Course Catalog 2012-2013
Professor Timothy Hofmeister, Chair
Professor Timothy P. Hofmeister; Associate Professor Garrett Jacobsen; Assistant Professor Rebecca Kennedy; Academic Administrative Assistant Becky Woods
The Department of Classics offers courses in the languages and culture of classical antiquity. The curriculum focuses on traditional elements of classical philology in Greek and Latin, but at the same time, through the study of major classical authors and literary genres, students are introduced to the intellectual, social, and cultural milieu of classical antiquity. As a discipline with a long tradition in the liberal arts, we encourage interdisciplinary approaches to understanding, and we emphasize the development of analytical skills applicable in universal situations. From the Homeric world of gods and heroes to the politics and society of Imperial Rome, students become engaged with a civilization both familiar and alien, as they confront the continuities and discontinuities of western society. The department offers majors and minors in Classics (CLAS) ancient Greek (GRK), and in Latin (LAT).
The major in Classics (CLAS) is the traditional study of both classical languages, ancient Greek (GRK) and Latin (LAT). By studying both ancient Greek and Latin, students attain a more sophisticated comprehension of the Greco-Roman civilization which dominated the Mediterranean world of classical antiquity and then ultimately shaped the development and nature of modern western society. This major also gives the necessary preparation for graduate study in Classics, including the doctoral degree. To major in Classics, students must complete 32 credits in ancient Greek (GRK) and Latin (LAT), with a minimum of 12 credits in either ancient Greek (GRK) or Latin (LAT), 8 credits CLAS 201 and CLAS 202, or CLAS 301 (with appropriate topic as substitute for Ancient Greece and/or Ancient Rome), a minimum of 4 credits in Senior Research (CLAS 451-452), and the 1 credit Senior Classics Symposium (CLAS 440), including the Senior Comprehensive Examination. These courses do not require proficiency in either Greek or Latin. All readings are in English.
To minor in Classics, a student must complete 20 credits in ancient Greek (GRK) or Latin (LAT), with a minimum of 8 credits in either Greek (GRK) or Latin (LAT), 8 credits CLAS 201 and CLAS 202, or CLAS 301 (with appropriate topic as substitute for Ancient Greece and/or Ancient Rome). These courses do not require proficiency in either Greek or Latin. All readings are in English.
The major in ancient Greek (GRK) provides students with the skills and knowledge to read a variety of authors and genres, from Homeric Greek to the 'koine' of the New Testament. In addition to elementary and intermediate ancient Greek courses that may fulfill the General Education requirement in Foreign Languages, the curriculum focuses on the major authors and genres of ancient Greek literature, especially those of fifth century and fourth century BCE Athens. The 300 level seminars include the study of literature as a lens for understanding Hellenic culture, incorporating the concepts and methods of modern critical theory. The major in Greek will enable students to pursue post-undergraduate study in ancient Greek. However, those who are interested in a doctoral degree in Classics should be aware that undergraduate preparation must include the study of Latin beyond the elementary and intermediate levels. To major in ancient Greek, students must complete 24 credits in ancient Greek (GRK), 8 credits in Latin (LAT), 4 credits of either CLAS 201 or CLAS 301 (a topic related to Ancient Greece), a minimum of 4 credits of Senior Research (GRK 451-452), and the 1 credit Senior Classics Symposium (CLAS 440), including the Senior Comprehensive Examination.
To minor in ancient Greek, students must complete 20 credits in ancient Greek (GRK), and 4 credits of either CLAS 201 or CLAS 301 (a topic related to Ancient Greece)
Course Offerings in Ancient Greek.
Please consult Greek (GRK) section for course descriptions: Greek 111, 112, 211, 301, 302, 311, 312, 322, 331, 332, 341, 361-362, 363-364, 451-452, 461-462
The major in Latin (LAT) ideally enables a student to read fluently the language of ancient Rome and of authors and scholars from antiquity to the Renaissance. In addition to the elementary and intermediate Latin sequence that may fulfill the General Education requirement in Foreign Languages, the curriculum provides courses on the major authors and genres of Latin literature from Roman comedy to Silver Age poetry. Advanced courses are conducted as seminars, and students read significant works in Latin, as well as examining the appropriate historical and cultural contexts and relevant critical theories. The major in Latin will fully prepare students to teach the language at the secondary level, and it will provide the necessary foundation for post-undergraduate study of Latin. Students, however, who are interested in a doctoral degree in Classics, should be aware that undergraduate preparation must include a commensurate amount of study in ancient Greek. To major in Latin, students must complete 24 credits in Latin (LAT), 8 credits in ancient Greek (GRK), 4 credits of either CLAS 202 or CLAS 301 (a topic related to Ancient Rome), a minimum of 4 credits of Senior Research (LAT 451-452), and the 1 credit Senior Classics Symposium (CLAS 440), including the Senior Comprehensive Examination.
To minor in Latin, students must complete 20 credits in Latin (LAT), and 4 credits of either CLAS 202 or CLAS 301 (a topic related to Ancient Rome).
Course Offerings in Latin.
Please consult Latin (LAT) section for course descriptions.
Latin 111, 112, 211, 301, 302, 311, 312, 322, 331, 332, 341, 361-362, 363-364, 451-452, 461-462
Classical Culture (CLAS-101). This is an introductory course in the history and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on particular topics relating to classical culture, and emphasizing the analysis of textual and material evidence. 4
Ancient Greece (CLAS-201). An overview of Ancient Greek civilization from the Bronze Age to the period following the death of Alexander the Great. Greek culture was a Mediterranean phenomenon that spread in antiquity from the Aegean through Egypt and central Asia to India and became the core of education for European and American students during the 18th and 19th centuries. The course focuses on the major social and political institutions (such as the creation of the first democracy) as well as the intellectual and artistic achievements of the Greeks. 4
Ancient Rome (CLAS-202). A survey of Roman civilization from both an historical and cultural perspective. Chronologically, the course traces the development of the "eternal city" from a tiny village of mud and straw along the banks of the Tiber River in central Italy to the city of marble and bronze dominating the Mediterranean world and beyond. Culturally, we consider Rome's legacy to the western world in terms of its social and political institutions, as well as its intellectual and artistic achievements. 4
Classical Mythology (CLAS-221). This course is a study of the mythology of classical antiquity, with an emphasis on its representations in literature and art, and its relationship to the practice and rituals of Greek and Roman religion. 4
Topics in Classical Antiquity (CLAS-301). Seminar course on a particular era or topic in Greco-Roman antiquity. Topics rotate by semester, but have included: ‘Women in Antiquity,’ ‘Race and Ethnicity in Antiquity,’ ‘Ancient Democracies,’ and ‘Greek and Roman Drama.’ This course may be taken more than once. 4
Directed Study (CLAS-361). 1-4
Directed Study (CLAS-362). 1-4
Independent Study (CLAS-363). 1-4
Independent Study (CLAS-364). 1-4
Senior Classics Symposium (CLAS-440). This is a required course for senior majors in Classics, ancient Greek or Latin. It is a seminar providing an overview of Greek and Roman culture in preparation for the Senior Comprehensive examinations. 1