COURSE ATLAS FALL 2009

CCLASSICS

CL 102: Classical Mythology

Content: This course introduces students to some basic myths (about Creation, the establishment of divine and social order, the foundation and history of certain cities, etc.) embodied in selected texts from Archaic and Classical Greece, and Augustan Rome. Through analysis of these texts in lectures, discussion and regular writing assignments, students confront cherished notions about myth, particularly that there was ever a canonical version of a given tale. They learn, rather, that tales were constantly adapted to reflect the concerns of different times and perspectives, as well as the conventions of different literary genres. Because of its privileged position in public discourse, myth drew intense criticism early on. Students examine, and comment on attacks on myth by such ancient critics as Xenophanes and Plato, as well as its equally determined defence by ancient allegorical, historicizing, and anthropological interpreters. In addition, students read and consider modern interpretive approaches to myth (e.g. Feminist, Structuralist, Psycho-analytical, Myth and Ritual).


Texts: Hesiod, Theogony and Works and Days The Iliad, Homeric Hymns Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound Sophocles,Oedipus The King, Euripides, Bacchae, Heracles, and Cyclops, Ovid, Metamorphoses, Selected Readings in Handouts


Assessment: TBA

Pre-Requisites: TBA

Note: Section size will be increased to 25 students for freshman registration. During the subsequent add-drop-swap period upperclassmen may enroll in open spaces or may ask the section instructor to overload into the course.

CL 190 (Freshman Seminar): Looking at Other People: Ancient Ethnography

Content: In one of the first works of classical literature Odysseus describes strange one-eyed monsters in a far off place who reject assemblies, agriculture, and most other hallmarks of civilization.  Following Homer’s lead, ancient authors consistently show an interest in describing previously “undiscovered” peoples who live beyond the world of the polis or empire.  This course will examine how and why authors represent these “others.”  Do the ancients display a real interest in foreign peoples?  Or are ethnographies simply a way to mirror issues relevant to the civilizations of Greece and Rome?  We will pay particular attention to three themes: description of the other with reference to self; hard primitivism – the location of moral virtue at a distance from civilization; and imperialism and ethnography.  In addition to reading such ancient authors as Herodotus, Aeschylus, and Julius Caesar, we will watch the recent film, 300. Lastly, in the final week we will read selections from Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari and explore how similar and dissimilar his account of traveling through Egypt is to the ancient tradition.


Texts: Aeschylus, The Persians Julius Caesar, The Gallic Wars Herodotus, The Histories Homer, The Odyssey Sallust, The Jugurthine War Zach Snyder, The 300 Tacitus, The Germania, Agricola, Annals, and Histories
Paul Theroux, Dark Star Safari
Assessment: Midterm and Final Four written assignments

Pre-Requisites: None

CL 215: Greek and Roman Religion
Same As REL 215-000 and ANT-385-006

Content: The ancient world was full of gods, from deified ancestors to condescending Olympians: the task of human society was to create productive working relationships with the beings who determined their success, defined their boundaries, and shaped the civic landscape.  This course begins in the prehistoric periods and concludes with the onset of Christianity in Rome; our tools for the investigation are archaeology, ancient texts, and comparative ethnographic evidence.  Ritual types include magic, mystery cults, divination, funerary rites, family cult, civic festivals, and how a man might become a god: along the way, we will examine the relationship between religion, political power, economics, and the landscape.  Evaluations include two midterms, one paper, and a final exam.   

Texts: Required texts:  Mikalson, Ancient Greek Religion Rice and Stambaugh, Sources for the Study of Greek Religion
Warrior, Roman Religion: A Sourcebook Scheid, An Introduction to Roman Religion

Optional: Burkert, Greek Religion Beard, North and Price, Religions of Rome: vol. 1 and 2 A Blackboard site has been established for the course

Assessment: TBA

Pre-Requisites: Classical mythology, or consent of instructor

CL 222 Art and Architec of Ancient Rome
Same As ARTHIST 222

Content: Through the monuments and topography of ancient Rome we can trace the development of a world capital from a small cluster of houses on a hilltop into the artistic and political heart of the ancient Mediterranean world. The art and architecture have been studied for centuries and continue to be important because of their influences on subsequent generations of artists. This course is centered around a survey of Roman art from its early Italica origins through the Republican, Imperial, and Early Christian periods. At a basic level students will become acquainted with a variety of arts including, but not limited to, portraits, paintings, historical reliefs, gems, coins, triumphal arches, imperial fora, commemorative columns, and sarcophagi. In addition, we will study works of architecture both singly and as complexes paying particular attention to programs of design including both the structures themselves and the furnishings which would have completed them. On a more complex level we will consider themes such as portraiture as a political tool; the use of art to create a national identity and history; patronage; gender; social status; and power. Important recent developments including recent archaeological discoveries, techniques for recreating lost monuments, and the use of technology to aid our analysis of ancient art will also be covered. Finally, an integral part of this course will be placing these works of art and architecture into a social and historical context which will be aided by readings of ancient authors in translation. Students should come away from this course with a specific knowledge of important monuments and with a general sense of the ancient Roman Empire and its political and social history.

