Courses Offered
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
114. The History of Ancient Rome. (S) Every Fall (Not offered in Fall 2012)
The transformation from 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
115. 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 115. Meyers
117. 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 117. Meyers
210. History of Ancient Philosophy. (H) Every Fall
The origin and development of the major themes of Greek philosophy from the Milesians through Franklin Aristotle. Same as PHI 210.
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 2012
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
242. Gender and Sexuality in Antiquity. (H) Spring 2013
The aim of this course is to explore the cultural constructions of gender and sexuality in the ancient societies of Greece and Rome. We will approach questions such as the status of women and the context of misogyny, the societal role of same-sex relations, the presentation and visualization of sexuality, desire and the body. We will examine archaeological, visual and literary evidence through assigned reading and class discussion. This interdisciplinary approach will allow us to gain an understanding of gender and sexuality in antiquity and will offer insights into the shaping of our own cultural and personal attitudes. Same as WGS 242. Meyers
353. Summer Fieldwork in Classical Archaeology. (H) 1.5 credits Summer 2013
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 Valley 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 2013
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
47x. Topics in Greek Art and Archaeology. (A) Spring 2014
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 115 or permission. Same as ART 47x. Meyers
47x. Topics in Roman Art and Archaeology. (A) Fall 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 117 or permission. Same as ART 47x. Meyers
Greek
101. Elementary Ancient Greek I.
Introduction to the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek.
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, Biles
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) 2013 – 2014
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) 2014 – 2015
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 2012
An examination of a comedy of Aristophanes with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating Biles scholarship and research.
316. Greek Tragedy.* (H) 2013 – 2014
An examination of a tragedy with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship Biles and research.
320. Greek Philosophy.* (H) 2014 – 2015
An examination of a Platonic dialogue with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating Staff scholarship and research.
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, Strolonga
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. Meyers, Strolonga
103. Accelerated Latin. Spring 2013
Intensive study of Latin grammar. This course compresses the material from LAT 101 and 102 into one semester, thus enabling the student to enter LAT 201 after one semester of instruction. Intended for motivated students and for those who have placed into this course after taking Latin in high school. O’Bryhim
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
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) Spring 2013
An examination of the histories of Tacitus with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Meyers
312. Latin Oratory.* (H) 2013 – 2014
An examination of the speeches of Cicero with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
313. Latin Epic.* (H) Fall 2012
An examination of selected Latin epics with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles
315. Latin Comedy.* (H) 2014 – 2015
An examination of the comedies of Plautus with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
316. Latin Tragedy.* (H)
An examination of the tragedies of Seneca with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, Staff evaluating scholarship and research.
318. Latin Satire.* (H) 2013 – 2014
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) 2014 – 2015
An examination of the philosophical works of Cicero with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff *Repeatable by permission of department.
Topics Courses Expected To Be Offered In 2012 – 2013
The Ancient Roman City.
Alexander the Great.
