Franklin & Marshall College

Classics

A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and is subject to change.

Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.

Courses In English

Designated as “Classics,” the following courses require no knowledge of Greek or Latin, unless otherwise indicated.

113. The History of Ancient Greece. (S) Every Spring

Ancient Greece from the Bronze Age to the death of Alexander the Great in the Mediterranean and Near Eastern context. Students are also introduced to the problems and methods of historical inquiry. Same as HIS 113. Castor, Thorn

114. The History of Ancient Rome. (S) Every Fall

The transformation from the Republic to Principate and the collapse of the empire are explored. Students are also introduced to the problems and methods of historical inquiry. Same as HIS 114. Castor

148. Greek Art and Archaeology. (A) Every Fall

This course provides an overview of the archaeological monuments of ancient Greece. Coursework will focus on methodological approaches to analyzing building techniques, trends, styles and the social, political and religious functions of art and monumental architecture in ancient Greek society. Topics covered in lecture and classroom discussion will include archaeological and art historical interpretations of sacred and public architecture, urbanism, three-dimensional sculpture, relief sculpture, painting and decorative arts. There is a required field trip. Same as ART 148. Meyers

149. Roman Art and Archaeology. (A) Every Spring

This course provides an overview of the archaeological monuments of ancient Rome. Coursework will focus on methodological approaches to analyzing building techniques, trends, styles and the social, political and religious functions of art and monumental architecture in ancient Roman society. Topics covered in lecture and classroom discussion will include archaeological and art historical interpretations of sacred and public architecture, urbanism, three-dimensional sculpture, relief sculpture, painting and decorative arts. There is a required field trip. Same as ART 149. Meyers

210. History of Ancient Philosophy. (H) Every Fall

The origin and development of the major themes of Greek philosophy from the Milesians through Aristotle. Same as PHI 210. Franklin

220. Between the Rivers: The Cultures of Ancient Iraq. (H) (NW) 2013 – 2014

In this course, we will explore Mesopotamian societies from the Neolithic era (c. 8,000 B.C.) to the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great (331 B.C). How did the various Mesopotamian empires interact with their powerful neighbors? What do we know about how these people ate, worked, learned and loved? We will examine archaeological discoveries, historical documents and literary texts of these lands between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Castor

230. Classical Myth. (H) Fall 2011

Introduction to the myths of ancient Greece and Rome and their relationship to the art, history, philosophy and religions of their respective cultures. Students will explore the Classical conception of the interactions between mortals, heroes and divinities through a wide range of media and textual genres. Connections between Greek and Roman myths as well as the adaptation of mythical traditions from Near East cultures will be discussed. Strolonga

353. Summer Fieldwork in Classical Archaeology. (H) 1.5 credits Summer 2012

Hands-on training in archaeological field methods, including excavation technique and preparation of a field notebook. Students work for six weeks at the Etruscan site of Poggio Colla, part of the Mugello Archaeological Project, co-sponsored by Franklin & Marshall, Southern Methodist University and the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. Prerequisites: CLS 114 or 149 and permission of the instructor. Meyers, Steiner

381. Plato. (H) Spring 2013

An intensive treatment of some of the major philosophical themes in selected dialogues of Plato. Prerequisite: CLS/PHI 210. Same as PHI 381. Franklin

421. Selected Studies in Greek History. (S) Spring 2013

A close examination of a particular period, place or individual in ancient Greek history. Seminar topics include “Alexander the Great” and “5th-century Athens.” Prerequisite: CLS/HIS 113. Same as HIS 421. Castor

422. Selected Studies in Roman History. (S) Fall 2011

A close examination of a particular period, place or individual in ancient Roman history. Seminar topics include “Imperial Women: Power Behind the Throne.” Prerequisite: CLS/HIS 114. Same as HIS 422. Castor

476. Topics in Greek Art and Archaeology. (A) Fall 2012

A close examination of a particular aspect of ancient Greek sculpture, architecture, or vase painting, or a close study of the archaeological remains from a particular chronological period of ancient Greece. Seminar topics include “Greeks in South Italy.” Prerequisite: ART/CLS 148 or permission. Same as ART 476. Meyers

477. Topics in Roman Art and Archaeology. (A) Spring 2012

A close examination of a particular aspect of ancient Roman sculpture, architecture, or painting, or a close study of the archaeological remains from a particular chronological period of ancient Rome. Seminar topics include “Art of the Augustan Age.” Prerequisite: ART/CLS 149 or permission. Same as ART 477. Meyers

Greek

101. Elementary Ancient Greek I. Every Fall

Introduction to the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek. Biles, Strolonga

102. Elementary Ancient Greek II. Every Spring

Continues the study of the basic grammar and syntax of Classical Greek. Prerequisite: GRK 101 or placement. Biles, Strolonga

201. Introduction to Greek Prose. (LS) Every Fall

Review of principles of grammar and syntax through composition exercises and introductory readings of authentic Greek prose. Prerequisite: GRK 102 or placement. Castor, Houser

202. Introduction to Greek Poetry. (H) Every Spring

Introduction to Greek poetry with emphasis on diction, meter and literary interpretation. Prerequisite: GRK 201 or permission of the instructor. Biles, O’Bryhim

311. Greek Historians.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of the historical writings of Herodotus and Thucydides with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Castor, Biles

312. Greek Oratory.* (H) 2011– 2012

An examination of the Athenian orators Lysias and Demosthenes with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

314. Greek Lyric Poetry.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of selected Archaic lyric poets (e.g. Archilochus, Sappho, Alcaeus, Alcman), with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

315. Greek Comedy.* (H) Fall 2011

An examination of a comedy of Aristophanes with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. O’Bryhim

316. Greek Tragedy.* (H) 2013 – 2014

An examination of a tragedy with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles

320. Greek Philosophy.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of a Platonic dialogue with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

321. Greek Epic.* (H) 2013 – 2014

An examination of Homer’s Iliad with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles

*Repeatable by permission of department.

Latin

101. Elementary Latin I. Every Fall

Introduction to the basic grammar and syntax of Classical Latin. Normally open only to students who have had no prior experience in the formal study of Latin. Meyers

102. Elementary Latin II. Every Spring

Continues and completes the study of the basic grammar and syntax of Classical Latin. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or placement. Thorn

201. Introduction to Latin Prose. (LS) Every Fall

Introduction to Latin prose incorporating a review of forms and structures. Successful completion of the course signifies that the student has mastered the elements of Latin and is prepared to begin the study of Roman texts. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or placement. O’Bryhim, Thorn

202. Introduction to Latin Poetry. (H) Every Spring

Introduction to Latin poetry with the goal of developing speed, facility in meter and interpretation. Prerequisite: LAT 201 or placement. O’Bryhim

311. Latin Historians.* (H) 2011 – 2012

An examination of the histories of Tacitus with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

312. Latin Oratory.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of the speeches of Cicero with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

313. Latin Epic.* (H) 2013 – 2014

An examination of selected Latin epics with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

315. Latin Comedy.* (H) Fall 2011

An examination of the comedies of Plautus with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. O’Bryhim

316. Latin Tragedy.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of the tragedies of Seneca with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

318. Latin Satire.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of the satires of Horace, Persius and Juvenal with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

319. Latin Letters.* (H) 2013 – 2014

An examination of the letters of Cicero, Pliny and Fronto with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff

320. Latin Philosophy.* (H) 2012 – 2013

An examination of the philosophical works of Cicero with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research.

*Repeatable by permission of department.

Topics Courses Expected To Be Offered In 2011–2012

First-Year Seminar: Odyssey of Homer.
The Ancient Family: House and Home.