The College Catalogue

Archaeology

Archaeology 101 and 102 are offered in alternate years.

101 {1101} c. Introduction to Greek Art and Archaeology. Fall 2013. James Higginbotham.

Introduces the techniques and methods of classical archaeology as revealed through an examination of Greek material culture. Emphasis upon the major monuments and artifacts of the Greek world from prehistory to the Hellenistic age. Architecture, sculpture, fresco painting, and other “minor arts” are examined at such sites as Knossos, Mycenae, Athens, Delphi, and Olympia. Considers the nature of this archaeological evidence and the relationship of classical archaeology to other disciplines such as art history, history, and classics. Assigned reading supplements illustrated presentations of the major archaeological finds of the Greek world. (Same as Art History 209 {2090}.)

102 {1102} c. Introduction to Roman Archaeology. Fall 2012. Ryan Ricciardi.

Surveys the material culture of Roman society, from Italy’s prehistory and the origins of the Roman state through its development into a cosmopolitan empire, and concludes with the fundamental reorganization during the late third and early fourth centuries of our era. Lectures explore ancient sites such as Rome, Pompeii, Athens, Ephesus, and others around the Mediterranean. Emphasis upon the major monuments and artifacts of the Roman era: architecture, sculpture, fresco painting, and other “minor arts.” Considers the nature of this archaeological evidence and the relationship of classical archaeology to other disciplines such as art history, history, and classics. Assigned reading supplements illustrated presentations of the major archaeological finds of the Roman world. (Same as Art History 210 {2100}.)

[103 {1103} c. Egyptian Archaeology.]

[202 {2202} c - ESD, IP. Augustan Rome. (Same as Classics 202 {2202}.)]

[210 {2210} c. Sport and Athletics in the Greco-Roman World. (Same as Classics 216 {2216}.)]

At least one 300-level archaeology course is offered each year. Topics and/or periods recently taught on this level include the Greek Bronze Age, Etruscan art and archaeology, Greek and Roman numismatics, and Pompeii and the cities of Vesuvius. The 300-level courses currently scheduled are:

[306 {3306} c. Archaeology of the Greek Hero.]

[308 {3308} c. The Fall of Rome?]

309 {3309} c. Before Homer: Mycenaean Greek Society. Spring 2013. Cynthia Shelmerdine.

Mycenaean Greece (1600–1200 B.C.) provides the inspiration for many Greek myths and for the Homeric epics. Looks at the realities behind those stories. Mycenaean palaces, tombs, and a few town sites have been excavated. We also have administrative records from the palaces that shed light on Mycenaean religion, economy, and society. By putting together the archaeological and textual evidence we can begin to understand this earliest period of Greek history. Offers a good understanding of what we know about Mycenaean Greece, as well as the nature of the evidence and some problems in using it. Also compares real Mycenaean history with the mythological versions. Student research projects can be tailored to individual interest and background. Research seminar.

Prerequisite: One previous course in archaeology; or Classics 101, 102, or 211; or permission of the instructor.

Classics

First-Year Seminars

For a full description of first-year seminars, see the First-Year Seminar section.

[12 {1012} c. Discovering Homer.]

[18 {1018} c. Cleopatra: Versions and Visions.]

19 {1019} c. Ancient Democracy and Its Critics. Fall 2012. Robert Sobak.

Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Courses

Classics 101 and 102 are offered in alternate years.

101 {1101} c - ESD, IP. Classical Mythology. Spring 2014. The Department.

Focuses on the mythology of the Greeks and the use of myth in classical literature. Other topics considered are recurrent patterns and motifs in Greek myths; a cross-cultural study of ancient creation myths; the relation of mythology to religion; women’s roles in myth; and the application of modern anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories to classical myth. Concludes with an examination of Ovid’s use of classical mythology in the Metamorphoses.

102 {1102} c - ESD, IP. Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture. Spring 2013. Cassandra Borges.

Introduces students to the study of the literature and culture of ancient Greece. Examines different Greek responses to issues such as religion and the role of gods in human existence, heroism, the natural world, the individual and society, and competition. Considers forms of Greek rationalism, the flourishing of various literary and artistic media, Greek experimentation with different political systems, and concepts of Hellenism and barbarism. Investigates not only what we do and do not know about ancient Greece, but also the types of evidence and methodologies with which we construct this knowledge. Evidence is drawn primarily from the works of authors such as Homer, Sappho, Herodotus, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Thucydides, Aristophanes, Plato, and Hippocrates, but attention is also given to documentary and artistic sources. All readings are done in translation.

[202 {2202} c - ESD, IP. Augustan Rome. (Same as Archaeology 202 {2202}.)]

