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read during the semester. Each semester the readings change, so that LATN 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors regularly taught in this course includes Horace and Ovid; the comic poet Plautus; and great prose stylists such as Livy, Tacitus, Petronius and Augustine, to name just a few. Offered every spring.
Individual study in Latin allows students to study texts not covered or minimally covered in existing courses. To be eligible for an individual study, a student must also concurrently enroll in the advanced Latin course offered during the semester in which the individual study is to take place. If this is impossible, the student must petition for an exemption in the proposal for the study. To enroll in an individual study, a student should meet with an appropriate faculty member for a preliminary discussion of the project. If the faculty member is willing to supervise the study, the student must submit a proposal by email to all members of the department on campus. Departmental approval is required for the individual study to proceed. If the proposal is approved, the student should take the initiative in designing the course and, in consultation with the supervisor, develop a syllabus. The student and supervisor should meet at least one hour each week. For an individual study worth 0.5 units, the workload must be equivalent, at minimum, to that encountered in an advanced Latin course. For individual studies worth 0.25 units, the work should be approximately half that encountered in such a course. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study by the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval.\n