Classics courses and programs

MINOR in classical studies is 24 credits earned as follows:

• 18 from Classics, Latin, or Greek; or PHIL 1601
• 6 from Classics, Latin, or Greek at the 3/4000 level

Students may choose a minor program with an emphasis on ancient history, classical literature, or art and archaeology.

MINOR in Greek is 24 credits earned as follows:

• 18 from GREK 1001, 1101, 2001, 2101, and Greek at the 3000 level
• 6 from Greek, Latin, or Classics

MINOR in Latin is 24 credits earned as follows:

• 18 from LATI 1001, 1101, 2001, 2101, and Latin at the 3000 level
• 6 from Greek, Latin, or Classics

MAJOR in classical studies is 60 credits earned as follows:

• 6 from LATI 1001, 1101, GREK 1001, 1101 3
• 6 from Classics, Greek, Latin, of which 24 must be from the 3/4000 level
• 18 from complementary courses in Arts and Letters and Humanities (or others), chosen in consultation with the program advisor

HONOURS in classical studies is 72 credits earned as follows:

• 12 from LATI 1001, 1101, GREK 1001, 1101
• 6 from LATI 2001, 2101, GREK 2001, 2101
• 6 from Greek/Latin at the 3000/4000 level OR CLAS 4950/4951
• 48 from Classics/Greek/Latin, of which 33 must be at the 3/4000 level

CLAS 1631:  Greece & Rome: The Foundations of Western Civilization
Instructor: F. Amiro

The political and social history of ancient Greece and Rome will be surveyed with a focus on the themes of Law, Politics, War, and Society. Special attention will be paid to Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C.E. and to Rome under Caesar Augustus. (3 credits) [Note: This course is cross-listed with HIST 1631 and may therefore count as 3 credits in either discipline.] (Format: Lecture 3 Hours)


CLAS 2411:  Hero’s Quest: Greek and Roman Epic Poetry
Instructor: C. Forstall

This course presents the canonical works of the Greek and Roman Epic traditions: the Trojan war and the rage of Achilles, the wanderings of Odysseus, Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece, and Aeneas' search for a Roman homeland. Students read the original authors in English translation: Homer, Virgil, and Apollonius of Rhodes. The course also introduces key analytical skills necessary for research in the humanities, with a special focus on critical close reading, effective argumentation, and citation of primary sources. (3 credits) (Format: Lecture 3 Hours)


CLAS 2501:  Introduction to Archaeology
Instructor:  I. Battiloro

An introduction to the methods of archaeological excavation. This course aims to acquaint the student with the theory and basic techniques of archaeology. Examples showing both past and present archaeological research done in the Old and New Worlds will be used to illustrate the topics under discussion. (3 credits) (Format: Lecture 3 Hours)


CLAS 3021: Conquest and Expansion
Instructor: F. Amiro

An examination of the development of Rome from a small city-state into the leading power in the Mediterranean. Main themes include the conflict between Rome and Carthage, the conquest of the Hellenistic East, and the political and social changes in Roman society. There will be an emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of primary sources in translation. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed with HIST 3021 and may therefore count as 3 credits in either discipline.] (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) Requisites: Second-year standing; 3 credits from CLAS, HIST at the 1/2000 level; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


CLAS 3401: Lyric Poetry of Greece & Rome
Instructor: C. Forstall

A study of Greek and Roman poetry that expresses universal feelings of love and fear, celebration and personal aspiration. The course will examine the themes and forms of lyric poetry, as well as the role of the poet in society. The poems of Sappho, Archilochus, Pindar, Catullus, Propertius, Ovid, and others will be read in English translation. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) Requisites: Second-year standing; 3 credits from CLAS, HIST at the 1/2000 level; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


CLAS 3731: Roman Art and Archaeology
Instructor: I. Battioro

This course introduces the artistic, architectural, and archaeological monuments of the Roman world from the eighth century BC to the fifth century AD. It traces Roman art and architecture from its early origins under Etruscan influence through to the periods of the Roman Republic and Principate. It engages monuments and artifacts within their political, economic, religious, intellectual, and social context. This approach provides a framework for a more comprehensive understanding of art and artistic movements in their diachronic development. [Note 1: This course may count as 3 credits in Art History only towards the BA programs in Fine Arts and Art History. Note 2: This course is cross-listed with VMCS 3731 and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.] (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) (Exclusions: CLAS 3701, CLAS 3711) Requisites: Second-year standing; 3 credits from CLAS, ARTH (or FINH), HIST at the 1/2000 level; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