[211 {2211} c - ESD. History of Ancient Greece: Bronze Age to the Death of Alexander. (Same as History 201 {2001}.)]

212 {2212} c. Ancient Rome. Fall 2012. Robert Sobak.

Surveys the history of Rome from its beginnings to the fourth century A.D. Considers the political, economic, religious, social, and cultural developments of the Romans in the context of Rome’s growth from a small settlement in central Italy to the dominant power in the Mediterranean world. Special attention is given to such topics as urbanism, imperialism, the influence of Greek culture and law, and multiculturalism. Introduces different types of sources—literary, epigraphical, archaeological, etc.—for use as historical documents. (Same as History 202 {2002}.)

Note: This course fulfills the pre-modern requirement for history majors.

[213 {2213} c. War and Society in the Ancient Greek World. (Same as History 206 {2007}.)]

214 {2214} c - IP. The Republic of Rome and the Evolution of Executive Power. Spring 2013. Michael Nerdahl.

Examines in depth the approaches to leadership within the governmental system that enabled a small, Italian city-state to take eventual control of the Mediterranean world, and how this state was affected by its unprecedented military, economic, and territorial growth. Investigates and re-imagines the political maneuverings of the most famous pre-Imperial Romans, such as Scipio Africanus, the Gracchi, and Cicero, and how political institutions such as the Roman Senate and assemblies reacted to and dealt with military, economic, and revolutionary crises. Looks at the relationship of the Roman state to class warfare, the nature of electoral politics, and the power of precedent and tradition. While examining if the ultimate fall precipitated by Caesar’s ambition and vision was inevitable, we will also discover what lessons, if any, modern politicians can learn about statesmanship from the transformation of the hyper-competitive atmosphere of the Republic into the monarchical principate of Augustus. All sources, such as Livy’s history of Rome, Plutarch’s Lives, letters and speeches of Cicero, and Caesar’s Civil War, are in English, and no prior knowledge of Roman antiquity is required. (Same as History 267 {2008}.)

Note: This course fulfills the pre-modern requirement for history majors.

[216 {2216} c. Sport and Athletics in the Greco-Roman World. (Same as Archaeology 210 {2210}.)]

[225 {2225} c. Immorality and Political Revolution in Ancient Rome.]

232 {2232} c - ESD. Ancient Greek Theater. Spring 2013. Jennifer Clarke Kosak.

Examines the development and character of tragedy and comedy in ancient Greece. Topics include the dramatic festivals of Athens, the nature of Greek theaters and theatrical production; the structure and style of tragic and comic plays; tragic and comic heroism; gender, religion and myth in drama; the relationship of tragedy and comedy to the political and social dynamics of ancient Athens. Some attention will be paid to the theory of tragedy and to the legacy of Greek drama. Authors include Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. Includes a performance component.

[309 {3309} c - IP. Ancient Epic: Tradition, Authority, and Intertextuality.]

312 {3312} c. Ancient Greek Medicine. Fall 2012. Jennifer Clarke Kosak.

Research seminar. Explores the development of scientific thinking in the ancient Greek world by examining the history of Greek medicine. Topics include the development of Greek rationalist thought; concepts of health and disease; notions of the human body, both male and female; the physician’s skills (diagnosis, prognosis, remedy); similarities and differences between religious and scientific views of disease; concepts of evidence, proof, and experiment; Greek medical thinking in the Roman world. Prerequisite: One 100- or 200-level course in archaeology, classics, or Greek, or permission of the instructor.

Greek

101 {1101} c. Elementary Greek I. Spring 2013. Jennifer Clarke Kosak.

Introduces students to basic elements of ancient Greek grammar and syntax; emphasizes the development of reading proficiency and includes readings, both adapted and in the original, of various Greek authors. Focuses on Attic dialect.

102 {1102} c. Elementary Greek II. Fall 2012. Barbara Weiden Boyd.

A continuation of Greek 101; introduces students to more complex grammar and syntax, while emphasizing the development of reading proficiency. Includes readings, both adapted and in the original, of Greek authors such as Plato and Euripides. Focuses on Attic dialect.

203 {2203} c. Intermediate Greek for Reading. Every spring. Spring 2013. Robert Sobak.

A review of the essentials of Greek grammar and syntax and an introduction to the reading of Greek prose through the study of one of Plato’s dialogues. Equivalent of Greek 102 or two to three years of high school Greek is required.

204 {2204} c - IP. Homer. Fall 2012. Jennifer Clarke Kosak.

An introduction to the poetry of Homer. Focuses both on reading and on interpreting Homeric epic.

At least one advanced Greek course is offered each year. The aim of each of these courses is to give students the opportunity for sustained reading and discussion of at least one major author or genre representative of classical Greek literature. Primary focus is on the texts, with serious attention given as well both to the historical context from which these works emerged and to contemporary discussions and debates concerning these works.