Texts: TBA

Assessment: At least one, 1-2 page critical synopsis; two midterm examinations; final paper/project; final examination. Other small written assignments, projects, or quizzes may be added as needed. Failure to complete any of the assignments will result in a failing grade for the course.

Pre-Requisites: None

CL 329SWR: Roman Narrative Literature

Content: This course will read several famous and compelling Latin narratives with a view to appreciating their formal, structural, and thematic features, as well as their function, in some cases, as sources for New Testament narratives. Texts to be considered will range widely in genre and time period (from Republican and Imperial Rome to Early Christian) and will include a selection of those listed below.


Texts: Caesar Civil Wars, Vergil Aeneid,Ovid Metamorphoses, Lucan Civil War, Petronius Satyrica, Apuleius The Golden Ass, St. Augustine Confessions Anonymous, History of Apollonius King of Tyre, Book of Acts Gospel of Mark.


Assessment: Three 7-8 page (not counting bibliography) papers (with required revisions). Weekly one-page assignments; class presentations (on both the primary and secondary texts). Individual conferences on drafts and revsisons.

Pre-Requisites: At least one course in Classical Studies or Classics or by permission

CL 329 Same As ARTHIST 329: Ancient Greek Sanctuaries

Content: A large part of ancient Greek life was framed within a sacred context, but the gods were most emphatically honored and worshiped within sanctuaries, specially designated spaces dedicated to a particular god or gods.   In this course we will examine the sacred spaces of ancient Greece, with particular emphasis on the early emergence of cult sites, on the diverse ritual practices and sacred festivals associated with different divinities, on the range and importance of votive dedications as religious offerings as well as works of art, and on the development of monumental architecture to meet the needs of ancient Greek worship.  Our investigation will include the great Panhellenic sanctuaries at Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia, and Nemea, civic sanctuaries such as the sanctuary of Athena on the Akropolis in Athens, the Asiatic sanctuaries of Ephesos, Samos, and Didyma, the mystery cults of Demeter at Eleusis and the Great Gods on Samothrace, with the aim of exploring the role of Greek sanctuaries in the religious, social, and artistic culture of ancient Greece.

Texts: TBA

Assessment: One quiz, two exams, and a research paper.  Grading based on written work and class participation.

Pre-Requisites: None

CL 495R: Honors

Content:
Independent study under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.

CL 498R: Supervised Reading

Content:
Independent study under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.

CL 597R: Directed Reading

Content:
This course is open to graduate students pursuing independent work under faculty direction.  Students must make arrangements with a faculty member prior to registration.

GREEK

Content: An introduction of the basic grammar and syntax of classical Greek with emphasis on the acquisition of reading knowledge.  Beginning with the alphabet, the course aims to enable students to read adapted selections from major authors such as the philosopher Plato and the poets of comedy and tragedy.

Texts: JACT, Reading Greek (Cambridge), 2 vols.

Assessment: quizzes, tests, final exam; homework and class participation

Pre-Requisites: None

Content: An intense introduction to the fundamentals of classical Greek grammar and syntax. Students will attain as rapidly as possible the ability to read and interpret ancient works in Attic Greek

Texts: Hansen & Quinn, An Intensive Course

Assessment: TBA

Pre-Requisites: TBA

GRK 201: Intermediate Greek: Prose (Herodotus)

Content: Herodotus - the father of Greek history, tireless traveler, irrepressible storyteller, and first ethnographer – is our author for this course. We will focus on the continued refinement of skills in reading Greek, while at the same time meeting one of the most engaging prose authors from the fifth century BCE.   

Texts: Barbour, Selections from Herodotus

Assessment: quizzes, 2 midterms, final exam, term paper

Pre-Requisites: Greek 101-102 or consent of instructor

GRK 370: Greek Literature: Lucian

Content: Lucian’s Satires:  Lucian invented the forms of European satire, the satire dialogue and narrative (as well as the fantastical tale).  We will read several satires in English and one in Greek, the hilarious Philosophers for Sale!, in which the founding fathers of Greek philosophy are auctioned off as slaves.  For background to Lucian’s satiric treatment we will read in English the more traditional treatment in Diogenes Laertius’ Lives and Opinions of Famous Philosophers.

