CLASSICS

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

(Cross-listed as WLIT 204) In this course students read in modern English translation books written originally in Latin by authors living during the time of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. Students will read plays, poems, and prose that deal with themes such as love and lust, heroism and self-promotion, and the struggle between democracy and tyranny.  Throughout the course students will be encouraged to look for parallels with modern life and politics. Assignments include a midterm, two short papers, two oral assignments, and a final. This course is the companion to CLSC /WLIT 203 Gods and Heroes in Greek Literature, and can be taken before, after, or without that course. 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) This course is a sequel in Classical Tradition to CLSC 220 (Renaissance & Baroque).  The common thread with CLSC 220 lies in the examination of the persistence of classical forms and ideas deep into the 18th century. The culture of 18th century in its interdisciplinary format looks in different ways than, for instance Renaissance, at the continuity with Antiquity. Enlightenment as an ideology means exactly this, the evaluation at the stage reached by arts and sciences until that moment. Apart from the aspects mentioned, 18th century is important for its archeological interest both in the literal sense of the word and also as a moment when Ancient tradition starts being systematically explored as direct experience of the most important places of the Ancient culture. Figures like Voltaire, Rousseau, G.B.Vico, and Piranesi will be studied. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 224 – Sword and Sandal: The Classics in Film
TR 2:30-3:45, Ricardo Apostol

(Cross-listed as WLIT 224) Gladiator. Alexander.  300.  Contemporary society’s continuing fascination with putting the ancient world on the big screen is undeniable; and yet the causes underlying this phenomenon are not quite so readily apparent.  In this course we will watch and discuss a number of movies about the ancient world, running the gamut from Hollywood classics such as Ben-Hur and Spartacus to more recent treatments (the aforementioned 300 and Gladiator, for starters), and from the mainstream and conventional (Clash of the Titans, Disney’s Hercules) to the far-out and avant-garde (Fellini’s Satyricon, anyone?).  As we do so we’ll learn quite a bit about the art and economics of film, on one hand, and the ancient world, on the other.  And yet what we’ll keep coming back to are the big questions: what does our fascination with the ancient Mediterranean tell us about ourselves as a society?  Why do such movies get made, and what kinds of agendas do they serve?  To what extent can we recapture the past accurately?  And if we can’t, are we doomed to just endlessly projecting our own concerns and desires onto a screen, and dressing them in togas? No knowledge of ancient languages is required for this course.

CLSC 232 – Gods and Gladiators: The World of Ancient Rome
TR 10:00-11:15, Ricardo Apostol

(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 295A – Greek and Latin Elements in English: The Basic Course
TR 4:00-5:15, Maddalena Rumor

A self-paced, computer-assisted course in the classical foundations of modern English in which the student learns the basic principles on which roots, prefixes, and suffixes combine to give precise meanings to composite words.

CLSC 295B – Greek and Latin Elements in English: Biomedical Terminology
TR 4:00-5:15, Maddalena Rumor

A self-paced, computer-assisted course in the classical foundations of modern English in which the student learns the basic principles on which roots, prefixes, and suffixes combine to give precise meanings to composite words. Advanced section that is oriented especially toward scientific and medical terminology. Prereq or Coreq: CLSC 295A.

CLSC 320/420 – Alexander the Great: Materials and Methods
MW 12:45-2:00, Paul Iversen

(Cross-listed as HIST 320/420) This SAGES approved Departmental Seminar offers students a firm grounding in the discipline of Classical Studies, with an emphasis on the diverse materials, methods, and approaches that can be brought to bear on the study of Greco-Roman antiquity.  Students will read in English translation the ancient and medieval sources as well as contemporary scholarship on the enigmatic Alexander the Great drawn from various fields of Classics, including history, archaeology, art history, gender studies, epigraphy, numismatics, and reception.  Based upon this, they will then write a research paper using commonly accepted conventions in the field of Classical Studies. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

CLSC 331/431 – Dante and the Classical Tradition: Middle Ages into Modernity
MW 12:45-2:00, Florin Berindeanu

(Cross-listed as WLIT 331/431) This is a fundamental course for the understanding of how Classical Tradition transmitted to the West at the dawn of Renaissance.  It can be stated that Dante is first and foremost the poet of the Classical Tradition in the sense in which his entire work but especially The Divine Comedy function as a receptacle of the past and a vehicle for the future of Western thought.  Dante is, along with Shakespeare, the most influential poet of pre-modernity and one of the few that “foresees” in his work the ongoing influence of antiquity on modern and contemporary artistic and philosophical forms. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.

GREEK

GREK 101 – Elementary Greek I
MWF 10:35-11:25, Rachel Sternberg

(Cross-listed as WLIT 201/401) First half of basic grammar and vocabulary of Ancient Greek, with introduction to the conceptual world that the language reveals. No prerequisites.

GREK 202/402 – Introduction to Greek Poetry
MWF 11:40-12:30, Rachel Sternberg

(Cross-listed as WLIT 202/402) Reading (in Greek) and interpretation of Books 6 and 22 of Homer’s Iliad. Prerequisite: GREK 101-102 or equivalent.

GREK 307/407 – History
MW 8:00-9:15, Paul Iversen

(Cross-listed as WLIT 307/407) In this course we will read selections from Xenophon’s Hellenica, particularly the Corinthian War (395/4 – 387/6 BCE) of Book IV that pitted Sparta against the four allied states of Athens, Thebes, Corinth and Argos.  The primary goals of this course will be to become proficient readers of Attic Greek prose, to become familiar with the history of the Corinthian War, and to become acquainted with some of the issues central to Greek historiography including the writing of history in general.  Along the way we will examine Xenophon’s style of composition, his methods of reporting, his use of sources, and his reaction to prior models of history writing, especially Thucydides and Herodotus. Prerequisite: GREK 202 or equivalent.

LATIN

LATN 102 – Elementary Latin II
MWF 2:15-3:05, Timothy Wutrich

Elementary Latin II is the sequel to Latin I. In this course students continue to learn Classical Latin grammar and syntax while building their Latin vocabulary. Daily work includes translating from Latin to English, reviewing and drilling grammar, and some prose composition. The goal is to begin reading authentic Latin texts. Students will take regular quizzes on grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, a midterm and a final examination. Prerequisite:  LATN 101 or equivalent.

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

(Cross-listed as WLIT 232/432) In this course we read and discuss selections from Vergil’s poetry, looking briefly at the Eclogues and Georgics, but dealing primarily with the Aeneid. We consider language, style, and meter, and continue to build Latin vocabulary and reinforce the command of Latin grammar and syntax. Literary analysis and interpretation of the Aeneid as well as the performance aspect of Latin epic also features in class meetings. In addition to daily translation, course work includes vocabulary quizzes, two exams (midterm and final), a passage to memorize and recite, and a paper. Prerequisite:  LATN 201 or equivalent.

LATN 380/480 – Advanced Topics in Latin Literature: Augustine
MW 12:45-2:00, Ricardo Apostol

(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.