CLASSICS

 

CLSC 204 – Heroes and Hustlers in Roman Literature
TR 4:00-5:15, Timothy Wutrich

(Cross-listed as WLIT 204) This course constitutes the second half of a sequence on Classical literature. Its main themes are heroism vs. self-promotion, love vs. lust, and the struggle between democracy and tyranny. These topics are traced in a variety of literary genres from the period of the Roman republic well into the empire. Parallels with modern life and politics will be drawn. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 222 – Classical Tradition 2: Birth of Archaeology
TR 11:30-12:45, Florin Berindeanu

(Cross-listed as WLIT 222) The course will focus on the history of diverse methods for studying societies remote in time and space; i.e., on the formation of the distinct disciplines of archaeology and anthropology, and the interest in the origins of human society and cultural practices. The birth of archaeology occurred in the context of the profound transformation of European cultural life in the eighteenth century, the era of the Enlightenment. On the basis of a range of cultural productions (literary and historical texts, objects of luxury and use, etc.), we will study visual and literary works and consider the relationship between different modes of artistic production and expression, as well as the marketing and display of prestigious objects, whether ancient or modern. We will consider the eighteenth-century model of experiential education, the “Grand Tour,” and the formation of private and public collections, as well as the emergence of the museum as institution. Finally, we will also consider important recent work on the relationship between the production of luxury commodities (sugar, coffee, tea, etc.) through the plantation economy in the Americas and beyond and the development of attitudes and ideas in Europe. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 232 – The World of Ancient Rome
MWF 10:35-11:25, Paul Hay

(Cross-listed as HSTY 232) The enduring significance of the Romans studied through their history, literature, art, and philosophy. Lectures and discussion. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 295 – Greek and Latin Elements in English: The Basic Course
TR 11:30-12:45, Maddalena Rumor

A self-paced, computer-assisted course on the classical foundations (etymology) of modern English as well as the basic principles on which roots, prefixes, and suffixes combine to give precise meanings to composite words, which is then applied toward learning medical, biomedical and scientific terminology.

CLSC 302 – Archaic to Hellenistic Periods
MW 12:45-2:00, Paul Iversen

(Cross-listed as HSTY 302) The rise of Hellenic thought and institutions from the eighth to the third centuries B.C., the rise of the polis, the evolution of democracy at Athens, the crises of the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, fifth-century historiography, the growth of individualism, and the revival of monarchy in the Hellenistic period. Counts for CAS Global & Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 320/420 – Alexander the Great
MWF 2:15-3:05, Rachel Sternberg

(Cross-listed as HIST 320/420) This course is the Classics Departmental Seminar in the SAGES sequence (normally taken in the Spring semester of a major’s Junior year), though it can also be taken for regular credit in Classics or History by both undergraduate and graduate students. The seminar offers students a firm grounding in the discipline of Classics with an emphasis on the diverse materials (particularly primary source material), methods and approaches that can be brought to bear on the study of Greco-Roman antiquity. Students will read and discuss the ancient sources and contemporary scholarship on the enigmatic Alexander the Great drawn from various fields of classics, including history, archaeology, art history, philosophy, gender studies, epigraphy, numismatics, and the reception of Alexander. Based upon this, they will then write a research paper that employs conventions found in the field of Classics. Much of this training, however, will also be transferable to other fields and periods. Because the scope of the seminar moves (along with Alexander himself) beyond Europe and examines the historical foundations of the antagonism between East and West, this course qualifies as a Global and Cultural Diversity course. Counts as SAGES Departmental Seminar. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 322/422 – Roman Drama and Theater
MW 3:20-4:35, Timothy Wutrich

