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Course Descriptions

CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Courses requiring no knowledge of Greek or Latin, with no prerequisites, and suitable for first- through fourth-year students.

108 Greek Tragedy
This course is a reading in English translation of selected plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides—the earliest examples of one of the most pervasive genres of Western literature. Each play is considered both in its own right and in relation to larger issues, such as the tragic treatment of myth, relevance to contemporary Athenian problems, and the understanding of the world that these plays might be said to imply. Through attention to matters of production, an attempt is made to imagine the effect of the plays in performance in the Athenian theatre. The course considers, in addition, possible definitions of tragedy, with the aid both of other writers’ views and of experiences of the texts themselves. (Offered every four years)

112 Classical Myths
In this course, students study ancient creation myths, the mythology of the Olympian gods, and Greek heroic and epic saga. Particular attention is paid to ancient authors’ exploration of universal human themes and conflicts, mythology as an embodiment and criticism of ancient religious beliefs and practices, and the treatment of mythological themes in the ancient and modern visual arts. (Offered every four years)
Typical readings: Hesiod, Theogony; Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, selected plays; Apollonius, The Voyage of the Argo; Ovid, Metamorphoses. All readings are in English translation.

125 Greek and Roman Religion
This course is an introduction to Greek and Roman religious thought and practice: the pre-Greek “goddess worship” of Minoan Crete, the Greek Olympians and the “mystery religions,” the impersonal agricultural deities of the early Romans, the Greek and Roman philosophical schools, Christianity’s conquest of the Empire and the Empire’s regimentation of Christianity. Attention is paid to the practice of animal sacrifice, the Greek and Roman religious festivals, the contrast between public and private cult, the tolerance of religious diversity under paganism vs. the intolerance of monotheism, and pagan ideas of personal salvation. The course’s approach is historical. (Offered every four years)
Typical readings: Homer, Iliad; R. Garland, Religion and the Greeks; K. Dowden, Religion and the Romans; Epicurus, Letter to Herodotus, Letter to Menoeceus; Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (selections); Epictetus, Discourses (selections); Gospel of Mark; Gospel of Thomas; Philo, Embassy to Gaius (selections); Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History (selections); Paul, Galatians, I Timothy

202 Athens in the Age of Pericles
The great age of Athenian democracy, so fertile in its influence on our own culture, is the focus of this course, with particular attention paid to the social and political history, the intellectual life, the art, and the literature of the period. Issues such as imperialism and the exclusion of certain categories of people from full participation in the democracy are emphasized. The course traces Periclean Athens’ antecedents in the archaic period and its end under the effects of the Peloponnesian War. (Offered every four years)
Typical readings: Plutarch, Pericles, Alcibiades; Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes: selected plays; Herodotus, Histories (selections); Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War; Lysias, selected orations

228 Classical Epic
This course includes epics from ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and Africa, all of which arose at critical moments in the development of their respective civilizations. Through a detailed study of these texts students examine the genre of epic poetry—its form and style, assumptions, values, and attitudes—along with the relation of each poem to the culture which produced it, and an eye toward similarities and differences. Epic poetry was, for each of these civilizations, one of the most significant bearers of its intellectual and cultural history. (Offered every four years)
Typical readings (all in English): Gilgamesh, Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid

230 Gender in Antiquity
Ancient Greek and Roman literature were powerful forces in shaping attitudes toward and expectations for men and women that have continued into the 20th century. Through readings (in English translation) of Greek and Roman literature from what were very patriarchal societies, students explore the attitudes of these ancient peoples toward issues of sex and gender. Students examine from both traditional and feminist perspectives material written by both men and women from different classes and cultures, with a view to assessing how ancient attitudes towards sex and gender have informed our own. (Offered every four years)
Typical readings: selections from Sappho, Homer, Herodotus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Plato, Aristotle, Livy, Catullus, Ovid; Winkler, Constraints of Desire; Keuls, The Reign of the Phallus

251 The Romans: Republic to Empire
This course surveys the “Roman Revolution,” from 140 B.C. to A.D. 70: the destruction of the Republic by Julius Caesar and Augustus’ founding of the Empire. Students trace the political evolution of Rome through these two centuries and read several central works by ancient authors of this period. The course also considers the “everyday life” of the Romans—the conditions of the rich, poor, and slave, the changing status of women, and religious and philosophical pluralism within the Empire. The course thus aims to be an introduction to Roman history and culture during its central era. (Offered every four years)
Typical readings: Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero; Tingay, These Were the Romans; Vergil, Aeneid; Cicero, Fifth Verrine, Pro Caelio, Second Philippic; Sallust, Catiline; Plutarch, T. Gracchus, Sulla, Julius Caesar, Cicero, Mark Anthony; Suetonius, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero; Seneca, Letters From a Stoic, Thyestes; Lucretius, On the Nature of Things (selections); Catullus, Ovid (selected “love” poems)

