CLASSICS

CLSC 220 – Art & Literature in the Classical Tradition, Pt 1: Renaissance and Baroque (14th to 17th centuries)
TR 1:00-2:15, Florin Berindeanu

(Cross-listed as WLIT 220) Through lectures, varied assignments, and visits to the Cleveland Museum of Art this course will introduce students to the major issues in the study of early modern art and literatures.  The emphasis will inevitably be on Italy, as the place where the physical remains of ancient Rome confronted and inspired such remarkable masters as Michelangelo (as poet and artist), Palladio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Nicholas Poussin (Bernini and Poussin are represented in the CMAI), though some artists — notably Leonardo — resisted the lure of the classical past.  From Italy new ideas spread to the rest of Europe and beyond.  We will not have much time to study Shakespeare in the course, but we will not be able to ignore the greatest author of the Renaissance period.  Like Shakespeare, we will move between the court and the city, between scenes of often-endangered order and scenes of sometimes-productive disorder, in which classical models provided a key cultural and even psychological resource in challenging times. Recommended preparation: CLSC 112. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 231 – Athens to Alexandria: The World of Ancient Greece
TR 1:00-2:15, Paul Iversen

(Cross-listed as HSTY 231) This course constitutes the first half of a year-long sequence on classical civilization. It examines the enduring significance of the Greeks studied through their history, literature, art, and philosophy. Lectures and discussion. (For the second course in the sequence, see CLSC 232 and HSTY 232.) Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 301 – Ancient Philosophy
TR 4:00-5:15, Chin-Tai Kim

(Cross-listed as PHIL 301) Western philosophy from the early Greeks to the Skeptics. Emphasis on the pre-Socratics, Plato and Aristotle. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101 and consent of department.

CLSC 304 – Ancient Rome: Republic & Empire
MW 3:20-4:35, Paul Hay

(Cross-listed as HSTY 304) Growth and development of the Roman state from the unification of Italy in the early third century B.C. to the establishment of the oriental despotism under Diocletian and Constantine. The growth of empire in the Punic Wars, the uncertain steps toward an eastern hegemony, the crisis in the Republic from the Gracchi to Caesar, the new regime of Augustus, the transformation of the leadership class in the early Empire, and the increasing dominance of the military over the civil structure. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 316/416 – Greek Tragedy
TR 2:30-3:45, Timothy Wutrich

(Cross-listed as WLIT 316/416) This course provides students the opportunity to read a significant number of ancient Greek tragedies in modern English translations.  We shall read, study, and discuss selected works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and attempt to understand the plays as literature composed for performance.  We shall study literary elements within the plays and theatrical possibilities inherent in the texts.  As we read the plays, we shall pay close attention to the historical context and look for what each play can tell us about myth, religion, and society in ancient Athens.  Finally, we shall give occasional attention to the way these tragic dramas and the theater in which they were performed have continued to inspire literature and theater for thousands of years. Lectures will provide historical background on the playwrights, the plays, the mythic and historical background, and possible interpretation of the texts as literature and as performance pieces.  Students will discuss in class the plays that they read.  The course has three examinations and a final project that includes a short essay and a group presentation. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 324/424 – The Sublime and Grotesque in Literature
TR 10:00-11:15, Florin Berindeanu

(Cross-listed as WLIT 324/424) Early on in Western culture the question of sublime and grotesque was addressed by philosophers and writers. Aristotle and especially Longinus initiated the debate over what exactly made a work of art “sublim” or “Grotesque.”  This debate eventually in the 18th century gave birth to the discipline of aesthetics, which is one of the main foci of this course. To that end, in this course we will examine a few literary works in light of the most representative theories around the concept of sublime and grotesque: Aristotle, Longinus, Kant, Burke, Baumgartner, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. Their theories will be applied to some of the most celebrated literary masterpieces written by Homer, Ovid, Dante, Cervantes and others. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 337/437 – Ancient Medicine
MW 3:20-4:35, Maddalena Rumor

(Cross-listed as HIST 337/437) This course offers a general survey of the history of medicine from its origins in pre-historical times to Galen (2nd c. CE) with a view to gaining a better understanding of the path that eventually lead to modern medical practice. The various medical systems considered, including the ancient Babylonian, Egyptian, Jewish, Chinese, Ayurvedic, Greek and Roman traditions, will be examined through the study of primary and secondary sources, while key conceptual developments and practices are identified within their cultural and social context. Special issues, such as epidemics, women’s medicine, and surgery, are also explored and discussed. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

 

GREEK

GREK 102 – Elementary Greek II
MWF 8:25-9:15, Paul Hay

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 370/470 – Greek Prose Composition
TR 8:30-9:45, Paul Iversen

(Cross-listed as WLIT 370/470) This course introduces students to the principles and practice of composing continuous passages of Greek prose.  It is designed to review and to strengthen students’ command of Attic forms while becoming more aware of the ways Greek syntax was employed to express thought.  Via practice at writing Greek prose, the ultimate goal is for the students to become more proficient and sensitive readers of ancient Greek. Prerequisite: 200-level GREK or equivalent.

LATIN

LATN 101 – Elementary Latin I
MWF 2:15-3:05, Paul Hay

An introduction to the elements of Latin: pronunciation, forms, syntax, vocabulary, and reading.

LATN 201/401 – Latin Prose Authors
MW 12:45-2:00, Timothy Wutrich

(Cross-listed as WLIT 241/441) Reading and discussion of such prose authors as Cicero, Caesar, Livy or Pliny. Prerequisite:  LATN 102 or equivalent.

LATN 380/480 – Advanced Topics in Latin Literature
TR 10:00-11:15, Peter Knox

(Cross-listed as WLIT 348/448) Study and discussion of important authors, works, and topics not covered regularly. Content will reflect particular interests of students and faculty and timeliness of topics. Prerequisite: 200-level LATN or equivalent.