معرفی
Matthew Farmer is an Assistant Professor of Classics at Haverford College. His research focuses on Greek comedy, parody, and the intersection of tragedy and humor in ancient drama. He previously taught at the University of Missouri and holds degrees from Tufts University (B.A.), Bryn Mawr College (M.A.), and the University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D.).
Farmer specializes in courses like 'Sex and Power in the Ancient World,' exploring how sexuality shaped access to power across history. He co-teaches 'Culture and Crisis in the Golden Age of Athens,' a role-playing course where students immerse themselves in Athenian political scenarios. His work emphasizes accessible pedagogy, such as using Latin inscriptions and graffiti from Pompeii in classroom activities.
His book Tragedy on the Comic Stage examines how ancient comedies parodied tragic figures and themes, revealing shared comedic sensibilities across millennia. Personal artifacts in his office reflect his scholarly interests, such as a cow figurine symbolizing the myth of Io and a Terence quote pin highlighting humanistic themes in Roman literature.
Farmer’s teaching philosophy includes unconventional methods like chalking Latin phrases on campus to engage students creatively. His research bridges ancient texts with modern psychological frameworks, as seen in his student’s thesis analyzing trauma in the Io myth through PTSD theories.