450 Independent Study (By arrangement)

495 Honors (By arrangement)

Classics Courses Offered Occasionally
175 Special Topics
209 Alexander the Great
221 Rise of the Polis
275 Special Topics
283 Aristotle
290 Classical Law and Morality

GREEK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
101 Beginning Greek I
“There is one criterion, and one only, by which a course for the learners of a language no longer spoken should be judged: the efficiency and speed with which it brings them to the stage of reading texts in the original language with precision, understanding, and enjoyment.” This statement by Sir Kenneth Dover characterizes the approach to learning Greek pursued in the beginning sequence (GRE 101, GRE 102). The aim of this sequence is to provide students with the vocabulary and grammatical skills necessary to read ancient Greek authors as quickly as possible. This language study also offers an interesting and effective approach to the culture and thought of the Greeks. No prerequisites. (Fall, offered annually)

102 Beginning Greek II
A continuation of GRE 101, this course continues and completes the presentation of basic Greek grammar and vocabulary and increases students’ facility in reading Greek. Prerequisite: GRE 101 or the equivalent. (Spring, offered annually)

205 The Greek New Testament
In this course, students read one of the canonical gospels in the original Greek and the other three in English translation. Class work emphasizes the grammatical differences between koine Greek and Classical Greek. The course considers the numerous non-canonical gospels and investigates the formation of the New Testament canon. Students examine textual variants in the biblical manuscripts and discuss the principles that lead textual critics to prefer one reading over another. The theory that Matthew and Luke are based on Mark and a hypothetical document “Q” is critically investigated. The course also introduces students to modern approaches to New Testament study: form, redaction, rhetorical, and postmodern criticisms. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

213 Plato
In this course, a Platonic dialogue such as the Symposium, the Apology, or the Crito is read in Greek, with attention directed to the character and philosophy of Socrates as they are represented by Plato. It includes a review of Greek grammar. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

223 Homer
This course is a reading in Greek and discussion of some of either Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey, with the entire poem read in English. Some attention is given to the cultural and historical setting and to the nature of Homeric language, but the course aims at an appreciation, through readings in the original, of the Iliad or Odyssey as a poetic masterpiece. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

234 Herodotus
In this course, selections from Herodotus’ Histories are read in Greek, with much of the rest read in English. It aims to develop students’ facility in Greek, acquainting them further with the Greek world through the Histories, and introducing them to the mind and thought of Herodotus, whom Cicero called “the father of history.” Prerequisite: GRE 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

263 Sophocles
This course includes a careful reading in Greek of one of the plays of Sophocles, such as Oedipus the King or Antigone, with close attention to the language of tragedy, as well as to plot construction, dramatic technique, and the issues raised by the mythic story. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

264 Euripides
In this course, a complete tragedy of Euripides, such as Alcestis, Bacchae, Hippolytus, or Medea, is studied in Greek, with close attention to language and style as a way of appreciating the play’s broader concerns and Euripides’ dramatic artistry. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

265 Aristophanes
In this course, one of the comedies of Aristophanes, such as Lysistrata or Clouds, is read closely in Greek. In addition to discussing its universal human themes, the course explores its relevance to its Athenian historical period and discusses the particular nature of Aristophanic comedy. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or equivalent. (Offered occasionally)

301 Advanced Readings in Greek Literature
This course is offered to students who have mastered the fundamentals of Greek and are now able to read substantial amounts appreciatively. Readings are chosen according to the interests and needs of the students. Prerequisites: two semesters of 200-level Greek or permission of the instructor. (Fall, offered annually)
Typical readings: prose—Plato, Xenophon, Herodotus, Thucydides, Lysias, Demosthenes; poetry—Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes

302 Advanced Readings in Greek Literature
This course is parallel to GRE 301.(Spring, offered annually)

400 Senior Seminar
This seminar is designed to provide an integrative capstone experience for Greek, Latin, and classics majors. Team-taught by members of the department, the structure and content of the course varies to meet the individual needs and desires of the senior majors. Possible content may include: intensive reading of Latin/Greek authors, Latin/Greek composition, surveys of Latin/Greek literature, introduction to research tools for graduate study, developing bibliographies, and designing materials in preparation for teaching. (Spring, offered occasionally)

