CLASSICS

CLSC 204. Heroes and Hustlers in Latin Literature (3 Units) Timothy Wutrich, TR 11:30 – 12:45
(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.

CLSC 222. Classical Tradition 2: Birth of Archaeology (3 Units) Florin Berindeanu and Charles Burroughs, TR 2:45 – 4:00
(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.

CLSC 232. Roman Civilization (3 Units) Kevin Dicus, MWF 2:00 – 2:50
(Cross-listed as HSTY 232)

The enduring significance of the Romans studied through their history, literature, art, and philosophy. Lectures and discussion.

CLSC 295A. Greek and Latin Elements in English: The Basic Course (1.5 Unit) Timothy Wutrich, TR 2:45 – 4:00

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 (1.5 Unit) Timothy Wutrich, TR 2:45 – 4:00

(See CLSC 295A.) Advanced section that is oriented especially toward scientific and medical terminology. Prereq or Coreq: CLSC 295A.

CLSC 311. Rome: City and Image (3 Units) Kevin Dicus, MWF 3:00 – 3:50
(Cross-listed as ARTH 311/411)

This course studies the architectural and urban history of Rome from the republican era of the ancient city up to the eighteenth century using the city itself as the major “text.” The emphasis will be placed on the extraordinary transformations wrought in the city, or at least in key districts, by powerful rulers and/or elites, especially in the ancient empire and in the Renaissance and baroque eras. In a larger perspective, the great construction projects exerted a far-reaching effect within and beyond Europe, but we will study them in relation to their topographical situation, their functions, and their place in a long history of variations on prestigious themes since many of the artworks and the urban settings featured in the course carry the mark of the Long history of the city itself. Recommended preparation: At least one 200-level course in ANTH, ARTH, CLSC, ENGL, HSTY, or RLGN.

CLSC 312. Women in the Ancient World (3 Units) Rachel Sternberg, MW 12:30 -1:45
(Cross-listed as WGST 312)

The course offers a chronological survey of women’s lives in Greece, Hellenistic Egypt, and Rome. It focuses on primary sources as well as scholarly interpretations of the ancient record with a view to defining the construction of gender and sexuality according to the Greco-Roman model. Additionally, the course aims to demonstrate how various methodological approaches have yielded significant insights into our own perception of sex and gender. Specific topics include matriarchy and patriarchy; the antagonism between male and female in myth; the legal, social, economic, and political status of women; the ancient family; women’s role in religion and cult; ancient theories of medicine regarding women; paderasty and homosexuality.

CLSC 320. Departmental Seminar: Alexander the Great (3 Units) Paul Iversen, TR 10:00 – 11:15
(Cross-listed as HSTY 320)

This course is the Classics Departmental Seminar in the SAGES sequence, though it can also be taken for regular credit in Classics or History. The seminar on Alexander the Great is normally taken in the Spring semester of junior year, and offers students a firm grounding in the diverse materials, methods, and approaches that can be brought to bear on the study of Greco-Roman antiquity and of its legacy up to today. Alexander’s career is urgently relevant today for two primary reasons: the establishment of new forms of interaction between European/”western” and Asian/”eastern” civilizations; and the idea of global domination, wedding Greek and Asian as well as African (Egyptian) conceptions of rule and governance. Beyond the exploration of the ancient world of, or shaped by, Alexander, we will focus also on the reception of the historical figure, i.e., on the sometimes fantastic image of Alexander diffused in later epochs (Islamic, medieval) as well as on the more critical but often ideologically slanted early modern approach. Because of the expansion of the scope of the seminar (as of Alexander himself) beyond Europe and the critical examination of the traditional separation of East and West–or the three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia) distinguished in antiquity–this course qualifies as a Global and Cultural Diversity course. Counts as SAGES Departmental Seminar.

CLSC 324/424. Epic: The Sublime and Terrible in Literature (3 Units) Florin Berindeanu, TR 1:15 – 2:30
(Cross-listed as WLIT 324/424)

The course focuses on the epic genre that dominates the dawn of Western literature as well as the literary traditions of much of the rest of the world. From the Homeric epic to the Middle Ages and deep into the Renaissance, there was a collective urge to record both in verse and in prose extraordinary adventures with exceptional heroes as central figures. Thus, the epic genre typically encouraged variations in the aesthetic treatment of the hero that eventually came to define distinct categories within the genre. “Sublime” and “terrible” are common notions in the aesthetics of classicism, from antiquity to the early modern period. Authors studied in the course include such key figures in the creation and development of epic as Homer, Virgil, Ovid, Gotffried von Strassburg, Dante, and Cervantes. The works of these authors exemplify, on the one hand, the aesthetic directions mentioned above and, on the other hand, provide opportunities for using the close engagement with particular texts to illuminate wider cultural fields, in which various aesthetic perceptions of social, political, and religious reality coexist and therefore stimulate remarkable innovations in the standard epic narrative.

GREEK

GREK 102. Elementary Greek II (3 Units) Rachel Sternberg, MWF 10:30 – 11:20

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. Prereq: GREK 101 or equivalent.

GREK 202/402. Introduction to Greek Poetry (3 Units) Rachel Sternberg, MWF 2:00 – 2:50

Primarily readings from Homer, Hesiod, and Theocritus. Selections from Greek lyric may be introduced at the instructor’s discretion. Prereq: GREK 201 or equivalent.

 GREK 370/470. Greek Prose Composition (3 Units) Paul Iversen, TR 11:30 – 12:45

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. Prereq: GREK 202.

LATIN

LATN 102. Elementary Latin II (3 Units) Kevin Dicus, MWF 11:30 – 12:20

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

LATN 202/402. Vergil (3 Units) Timothy Wutrich, TR 4:30 – 5:45

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 354/454. Drama (3 Units) Paul Iversen, TR 2:45 – 4:00

Reading of at least one play each by Plautus and Terence. Attention to the history of Latin and Greek New Comedy, and the contrasting styles of the two authors. Prereq: LATN 202 or equivalent.