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Classics Courses

Classics Courses

CLAS 104 The Ancient Mediterranean World

Ancient civilizations through the fall of Rome.

CLAS 110 History of Ancient Greece

This class explores the events of ancient Greek history and the achievements of Greek civilization. Today, we often look back to ancient Greece, particularly Athens, as the foundation of modern, western culture, but how much do we really know about life in Greece? And why should we care? This class seeks to answer these questions and others as we examine the history of ancient Greek cities, their institutions, and cultural achievements. Chronologically, we cover the Bronze Age to the Classical period. This class includes the traditional military and political history of ancient Greece, but we also learn about ancient Greek society as a whole and consider the cultural foundation of ancient life. By the end of this class, students should understand both the overall shape of ancient Greek history and culture, and how historians know what they know about the ancient Greek past.

CLAS 111 History of Ancient Rome

Roman culture and society from Romulus and Remus (753 BCE) through Marcus Aurelius (180 CE). This course calls 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.

CLAS 202 Greek Art and Architecture

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.

CLAS 203 Classical Mythology

This course introduces students to the myths of ancient Greece and Rome. These stories are, on the surface, thrilling tales about gods and heroes, but they are also windows into how these ancient cultures confronted the physical and social worlds: we will examine, for example, how social identities such as woman and man, citizen and slave, foreigner and native, were variously reinforced and contested through the medium of myth. In addition to becoming literate in classical mythology, which still forms the basis of countless films, novels, television shows, games, and comic books, students will also learn some of the fundamentals of ancient history and culture.

CLAS 204 Roman Art and Architecture

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Roman art - sculpture, painting, architecture and minor arts - from the time of the Etruscans through the era of Constantine (c. 1000 BCE - c. 400 CE), with particular attention given to the relationship between Roman art and society. Among other topics, we will study the impact of both Etruscan and Greek art and architecture on that of the Romans, Augustan Rome, the houses and paintings preserved in Pompeii, Roman architecture and the projection of Roman imperial power, sexuality in Roman art, art and architecture in the Roman provinces and the era of Constantine and the shift to Christianity.

CLAS 231 Hebrew Bible

See description for RELS 231.

CLAS 232 Early Christian Texts

This course introduces students to formative texts in early Christianity, including texts of the New Testament as well as non-canonical texts. We will situate these texts in their own historical moment, considering them within Hellenistic Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. Diverse portrayals of the life and teaching of Jesus will emerge, and we will analyze ways that variety extends to the teachings of his followers. This course will also introduce modern methods of interpreting the Bible, including reading the New Testament in terms of postcolonialism, gender, sexuality, disability, and empire, in addition to historical and literary approaches. This course considers the different questions each scholarly method asks of a text, and the tools it uses to answer them. This course will familiarize students with the history and literary types of early Christianity, as well as different approaches to interpretation in the interest of equipping students for knowledgeable and respectful dialogue about the Bible.

CLAS 270 Greek Philosophy

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.

CLAS 271D Religions of Greece and Rome

See description for HIST 271D.

CLAS 271E The Archaeology and History of the Bible

See description for HIST 271E.

CLAS 273 Topics in Greek and Roman Culture

Topics vary from year to year. Courses recently taught under this rubric include "Greek and Roman Romance Novels"; "The Classical World of Harry Potter"; "Greek and Roman Sexualities". May be repeated for credit on different topics.

CLAS 277 Ancient Sexualities

Sexual desires and practices have inspired works of literature and art, are found in the origins of religions and civic institutions, and have influenced human behavior throughout time. This course focuses on literature, art, and social practices in the ancient Mediterranean world. Through the study of primary sources and modern theoretical works, students examine expressions of sexuality in antiquity and trace the ongoing influence of ancient sexualities in the present day.

CLAS 299 Classics Workshop

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.

CLAS 301 Roman Imperialism in Comparative Perspective

In this seminar, students learn details about the history and administrative structure of the Roman empire through examination of case studies. The course focuses on understanding the nature and scope of Roman imperialism by comparing it to other empires. Students engage in independent research and complete a term paper.

