Course Offerings – Classics
Below is a list of available courses offered by the Classics Department. Consult the Registrar’s Office and the College Catalog for registration information.
Course List
CLAS 1132. Classical Mythology
An investigation into the nature and uses of myth in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Topics include the social significance of myth, the use of myth in art and literature, and the influence of Greco-Roman myth on Western civilization. Credit hours: 4. (HE, WI)
CLAS 1144. Athens, Rome, and Alexandria
This course examines Athens, Rome and Alexandria as the physical setting for the drama of daily life and history in three culturally distinct but interrelated urban centers in the ancient Mediterranean. Besides considering how the landscape, monuments, and material culture of these cities reflected and shaped the political, commercial, domestic, religious, and social lives of its citizens, the course reflects on the changing patterns of urban life in these living cities in the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds. Credit hours: 4. Rotating. (HE)
CLAS 1175. Sport and Spectacle
This course explores the ancient roots of modern athletics and mass entertainment through analyses of texts, works of art, and the archaeological settings of sport and spectacle that highlight their essential role in ancient societies. The Olympic games asserted Greek identity, civic virtue and competitive spirit; gladiatorial combat and chariot racing defined relationships between Romans and others, rulers and subjects. Identical with SES 1175. Credit hours: 4. Alternate years. (HE)
CLAS 1177. Classical Philosophy
An introduction to ancient Greek philosophy. Topics include the nature of reality, human nature and happiness, political order. Readings are selected from the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, and others. Identical with PHIL 1177. Credit hours: 4. (HE)
CLAS 1179. Masterworks of Greek and Roman Art
As an introduction to the artistic culture of ancient Greece and Rome, this team- taught course discusses select works of art and architecture in depth, from both art historical and archaeological perspectives. Its aim is to set works of art in their specific historical and cultural context while exploring the connection (in style, material, technique, aesthetic) between them and our world. Identical with ARTH 1179. Credit hours: 4. Rotating. (HE)
CLAS 1180. Mediterranean Empires
This is a survey course covering the history of the Mediterranean from the introduction of agriculture (c. 9000 BCE) to the rise of Islam (632 CE). The course considers the cultural, political, and social history of the region across this period, paying particular attention to the Greeks and Romans. Credit hours: 4. Identical with HIST 1180. Rotating. (HE)
CLAS 1181. Greek Drama Production Laboratory
This course is open to students who are full-time members of the cast or crew of the Greek Play but not enrolled in CLAS/THTR 275. It provides practical experience with the production of an ancient play. Identical with THTR 1181. Credit hours:1 or 2. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Alternate years: offered Fall. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. May be repeated for credit.
CLAS 1183. Classical Rhetoric and Persuasive Power
We have inherited from ancient orators an understanding of the power of words to persuade and ideas about what makes a good speech appeal to an audience. Students will analyze speeches, delve into ancient rhetorical thinking, and apply its arts to speeches of their own. Students will read and write in English. Identical with MAC 1183. Credit hours: 4. Alternate years. (AE)
CLAS 1186. One-Time Only Spring 2022, Session 4: Scientific and Legal Terminology from Greek and Latin
This course focuses on the history and structure of words of the majority of technical terms in medicine, the sciences, and law that use Greek and Latin roots as their building blocks. Students will learn elements of word formation (prefixes, suffixes, and bases) to develop word-analytical techniques and build vocabulary and recognition. Excellent preparation for standardized tests such as the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and MCAT. Credit hours: 4.
CLAS 2275. Greek Drama
The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and the comedies of Aristophanes studied in the context of ancient theatrical conventions, with an emphasis on theories and practices of performance. In-depth study of the play in production as the Greek Play, with required student participation (in any of a number of capacities) to put principles of the class into action. Identical with THTR 2275. Credit hours: 4. Alternate years: offered Fall. (AE, HE)
CLAS 2280. Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Classical Traditions
This course explores how the genres of speculative fiction draw on and departs from ancient Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, myth, history, and art: in other words, how sci-fi and fantasy both transmit and transmute ancient materials and form deep wells of receptions of the ancient world. Students will focus on themes of perennial human significance (e.g., the uses of history, technology, fantastic voyages, metamorphosis, knowledge/wonder, and so on) in books, comics, films, television, and more. Identical with ENGL 2280. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: CLAS 1132 or permission of instructor.
CLAS 4491. Research for the Senior Program
A course for preliminary preparation of the senior project. Course requirements include meeting with a supervisor to explore the feasibility of possible topics for the senior project, refining the questions to be asked, compiling an annotated list of sources, and generally laying the groundwork for writing the senior paper. Credit Hours: 1. Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of instructor.
CLAS 4494. Senior Project
An independent research project carried out in close consultation with the faculty supervisor. It will normally be an investigation of some aspect of Greek or Roman civilization and will typically utilize ancient source materials as well as modern scholarship. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: permission of the Department.