Department faculty generally attempt to schedule offerings in response to the needs and interests of concentrators. Topics and/or authors frequently taught on this level include Greek lyric and elegiac poetry; Homer’s Odyssey; Greek drama (including the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and the comedies of Aristophanes and Menander); Greek history (including Herodotus and Thucydides); Greek philosophy (including Plato and Aristotle); Greek rhetoric and oratory; and the literature of the Alexandrian era.

303 {3303} c. The Historians. Spring 2013. Robert B. Sobak.

Focuses on the histories of Herodotus or Thucydides. Course may be repeated for credit if the contents change. Research seminar.

[305 {3305} c. Tragedy.]

Latin

101 {1101} c. Elementary Latin I. Every fall. Fall 2012. Michael Nerdahl and Ryan Ricciardi.

A thorough presentation of the elements of Latin grammar. Emphasis is placed on achieving a reading proficiency.

102 {1102} c. Elementary Latin II. Every spring. Spring 2013. Michael Nerdahl.

A continuation of Latin 101. During this term, readings are based on unaltered passages of classical Latin.

203 {2203} c. Intermediate Latin for Reading. Every fall. Fall 2012. Cassandra Borges.

A review of the essentials of Latin grammar and syntax and an introduction to the reading of Latin prose and poetry. Materials to be read change from year to year, but always include a major prose work. Equivalent of Latin 102 or two to three years of high school Latin is required.

204 {2204} c - IP. Studies in Latin Literature. Every spring. Spring 2013. Barbara Weiden Boyd.

An introduction to different genres and themes in Latin literature. The subject matter and authors covered may change from year to year (e.g., selections from Virgil’s Aeneid and Livy’s History, or from Lucretius, Ovid, and Cicero), but attention is always given to the historical and literary context of the authors read. While the primary focus is on reading Latin texts, some readings from Latin literature in translation are also assigned. Equivalent of Latin 203 or three to four years of high school Latin is required.

One advanced Latin course is offered each semester. The aim of each of these courses is to give students the opportunity for sustained reading and discussion of at least one major author or genre representative of classical Latin literature. Primary focus is on the texts, with serious attention given as well both to the historical context from which these works emerged and to contemporary discussions and debates concerning these works.

Department faculty generally attempt to schedule offerings in response to the needs and interests of concentrators. Topics and/or authors frequently taught on this level include Roman history (including Sallust, Livy, and Tacitus); Ovid’s Metamorphoses; Elegiac poetry; Cicero’s oratory; Virgil’s Aeneid or Eclogues and Georgics; Roman novel (including Petronius and Apuleius); satire; and comedy (including Plautus and Terence). The 300-level courses currently scheduled are:

301 {3301} c - IP. Livy. Fall 2012. Barbara Weiden Boyd.

Historian Titus Livius (Livy, c. 59 B.C.E.–17 C.E.) is our single most important source for the history of Rome from its beginnings until the age of Augustus. His prose history in 142 books (of which approximately thirty-five survive) provides rich insight into Rome’s creation of its identity as a world empire, as well as detailed analysis of the personalities, events, and social and political changes that shaped the ancient Mediterranean world. Focuses on the close reading of one book of Livy’s historical narrative and develops a working definition of ancient historiography through readings of modern studies of Livy’s work. Research seminar.

[302 {3302} c. Ovid’s Metamorphoses.]

[307 {3307} c - IP. Young Virgil.]

[312 {3312} c - IP. Roman Tragedy.]

[314 {3314} c. Roman Biography.]

315 {3315} c - IP. The Swerve: Lucretius’s De rerum natura. Spring 2013. Barbara Weiden Boyd.

T. Lucretius Carus (c. 94–55 B.C.E.) is the author of a poem “on the nature of things,” composed in six books of didactic-epic hexameters. A student of Epicurean philosophy, Lucretius adapts both the beliefs and proto-scientific discoveries of one of classical antiquity’s most influential intellectual traditions to Latin poetry; his poem proves a model both for subsequent classical poets and for the rationalist movements of the Renaissance. In this research seminar, we read major selections from the poem in Latin, and the entire work in English, and consider recent scholarly approaches to Lucretius’s work; several weeks at the end of the semester devoted to Lucretius’s post-classical influence and reception. Research seminar.

Independent Study in Archaeology, Classics, Greek, and Latin

291–294 {2970–2973} c. Intermediate Independent Study. The Department.

299 {2999} c. Intermediate Collaborative Study. The Department.

401–404 {4000–4003} c. Advanced Independent Study and Honors. The Department.

405 {4029} c. Advanced Collaborative Study. The Department.