Texts: Loeb Classical Library Volumes 1-4 of Lucian, Oxford Classical Texts Volumes 1-2 of Lucian, R.B. Branham, Unruly Eloquence

Assessment: Performance in class, final examination

Pre-Requisites: One semester of intermediate Greek (e.g., Greek 201)

GRK 495R: Honors

Content:
Independent study under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.

Content:
Independent study under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.

GRK 597R- 001 Directed Reading

Content:
This course is open to graduate students pursuing independent work under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with a faculty member prior to registration.

LATIN

LAT 101-000: Elementary Latin I

Content: This course is a basic introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Latin with an emphasis on the acquisition of reading knowledge. This course is valuable for students in English, other languages and literatures, history, philosophy, history of art, and religion.

Texts: Keller & Russell (Yale): Learn to Read Latin, text and workbook.

Assessment: Periodic quizzes, exams during semester and final examination, daily attendance, and classroom work.

Pre-Requisites: None.

Note: Class size will be increased to 18 students for freshman registration. During the subsequent add-drop-swap period upperclassmen may enroll in open spaces or may ask the section instructor to overload into the course.

LAT 101-001 Elementary Latin I

Content: This course is a basic introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Latin with an emphasis on the acquisition of reading knowledge. This course is valuable for students in English, other languages and literatures, history, philosophy, history of art, and religion.

Texts: Keller & Russell (Yale): Learn to Read Latin, text and workbook.

Assessment: Periodic quizzes, exams during semester and final examination, daily attendance, and classroom work.

Pre-Requisites: None.

Note: Class size will be increased to 18 students for freshman registration. During the subsequent add-drop-swap period upperclassmen may enroll in open spaces or may ask the section instructor to overload into the course.

LAT 101-002 Elementary Latin I

Content: This course is a basic introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Latin with an emphasis on the acquisition of reading knowledge. This course is valuable for students in English, other languages and literatures, history, philosophy, history of art, and religion.

Texts: Keller & Russell (Yale): Learn to Read Latin, text and workbook. Goldman, English Grammar for Students of Latin. Morwood, A Latin Grammar.


Assessment: Periodic quizzes, exams during semester and final examination, daily attendance, and classroom work.

Pre-Requisites: None.

Note: Class size will be increased to 18 students for freshman registration. During the subsequent add-drop-swap period upperclassmen may enroll in open spaces or may ask the section instructor to overload into the course.

LAT 201 Prose

Content: An introduction to Latin prose through lively and relatively easy readings:  selections from Apuleius' Golden Ass.  This course, meant to follow the first year (or equivalent) of Latin, will increase students' proficiency at reading and enjoyment of Latin texts.

Texts: Apuleius, The Tale of Cupid and Psyche, ed. Balme & Morwood (Oxford)

Assessment: Quizzes, two midterms, final exam; class participation.

Pre-Requisites: LAT 102 or equivalent.

LAT 318 Lucretius

Content: In this course, we will read extensive selections from Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura in Latin.  We will translate selected passages and the proems from each of the six books of this didactic epic to gain insight into the work as a whole.  Discussion will focus on topics in Greek philosophy ranging from Pre-Socratic to Hellenistic philosophy, with emphasis on the philosophy of Lucretius’ master, Epicurus.  In addition, we will become familiar with Lucretius’ archaic artistry as a philosophical-poet with close examination of his poetic techniques.  Supplemental secondary readings will be assigned for discussion on current scholarship on Lucretius.

Texts: T. Lucreti Cari, de rerum natura, ed. W.E. Leonard and S.B. Smith (University of Wisconsin, 1970), A Latin Grammar, James Morwood, (Oxford University Press, A Latin Dictionary of your choice

Assessment: TBA

Pre-Requisites: TBA

LAT 370S Myths, Traditions, and Ideologies of Early Rome

Content: Selections from Livy Ab Urbe Condita 1-5 (Romulus and Remus, etc.), Aeneid 3 (wanderings of Aeneas), Aeneid 8 (first sight of the site of Rome, the exemplary figures on Aeneas’ shield).

Texts: Livy, Ab Urbe Condita Vergil, Aeneid 3 and Aeneid 8

Assessment: Helpful translation quizzes, two short papers (one on each author), oral reports on secondary readings, two short hour exams (translation, scansion), comprehensive final exam (translation, scansion, prepared essay).

Pre-Requisites: Latin 201 and 202 or the equivalent.

LAT 495R: Supervised Reading

Content:
Independent study under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.

LAT 498R: Supervised Reading

Content:
Independent study under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.

LAT 597R: Directed Reading

Content:
This course is open to graduate students pursuing independent work under faculty direction. Students must make arrangements with faculty members prior to registration.