CLAS 341 Early Political Thought: Justice, Virtue, Democracy

This course examines political theories from the remote past and invites students to consider their influence in the present. Greek theorists such as Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle are read as examples of pre-modern thought. This course strikes a balance between understanding these works within their historical context and applying their ideas to circumstances beyond the authors' imagining.

CLAS 373 Topics in Greek and Roman Culture

See description for CLAS 273.

CLAS 389 Collaborative Research

This course enables a student to participate in a collaborative research experience on some aspect of the ancient world. Students enrolling in this course meet approximately once per week with the members of a regularly-scheduled course in Latin or ancient Greek, which determines the topic of the research experience. Students also meet separately with the instructor to pursue structured independent work related to the topic. No experience in Latin or ancient Greek is required. To determine the topic, consult the schedule to identify which LAT or GRK course meets concurrently with this one; contact the instructor to learn more and for permission to enroll.

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.

GRK 101 , GRK 102, GRK 103 Elementary Ancient Greek

The first two terms concentrate on grammar; the third term provides an introduction to classical Ancient Greek poetry and prose.

GRK 211 , GRK 311 Greek Historians

Selections from authors such as Herodotus, Thucydides, and Xenophon are read in Greek.

GRK 212 , GRK 312 Greek Epic Poetry

Selections from Homer's Odyssey and/or Iliad are read in Greek.

GRK 213 , GRK 313 Greek Comedy

A comedy of Aristophanes or Menander is read in Greek.

GRK 214 , GRK 314 Greek Philosophy

Selections from authors such as Plato, Xenophon, and Aristotle are read in Greek.

GRK 215 , GRK 315 Greek Rhetoric and Oratory

Selections from authors such as Lysias and Demosthenes are read in Greek.

GRK 216 , GRK 316 Greek Tragedy

Works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripedes are read in Greek.

GRK 217 , GRK 317 Greek Novel

Works of Greek novels such as Longus' Daphnis and Chloe are read in Greek.

GRK 218 , GRK 318 Greek Lyric Poetry

Selections from Greek lyric poets (Sappho, Archilochus and others) are read in Greek.

GRK 220 Reading Greek 1/2 or 1

Through sight reading of a Greek prose text and periodic grammar review, this course is designed to strengthen reading skills.

GRK 270 , GRK 370 Topics in Greek Literature

Topics will vary from year to year, focusing on a particular text or theme in Greek literature. Example: Greek Hellenistic Poetry.

LAT 101 , LAT 102, LAT 103 Elementary Latin

The first two terms concentrate on grammar; the third term provides an introduction to classical Latin poetry and prose.

LAT 211 , LAT 311 Roman Historians

Selections from authors such as Caesar, Livy, and Tacitus are read in Latin.

LAT 212 , LAT 312 Latin Epic Poetry

Selections from works such as Virgil's Aeneid are read in Latin.

LAT 213 , LAT 313 Roman Comedy

Selected plays of Plautus or Terence are read in Latin.

LAT 214 , LAT 314 Roman Philosophy

Selections from Cicero's or Seneca's philosophical works or Lucretius' De Rerum Natura, are read in Latin.

LAT 215 , LAT 315 Roman Rhetoric and Oratory

Selections from Cicero's speeches and/or his works on rhetoric are read in Latin.

LAT 216 , LAT 316 Roman Tragedy 1/2 or 1

A tragedy of Seneca is read in Latin.

LAT 217 , LAT 317 Roman Novel

Selections from works such as Petronius' Satyricon and/or Apuleius' Golden Ass are read in Latin.

LAT 218 , LAT 318 Roman Lyric and Elegiac Poetry

Selections from Catullus, Horace, Propertius, and Ovid are read in Latin.

LAT 270 , LAT 370 Topics in Latin Literature 1/2 or 1

Topics will vary from year to year, focusing on a particular text or theme in Latin literature. Examples: Myth in Ovid; Horace and Rome; Roman Satire.