This course introduces students to the ways in which the foremost thinkers in the history of the Western world (Plato, Ovid, St. Augustine, Ficino, Ebreo) conceived the idea of love; how did the notions of sexuality and gender play into that idea, and how did these notions carry on – or not – into our present understanding of love, sexuality and gender. While the background readings pertain to the general Western cultural heritage, the literary texts through which we will observe particular applications of the theories of love were produced by some of the outstanding 16th and 17th century Spanish authors (for ex. Rodríguez de Montalvo; Jorge de Montemayor; Miguel de Cervantes; Tirso de Molina, María de Zayas, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz). All the readings will be in English. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.