The question of the meaning of human freedom on the basis of a careful reading of major portions of Dante Alighieri's La Divina Commedia will be studied by the class using an integrated approach that draws together elements from the disciplines of literature, psychology (especially the theories of Jung), philosophy, and theology. Through analysis of the text and discussion of selected critical literature, students will be asked to reflect on Dante's interpretation of the nature of human freedom, how it functions in the formation of personal identity, and the problem of finding appropriate metaphors to discuss these issues in the transformed historical context of contemporary life. The focus of the course will be on both understanding Dante's position on these issues and developing the students' own views in response to them.