Course Descriptions

Classics

CLAS 100: Athens, Rome, and Jerusalem (1)
This course explores core Greek, Roman and Biblical texts that have had a marked impact on Western thought. It prepares students for further work in literature, philosophy, and religious studies across the disciplines. It also demonstrates the development of an intellectual tradition - the ways in which fundamental questions are passed from one generation to the next and reframed anew in changing cultural and historical contexts. Finally, in the belief that these are not only the questions of books and age s past, but of all people and all ages, the course provides a forum for student discussion of some of the important issues of their own lives. SFineberg

CLAS 104: The Ancient Mediterranean World (1)
Ancient civilizations through the fall of Rome.HSSDFatkin

CLAS 200: Greek Civilization (1)
A close reading of selected Greek authors from Homer to Aristotle is supplemented by lectures on the historical and artistic context in which the works were written. HUMDFatkin

CLAS 201: Ancient Rome (1)
Roman culture and society from Romulus and Remus (753 BCE) through Marcus Aurelius (180 CE). This course will call upon both literary and visual texts to trace the development of Roman social and cultural institutions from the city's beginnings as a small settlement on the Tiber to its dominance over the Mediterranean world. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 202: Greek Art and Architecture (1)
Greek vase-painting, sculpture, and temple-architecture are surveyed with attention to style and chronology as well as to the political, social and intellectual contexts in which the works were created. HUMSFineberg

CLAS 203: Classical Mythology (1)
The bewildering variety of the Greek and Roman myths defies explanation by a single theory. This course makes use of a variety of approaches, which should each yield some partial truth. The following questions are considered: What is the relationship between myth and science, religion or history? To what extent are myths the product of the unconscious or of society? How do myths define masculine and feminine gender roles? HUMSFineberg

CLAS 211: Greek and Roman Historians in Translation (1/2)
Readings include selections from Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Livy and Tacitus. The course explores the ancient concept of history, as well as its relation to some modern concepts of the discipline. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 212: Greek and Roman Epic Poetry in Translation (1/2)
Readings include selections from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid and Lucan's Pharsalia. The course explores the ancient epic genre, and some consideration is also given to the modern epic. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 213: Greek and Roman Comedy in Translation (1/2)
Readings include selected comedies of Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus and Terence, as well as ancient and modern writings on comedy as a genre. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 214: Greek and Roman Philosophy in Translation (1/2)
The course focuses on comparative assessment of perennial human concerns and interests (e.g., friendship, love, politics, the natural world, the nature of knowing). Readings include works of Plato, Aristotle and Cicero. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 215: Greek and Roman Rhetoric and Oratory in Translation (1/2)
The course explores the power of language to persuade. Readings include the works of Lysias and Demosthenes, speeches from the texts of Herodotus and Thucydides (e.g., Pericles' funeral oration), and speeches of Cicero, with some consideration of modern works (John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Garry Trudeau). HUMBFineberg

CLAS 216: Greek and Roman Tragedy in Translation (1/2)
The course examines the genre of tragedy as it was practiced by the ancients and as it has found form in modern texts. Readings include representative works of the three extant Greek tragedians, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and the Roman plays of Seneca. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 217: Greek and Roman Novels in Translation (1/2)
This course explores some of the earliest examples of what has become the contemporary novel. Readings include selections from Chariton's Chaereas and Callirhoe, Longus' Daphnis and Chloe, Apuleius' Golden Ass and Petronius' Satyricon. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 218: Greek and Roman Lyric Poetry in Translation (1/2)
This course explores the idea of lyric from the ancient to the modern period. Readings include selections from the Greek lyric poets (Sappho, Pindar, Callimachus, Theocritus and Meleager) and the Roman lyric poets (Catullus, Propertius, Tibullus, Horace and Ovid). The final week is devoted to lyric poems in English that show a classical influence. HUMBFineberg

CLAS 248: Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Staff

CLAS 270: Greek Philosophy (1)
The development of Greek philosophy from its origins in the pre-Socratic fragments through Sophists to the major systematic works of Plato and Aristotle. Special attention is given to the enduring character of the topics raised in ancient philosophy; namely the nature of reality, the definition of the Good, the apprehension of beauty, and the basis for social and political life. Staff

CLAS 273: Topics in Greek and Roman Culture (1)
Topics vary from year to year. Courses recently taught under this rubric include "Greek and Roman Love Stories;" "Shakespeare and Ovid;" "Dangerous Women of the Ancient Mediterranean." May be repeated for credit on different topics. Staff

CLAS 295: Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Classics not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

CLAS 299: Classics Workshop: Seminar on Theory and Method (1)
This course is designed for Classics students. It introduces students to a range of theoretical approaches, source material, professional writing in the field (journal articles), and bibliographical resources. Brief in-class presentations and final research paper are required.BFineberg

CLAS 341: The Great Theorists (1)
Plato to Aquinas. The political writings of Plato and Aristotle are emphasized and contrasted with the modern views of political life. Medieval Islamic and Jewish theorists are introduced. LSunderland

CLAS 348: Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Staff

CLAS 372: Classical and Medieval Drama and Theatre (1)
A study of the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Seneca, Aristophanes, Menander, Terence Plautus, and the medieval church and community in their social, cultural, religious, and theatrical surroundings. Alternate years. NBlackadder

CLAS 373: Topics in Greek and Roman Culture (1)
See description for CLAS 273.Staff

CLAS 390: Research Paper (.0)
Majors must complete a substantial research paper, using both primary and secondary sources, in a course in Latin, Greek, or Classics. The paper must be approved by the supervising instructor and by the chair of the department, who issues a grade of "P" for the 0-credit CLAS 390 course. An Honors project in Latin, Greek, or Classics may be used to fulfill this requirement. Staff

CLAS 395: Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Course offered occasionally to students in special areas of Classics not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

CLAS 399: Senior Seminar (1/2)
Drawing on work done in an advanced Latin or Greek course, and paying particular attention to method and theory, this course will include reading of primary and secondary sources and will culminate in a substantial research paper.Staff

CLAS 400: Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)
See College Honors Program. Staff