The Department of Classical Studies believes that the literature, monuments, and social institutions of the ancient world, together with the reflections of the Greek and Roman thinkers about their own cultures, are of unique value in themselves, well worth our contemplation and understanding; and that as we attempt to learn about and appreciate classical civilization, we necessarily learn as well a variety of contemporary methodologies and disciplines.
The department offers three groups of courses for distribution, those in Classical Civilization (introductory courses that require no knowledge of Greek or Latin), courses in Classical Archaeology, and upper-level language courses in Greek and Latin authors or genres. While only a few courses are repeated in yearly or biennial rotation, most courses are offered less regularly. This system guarantees that the instructor approaches the subject each time with fresh impetus. We believe in a healthy change and variation in our course offerings.
Classical Civilization offerings include the general surveys of Greek and Roman civilizations (CC 101 and 102), which provide (through readings, lectures, and discussions) a broad understanding of the literatures, thought, and social development of ancient Greece and Rome, and thus provide the student with knowledge of and appreciation for our cultural origins, as well as an acquaintance with modern methods for understanding an ancient culture. These courses are taught each year. CC 101 is offered in the Fall and CC 102 is offered in the Winter. Other courses provide understanding of particular aspects of the ancient world, approached from a variety of disciplines and studies - literary, philosophical, historical, sociological, and so on. Some students (particularly those who have already developed special interests in such disciplines) may wish to explore one of these topics without having had a broader introduction.
Classical Archaeology offerings include the broad surveys of the archaeology and monuments of Greece (Cl.Arch 221 - offered in the Fall) and Rome (Cl.Arch 222 - offered in the Winter) and a general introduction to archaeological field methods (Cl.Arch 323). Other courses use the material remains of specific cultures both to introduce students to the diversity of the ancient world and to demonstrate how, through a variety of multi-disciplinary approaches, the archaeological record can be used to reconstruct the life-ways of past societies.
Courses in this division do not require a knowledge of Greek or Latin. They are intended for students who wish to acquire knowledge of ancient literature, life, and thought, and of the debt modern civilization owes the Greeks and Romans.
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101. Classical Civilization I: The Ancient
Greek World (in English). No credit granted to those who have completed
or are enrolled in Great Books 191 or 201. (4). (HU).
This course serves as an introduction to the civilization of ancient Greece
from its beginnings to the fourth century BCE. All reading is in English
translation. Lectures will trace the development of Greek literature and
thought within the context of Greek society, with emphasis on gender relations
and the crisis in traditional values during the late fifth century. Literature
read includes Homer's Iliad and Odyssey; selected lyric poetry;
selected tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides; selected comedies
of Aristophanes; selections from the historians Herodotus and Thucydides;
and philosophical writings of Plato. The readings average about 90 pages
per week. There will be a midterm, two brief papers, and a final examination.
Freshmen Honors students in Honors sections will write enough to meet the
Introductory Composition requirement. Cost: 3 WL: 1 (Rappe)
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120. First-year Seminar in Classical
Civilization (Humanities). Only first-year students, including those
with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others
need permission of instructor. (3). (HU).
Section 001 - Our English Vocabulary:
Historic and Current Origins and Development. Why have the Greek and
Latin languages had such an impact on English vocabulary? How have other
languages influenced the development of English vocabulary? What are the
origins of, and the reasons for, the thousands of new words that appear
in English each year? This course will address these and similar vocabulary-related
questions raised by students interested in the words they meet and use.
(G. Knudsvig)
Section 002 - The Seven Wonders of
the Ancient World. "Everyone has heard of the Seven Wonders of
the World," wrote Philo of Byzantium two millennia ago, and it's still
true today. But what is a "wonder," and why seven of them? Why
make such a list, anyway, and what would a modern equivalent look like?
This seminar reads ancient authors and examines modern archaeological investigations
of these ancient wonders, exploring not only the Near Eastern and Greek
cultures that produced them but, more generally, how members of one culture
view other cultures. The goal will be to learn about some of the most famous
monuments of the past, and in doing so to gain a better understanding of
archaeological methods, the interpretation of archaeological evidence, and
the evaluation of ancient written sources. Classes will include illustrated
lectures, discussions, videos, and short student presentations. There will
be several fact-oriented tests spread throughout the term, but the main
emphasis will be on thinking critically (presentations and discussion in
class) and writing clearly (short papers). Cost:2
WL:1 (J.F. Cherry)
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Times, Location, and Availability