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.
CLS113. The History of Ancient Greece. (S) Every Fall
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
CLS114. The History of Ancient Rome. (S) Every Spring
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
CLS130. Myth in the Classical Epic. (H) Offered in 2009—2011
A survey of the epics of the Greco-Roman world: Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Apollonius' Jason and the Argonauts and Vergil's Aeneid. Emphasis on values, narrative, characterization and evolution of the genre. Staff
CLS148. Greek Art and Archaeology. (A) Every Spring
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
CLS149. Roman Art and Archaeology. (A) Every Fall
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
CLS210. 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, Willard
CLS220. Between the Rivers: The Cultures of Ancient Iraq. (H) (NW) Offered in 2010—2011
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
CLS230. Classical Myth. (H) Offered in 2009—2010
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. Staff
CLS353. Summer Fieldwork in Classical Archaeology. (H) 1.5 credits Summer 2010
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
CLS381. Plato. (H) Spring 2011
An intensive treatment of some of the major philosophical themes in selected dialogues of Plato. Prerequisite: CLS/PHI 210. Same as CLS/PHI 381. Franklin
CLS421. Selected Studies in Greek History. (S) Fall 2011
A close examination of a particular period, place or individual in ancient Greek history. Seminar topics include "Alexander the Great" and "Archaic Greece." Prerequisite: CLS/HIS 113. Same as HIS 421. Castor
CLS422. Selected Studies in Roman History. (S) Fall 2010
A close examination of a particular period, place or individual in ancient Roman history. Seminar topics include "Imperial Women: Power Behind the Throne," "The Rise of Rome" and "The Roman Empire." Prerequisite: CLS/HIS 114. Same as HIS 422. Castor
GREEK
CLS101. Elementary Ancient Greek I. Every Fall
Introduction to the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek. Biles
CLS102. Elementary Ancient Greek II. Every Spring
Continues the study of the basic grammar and syntax of Classical Greek. Prerequisite: GRK 101 or placement. Biles
CLS201. 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. Biles
CLS202. 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
CLS311. Greek Historians.* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of the historical writings of Herodotus and Thucydides with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Castor, Biles
CLS312. Greek Oratory.* (H) Spring 2010
An examination of the Athenian orators Lysias and Demosthenes with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles
CLS314. Greek Lyric Poetry.* (H) Fall 2010
An examination of selected Archaic lyric poets (e.g. Archilochus, Sappho, Alcaeus, Alcman), with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS315. Greek Comedy.* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of a comedy of Aristophanes with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles
CLS316. Greek Tragedy.* (H) Fall 2010
An examination of a tragedy of Sophocles with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS317. Greek Novel.* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of Longus' Daphnis and Chloe with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles
CLS320. Greek Philosophy.* (H) Spring 2011
An examination of a Platonic dialogue with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS321. Greek Epic* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of Homer's Iliad with emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Biles
*Repeatable by permission of department.
LATIN
CLS101. 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
CLS102. Elementary Latin II. Every Spring
Continues and completes the study of the basic grammar and syntax of Classical Latin. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or placement. Ring
CLS201. 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. Ring, Vergados
CLS202. 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. Vergados
CLS311. Latin Historians.* (H) Offered in 2011–2012
An examination of the histories of Tacitus with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS312. Latin Oratory.* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of the speeches of Cicero with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS313. Latin Epic.* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of selected Latin epics with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS315. Latin Comedy.* (H) Offered in 2011—2012
An examination of the comedies of Plautus with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. O’Bryhim
CLS316. Latin Tragedy.* (H) Fall 2009
An examination of the tragedies of Seneca with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Ring
CLS318. Latin Satire.* (H) Fall 2010
An examination of the satires of Horace, Persius and Juvenal with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Staff
CLS319. Latin Letters.* (H) Spring 2010
An examination of the letters of Cicero, Pliny and Fronto with an emphasis on translation, interpretation, evaluating scholarship and research. Ring
CLS320. Latin Philosophy.* (H) Spring 2011
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 2009—2010
Gender and Sexuality in Antiquity.
Greek Hymns.
Accelerated Latin.