450 Independent Study

495 Honors

LATIN COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
101 Beginning Latin I
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of Latin grammar, accompanied by some practice in reading the language. The aim is to equip students to read the major Roman authors. No prerequisite. (Fall, offered annually)

102 Beginning Latin II
This course continues and completes the study of basic grammar and introduces representative samples of Latin prose (e.g., Cicero, Caesar) and poetry (e.g., Catullus, Ovid). By consolidating their knowledge of grammar and building their vocabulary, students are able to read Latin with increased ease and pleasure and to deepen their understanding of ancient Roman culture. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or the equivalent. (Spring, offered annually)

223 Medieval Latin
At the end of the Roman Empire, as “classical” Latin grew more formal and artificial, “vulgar” Latin—the language of the “common people” and the parent of the Romance languages—emerged as a sophisticated literary instrument. Throughout the Middle Ages, an enormous literature was produced in this living Latin: works sacred and profane, serious and flippant. In this course, students read selections, in the original Latin, from works in theology, history, biography, fiction, and poetry. Attention is given to the differences between Medieval and “classical” Latin, but the course emphasizes the creativity of the medieval authors as artists in a living language. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)
Typical readings: selections from Jerome, Vulgate Bible; Jacobus de Voragine, Golden Legend; Bonaventura, Life of St. Francis; Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Britons; Bede, Ecclesiastical History; Einhard, Life of Charlemagne; Abelard and Eloise, Correspondence; Hrothsvita, Dramas; Poetry—Carmina Burana; Fortunatus; Alcuin; Thomas of Celano, Dies Irae; Thomas Aquinas

238 Latin Epic (Vergil or Ovid)
This course is a careful reading in Latin of some of the Aeneid or the Metamorphoses, with the entire poem read in English, to enable students to appreciate the poetry and Vergil’s or Ovid’s presentation of Augustan Rome against the background of its historical and literary heritage. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

248 The Writings of Cicero or Pliny
This course includes readings in the original Latin of works by eyewitnesses to the profound changes that Rome experienced during the late republic and early empire. It gives considerable attention to the literary intentions of the author and to the light those intentions throw on contemporary political feelings and postures. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or equivalent. (Offered every three years)

255 Latin Historians: Tacitus or Livy
This course includes readings from Tacitus’ Annales or Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita, examining the authors’ prose styles and the historical contexts in which they wrote. Students explore the authors’ use of historiography as ostensible support or covert attack on political regimes. Attention is given to the ancient view that history must be aesthetically pleasing and ethically useful and to ancient historians’ lapses in objectivity and accuracy. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

262 Latin Erotic Poetry
In this course, selections from Catullus, Propertius, Sulpicia, Tibullus, and Ovid help to survey the language, themes, and structures of Augustan elegiac poetry. Considerable attention is paid to the Roman authors’ views of women and of the relations between the sexes. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

264 Petronius or Seneca
In this course, selections from the Satyricon, read in Latin, highlight Petronius’ wit, his depiction of contemporary society, and the Satyricon as an example of ancient prose narrative. Alternatively, selections from Seneca's Moral Epistles portray the Stoic philosopher's ethical concerns in a time of tyranny, and one of his blood-andthunder tragedies illustrates the spirit of the age of Nero, in which evil becomes a fine art. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or the equivalent. (Offered every three years)

301 Advanced Readings in Latin Literature
This course is offered to students who have mastered the fundamentals of Latin and are now able to read substantial amounts appreciatively. Readings are chosen according to the interests and needs of the students. Possibilities include: prose—Cicero, Seneca, Tacitus, Livy; poetry— Horace, Juvenal, Lucretius, Ovid, Propertius, Vergil. Prerequisites: Two terms of 200-level Latin or permission of the instructor. (Fall, offered annually)

302 Advanced Readings in Latin Literature
This course is parallel to LAT 301. (Spring, offered annually)

400 Senior Seminar
This seminar is designed to provide an integrative capstone experience for Greek, Latin, and classics majors. Team-taught by members of the department, the structure and content of the course varies to meet the individual needs and desires of the senior majors. Possible content includes: intensive reading of Latin/Greek authors, Latin/Greek composition, surveys of Latin/Greek literature, introduction to research tools for graduate study, developing bibliographies, designing materials in preparation for teaching. (Spring, offered occasionally)

450 Independent Study (By arrangement)

495 Honors (By arrangement)