I teach an introductory required Humanities course most semesters and I usually include the Odyssey as part of it, even though it's not included in the core readings. I usually laugh at Odysseus' struggle with anonymity on Phaeacia, especially when he's challenged to join their competitions and when he requests songs to be sung about his own exploits at Troy. But last year it struck me a less comically and more personally, and our autumn foliage was spectacular, and somehow those things became a poem.

I'd love to have your son in my class!