Classics

Classics Courses in English

(No Greek or Latin Required)

Clsx 121. Greek and Latin Roots in English. 3 cr.

A study of Greek and Latin roots to facilitate the comprehension of English.

Clsx 122. Etymology of Scientific Terms. 3 cr.

Introduction to Greek and Latin elements of scientific terminology.

Clsx 210. Caput Mundi: Rome Center Divine World.  3 cr.

An overview of the cultural history of Rome from c. 400 BC to AD 590. This course uses the city of Rome with its abundance of archaeological sites and museums to provide a comprehensive overview of the Roman world, its history, culture and society. By integrating the monuments and art of each period, it becomes possible to recreate a fuller vision of the ancient city of Rome as the physical embodiment of Rome’s concepts of cultural and social identity, as well as the impact of classical conceptions on modern conceptions and ideas.

Clsx 223. Classical Mythology. 3 cr.

A study of the  major myths of Greece and Rome with attention to contemporary interpretations and the influence on art and literature.

Clsx 230. Ancient Theatre.  3 cr.

An examination of the origins and development of ancient tragedy and comedy.

Clsx 231. Ancient Epic. 3 cr.

A study of ancient epic literature with particular attention to the techniques of oral and literary composition.

Clsx 232. Contemporary Literature and Classics. 3 cr.

An investigation of the influence of ancient myth on 20th century French, German, Italian, English and American literature.

Clsx 233. Ancient Satire. 3 cr.

Investigation of the satirical element with reference to the writings of Lucian, Lucilius, Horace, Persius, Martial, and Juvenal.

Clsx 234. Wom, Sickness and Sanctity in the Middle Ages. 3 cr.

Students will explore through texts written by and about medieval women the complicated relationship between sanctity, sin, and illness in the Late-Middle Ages.

Clsx 235. Love and Violence in Roman Poetry. 3 cr.

This course will introduce students to representations of love and violence in the elegiac, didactic, epistolary, and epic poetry of the Augustan poet Ovid. The complicated representations of women as both objects and agents of erotic desire and aggression have lead readers to label Ovid a misogynist as well as a proto-feminist. Through close readings and discussions of his texts, students will be encouraged to explore issues of sex and gender in the Augustan Age, according to Ovid, and as translated into his poetry. Students will also work to analyze Ovid's poetry on its own terms, giving attention to the relationship between genre and content. 

Clsx 236. Greek, Roman and Medieval Mothers. 3 cr.

An exploration of the representation of mothers, motherhood, and the maternal body in medical, mythological, and religious literature from ancient Greece to the High Middle Ages.

Clsx 242. Ancient Law. 3 cr.

A survey including the contributions of the Greeks and of the Romans to the development of law.

Clsx 244. History of Ancient Medicine. 3 cr.

Examination of the medical theories and practices in the period from the Egyptian temple physicians to the doctors of the Roman Empire. Special attention is given to Hippocrates and Galen.

Clsx 245. Greek History. 3 cr.

Greek history and culture from earliest times up to the death of Alexander of Macedon.

Clsx 246. Hellenistic History. 3 cr.

Mediterranean history from the death of Alexander until the accession of Octavian and the establishment of the Roman Principate.

Clsx 247. History of the Roman Principate. 3 cr.

The consolidation of the Roman imperial structure from Augustus to the death of Commodus.

Clsx 248. History of the Late Roman Empire. 3 cr.

Roman history from the accession of Severus to the death of Justinian.

Clsx 249. Egyptian Civilization. 3 cr.

A survey of Egyptian history and culture from the  pre-dynastic period to the establishment of Roman rule in Egypt. Special attention will be given to the artistic, literary, and religious achievements of Egypt.

Clsx 250. The Rise of Constantine and Christianity. 3 cr.

This course will trace the development of Christianity from its unique origins in the Roman province of Judea and note the reasons for its growth throughout the entire empire. Students will examine why Christianity appealed to various ancient peoples, why traditional Roman religion had ceased to appeal and how Constantine advanced his political regime along with his personal belief in Christianity. With this information, students will be able to understand the Catholic Church and the reason for its location in Rome as well as to review the Christianity of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Clsx 260. Classical Tradition in Literature. 3 cr.

A study of the influences of Graeco-Roman civilization on later cultural life through the 19th century.

Clsx 300. Seminar. 3 cr.

Topics variable.

Clsx 303W. Seminar: Women in Antiquity. 3 cr.

This course explores the reality of women’s lives in antiquity, as well as the complexity of male/female interaction, particularly in 5th century BC Greece and the early Roman empire.

Clsx 314. Introduction to Archaeology. 3 cr.

An overview of the discipline of archaeology. We will consider the discipline's aims, history, theories, and methods, and will devote special attention to its modern practice, problems, ethical concerns, and significance. Also important will be the study of a wide range of archaeological sites throughout the world.

Clsx 315. Archaeological History of the Ancient Greek World. 3 cr.

A survey of the archaeology of Greece from prehistory to the Roman period.

Clsx 316. Archaeological History of Athens. 3 cr.

An investigation into the topography and monuments of Athens and Attica, from the prehistoric to the Roman period.

Clsx 317. Archaeological History of the Ancient Roman World. 3 cr.

A survey of the archaeology of Italy from prehistory to the middle fourth century A.D.

Clsx 318. Archaeological History of Rome. 3 cr.

An investigation of the topography and monuments of Rome from prehistory through Constantine.

Clsx 319. Archaeological History: Seminar. 3 cr.

Possible topics include the Bronze Age Aegean, the development of Vase Paintings, the Etruscans, the Ara Pacis, etc.

Clsx 321. Art, Architecture, and Archaeology of the Augustan Period. 3 cr.

An examination of  the Augustan period in the light of its material culture focusing on the art and architecture produced under Augustus in Rome.

Clsx 322: Literature in the Augustan Period. 3 cr.

A reading –in English– of a sampling of the works of Vergil, Horace, Propertius, and Ovid as well as Livy’s histories, focusing on Vergil’s Aeneid, — all literature which would glorify Rome and its beginnings as well as the first emperor’s own lineage.