(Cross-listed as WLIT 322/422) This course is designed as a continuation of and companion to CLSC/WLIT 316/416 Greek Tragedy in English Translation, although it may be taken without having taken, or before having taken, that course. Students in Roman Drama and Theater will read a significant number of ancient Roman plays in modern English translation and study non-literary theatrical entertainment of the Roman Republic and Empire, including mime and pantomime, gladiatorial shows, political speeches, courtroom drama, and various other spectacles. The dramatic texts that we shall study include the fragments of early Latin drama, selected comedies by Plautus and Terence, and the tragedies of Seneca, and the forensic speeches of statesman such as Cicero. We shall also consider Greek and Roman literature that comments on Roman theatrical practices. These works will be read for their literary merits and theatrical possibilities, while at the same time examining them for what they can tell us about Roma culture and society. Similarly, when studying the non-literary theatrical works we shall examine historical and theatrical context including archaeological evidence from theaters and amphitheaters and material remains (masks, depictions of actors and gladiators on vases, terra cotta lamps, mosaics, etc.). Finally, while the majority of the course focuses on drama originally written in Latin and theatrical entertainments performed in ancient Rome, the course will conclude with a survey of selected post-classical works indebted to the tradition of Roman drama and theater. Authors to be studied include Hrotsvitha, Marlowe, Shakespeare, Racine, Mollère, and the legacy of Roman drama and theater in contemporary stage and cinema such as Sondelm’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Thus a secondary concern will be to consider how and in what ways the legacy of Roman drama and theater has continued to shape the dramatic arts since antiquity. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 331/431 – Dante and the Classical Tradition
TR 1:00-2:15, Florin Berindeanu

(Cross-listed as WLIT 331/431) “Dante and the Classical Tradition” will introduce through the complex work of Dante the concept of classical tradition as an all-encompassing cultural term. Dante represents the grandiose example of the artist who seeks the complete synthesis between humanities and sciences and their incessant collaborative effort to broaden as much as possible the depths of human knowledge. Philosophy, Geography, Physics, Linguistics, Astronomy and Literature are steady landmarks in Dante’s work through which he aims to speak about the necessity of ever maintaining continuity between all domains of human knowledge. Dante’s work proposes high levels of excellence and while the course’s focus will be on his literary output the scientific interests and treatises he demonstrates will not be omitted during class discussion and bibliography included in the syllabus. Last but not least the focus will be on how we understand today the concept of classical tradition as a result of Dante’s writings. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

 

AKKADIAN

 

AKKD 101: Beginning Akkadian I
TR 1:00-2:15, Maddalena Rumor

This course is the first of a sequence of two courses intended to cover the fundamentals of Akkadian grammar and a large number of the most common cuneiform signs encountered. A sample of texts (tablets) from the most important genres of cuneiform literature will be read. Along the way elements of Mesopotamian history and culture will be discussed.

 

GREEK

 

GREK 101 – Elementary Greek I
MWF 9:30-10:20, Rachel Sternberg

Beginning course in Greek language, covering grammar (forms and syntax) and the reading of elementary selections from ancient sources. Makes a start toward reading Greek authors.

GREK 201/401 – Greek Prose Authors
MWF 11:40-12:30, Rachel Sternberg

(Cross-listed as WLIT 201/401) Readings from authors such as Plato, Lysias, Xenophon, and Herodotus.

GREK 380/480 – Advanced Topics in Greek Literature: Lyric & Poetry
MW 8:00-9:15, Paul Iversen

Study and discussion of important authors, works, and topics not covered regularly. Content will reflect particular interests of students and faculty and timeliness of the topics. Prerequisite: 200-level GREK or equivalent

 

LATIN

 

LATN 102 – Elementary Latin II
MWF 2:15-3:05, Paul Hay

An introduction to the elements of Latin: pronunciation, forms, syntax, vocabulary, and reading. Prerequisite:  LATN 101 or equivalent.

LATN 202/402 – Vergil
TR 2:30-3:45, Timothy Wutrich

(Cross-listed as WLIT 232/432) Primarily readings from The Aeneid; selections from Vergil’s other work may be introduced at instructor’s discretion. Recommended preparation: LATN 201 or equivalent.

LATN 356/456 – Elegiac Poetry
MW 12:45-2:00, Paul Hay

Cross-listed as WLIT 336/436) In this course we shall translate and interpret selected elegies by Catullus, Tibulius, Propertius, and Ovid. We will also devote considerable class time to the reading and in-depth analysis of the major secondary literature, starting with the introductory pieces in the newest companions published by Brill and Cambridge, and moving on to fundamental articles and perhaps even a full scholarly monograph. Prerequisite: 200-level LATN or equivalent.

 

WORLD LITERATURE

 

WLIT 212: World Literature II: Early Medieval to Renaissance Literature and Art
TR 10:00-11:15, Florin Berindeanu

Survey of literature from 1600 to present. May include Western and non-Western texts by Swift, Voltaire, Rousseau, Tolstoi, Baudelaire, Austen, Mann, Kafka, Lispector, Marmon Silko, Soyinka.