Courses

Courses

Spring 2008

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Archaeology

207. Who Owns the Past? The Roles of Museums in Preserving and Presenting Culture
James Higginbotham M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Examines the storied place of museums in the acquisition, preservation, and display of cultural heritage. The past practices of museums are studied with an eye to how they inform present policies. Aims to examine museums’ responses when confronting national and ethnic claims to items in museums’ permanent collections; the ethical choices involved in deciding what should be exhibited; the impact of politics, conflicts, and war on museum practices; and the alliances between museums, archaeologists, art historians, and anthropologists. Students benefit from conversations with a number of Bowdoin faculty and staff, as well as a series of guest speakers from other organizations. Selected readings and class discussion are augmented by visits to the College’s two museums and other local museums.

302. Ancient Numismatics
James Higginbotham T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Surveys Greek and Roman coinage by examining a series of problems ranging chronologically from the origins of coinage in the seventh century B.C. to the late Roman Empire. How do uses of coinage in Greek and Roman society differ from those of the modern era? How does numismatic evidence inform us about ancient political and social, as well as economic, history? One class each week is held in the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, and course assignments are based on coins in the collection.

Classics

101. Classical Mythology
Barbara Boyd T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
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.

211. History of Ancient Greece: Bronze Age to the Death of Alexander
Robert Sobak M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Surveys the history of Greek-speaking peoples from the Bronze Age (c. 3000–1100 B.C.E.) to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E. Traces the political, economic, social, religious, and cultural developments of the Greeks in the broader context of the Mediterranean world. Topics include the institution of the polis (city-state); hoplite warfare; Greek colonization; the origins of Greek “science,” philosophy, and rhetoric; and fifth-century Athenian democracy and imperialism. Necessarily focuses on Athens and Sparta, but attention is also given to the variety of social and political structures found in different Greek communities. Special attention is given to examining and attempting to understand the distinctively Greek outlook in regard to gender, the relationship between human and divine, freedom, and the divisions between Greeks and barbarians (non-Greeks). A variety of sources—literary, epigraphical, archaeological—are presented, and students learn how to use them as historical documents.

Greek

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101. Elementary Greek
Jennifer Kosak M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
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. Offered in Spring 2008 concurrently with Greek 102 as an intensive introduction to the language. Greek 101 and Greek 102 must be taken together in order to receive course credit for each of them

102. Elementary Greek II
Jennifer Kosak T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
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. Offered in Spring 2008 concurrently with Greek 101 as an intensive introduction to the language. Greek 101 and Greek 102 must be taken together in order to receive course credit for each of them.

204. Homer
Robert Sobak M 8:30 - 9:25, W 8:30 - 9:25, F 8:30 - 9:25

391. SPECIAL TOPICS IN GREEK
Jennifer Kosak

Latin

102. Elementary Latin II
Robert Sobak M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
A continuation of Latin 101. During this term, readings are based on unaltered passages of classical Latin.

204. Studies in Latin Literature
James Higginbotham T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
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.

305. Virgil
Barbara Boyd T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55

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