Hillsdale College Launches New Online Course ‘The Odyssey’
The course explores Homer’s ancient epic poem about cunning, loyalty, and homecoming.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College has launched a new online course, “The Odyssey,” taught by Benedict Whalen, associate professor of English. The course, which is being released July 13-14, explores Homer’s ancient epic poem about cunning, loyalty, and homecoming.
“Homer’s epic poems consider the noblest ways of life and the virtues they require,” said Jeremiah Regan, executive director of online learning. “The story of ‘The Odyssey’ has been retold for over 2,000 years. Its far-reaching appeal stems from Homer’s keen insights into human nature. ‘The Odyssey’ encompasses the full experience of humanity, as Odysseus overcomes mythical battles and temptations to reach his home, only to find that after his many toils, the work of refounding his kingdom awaits.”
“‘The Odyssey’ celebrates the epic journey that sits at the root of all of Western literature.”
“The Odyssey” is one of Homer’s two great epic poems about the Trojan War and its aftermath. While ‘The Iliad’ is a story of war, rage, and glory, ‘The Odyssey’ is a story of cunning, loyalty, and homecoming. Every Hillsdale student studies Homer in Great Books as part of Hillsdale’s liberal arts core curriculum.
“All human beings love. All human beings suffer. All human beings ultimately die. ‘The Odyssey’ celebrates the epic journey that sits at the root of all of Western literature,” Whalen said. “The pages of ‘The Odyssey’ are a doorway to the past, through which we encounter the suffering, the trials, the joys, and the triumphs of the great heroes who came before us.”
The course includes 12 45-minute video lectures, as well as quizzes, study guides, and readings. The first lecture was released to the public on Monday, July 13, with the remaining lectures to follow on Tuesday, July 14.
- Ithaca: Book 1
- Rumors of Odysseus: Books 2-4
- Calypso: Books 5-6
- The Kingdom of Phaeacia: Books 7-8
- The Cyclops: Book 9
- Circe: Book 10
- Death and Woe: Books 11-12
- Return to Ithaca: Book 13
- Father and Son: Books 14-16
- The Beggar-King: Books 17-19
- Restoration: Books 20-22
- Husband and Wife: Books 23-24
- Watch the trailer and register for the course
- Photos from the course
- Photos of Hillsdale College
- High-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo
About Hillsdale College Online Courses
Hillsdale College’s free, not-for-credit online courses feature lectures from the College’s faculty members across various disciplines, including politics, history, economics, religion, and literature. More than 2.1 million students have enrolled in an online course with Hillsdale College. For more information on Hillsdale College’s online courses, visit online.hillsdale.edu.
DATE: July 14, 2026