CLAS 3991:  Spoils of War in the Ancient Mediterranean
Instructor: J. Orchard

This course focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings in the department. [Note: Students may register for CLAS 3991 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Variable)  Requisites: 6 credits from CLAS, LATI, GREK; or Permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


GREK 2001: Intermediate Greek
Instructor: C. Forstall

This course introduces students to the reading of unadapted passages from ancient authors. While the emphasis is on developing a fluency in reading Greek, it also reviews basic Greek grammar and presents some more advanced grammar and syntax. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) Requisites: GREK 1101; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


LATI 1001: Introductory Latin I
Instructor:  I. Battiloro

An introduction to basic Latin grammar and vocabulary for students with no previous knowledge of the language. This course is based on readings which present not only the fundamentals of Latin but also the Roman world in which it was used. Some effort is made to show the connections between Latin and modern languages (English, French, Spanish). Three class periods per week, plus a fourth hour to be arranged after classes have begun. (3 credits) (Format: Lecture 3 Hours, Tutorial 1 Hour) (Exclusion: LATI 1000)


LATI 2001: Intermediate Latin
Instructor: F. Amiro
This course introduces students to the reading of unadapted passages from ancient authors. While the emphasis is on developing a fluency in reading Latin, it also reviews basic Latin grammar and presents some more advanced grammar and syntax. Prereq: LATI 1101; or permission of the Department. Format: Lecture 3 Hours.
 

CLAS 1651:  Classic Mythology: Gods, Goddesses, and the Creation of Order
Instructor: C. Forstall

An introduction to the gods and goddesses of classical myth in the literature, art, and religion of ancient Greece and Rome. The course will examine cosmogonies and divine myths in order to shed light on the views held by the Greeks and Romans about the nature of the relationship between mortal and immortal. (3 credits) Format:  Lecture 3 Hours.


CLAS 2021:  Alexander the Great
Instructor:  F. Amiro

An examination of the career of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic era that followed his conquest of the eastern Mediterranean. Among the main themes included will the goals of Alexander, the new political climate of kingship and patronage that he helped create, the interaction of the Greeks with the civilizations of Egypt and the East, and the integration of new cultural ideas into Greek society. (3 credits) [Note: This course is cross-listed with HIST 2021 and may therefore count as 3 credits in either discipline.] Format:  Lecture 3 Hours Exclusion: CLAS/HIST 3011.


CLAS 2521: The Archaeology of Daily Life in the Greek and Roman World
Instructor:  I. Battiloro

An examination of the evidence used by archaeologists to recreate the social history of ancient Greece and Rome. The course will consider how archaeology can shed light on such topics as the lives of men, women, and children; the home; government; the economy; the army; and entertainment. (3 credits) Format:  Lecture 3 Hours


CLAS 3031: The Roman Empire
Instructor: F. Amiro

An examination of the history of imperial Rome from the age of Augustus to that of Constantine. Main themes include the imperial form of government, the Roman army, urban development and its impact on society, and the conflicts between Romans and other cultures. There will be an emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of primary sources in translation. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed with HIST 3031 and may therefore count as 3 credits in either discipline.] (Format: Lecture 3 Hours)  Requisites: Second-year standing; 3 credits from CLAS, HIST at the 1/2000 level; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


CLAS 3421: Roman Horror
Instructor: C. Forstall

This course is an intensive study of the poetry of the period after Augustus, especially Epic and Tragedy. It examines themes of excess, spectacle, violence, and belatedness through intensive primary readings, informed by consideration of the political and philosophical conditions of the period and, above all, of earlier literary traditions. (Format: Lecture 3 hours) (Exclusion: CLAS 3991 Roman Horror) Requisites: CLAS 2411; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


CLAS 3721: Art and Archaeology of Pompeii
Instructor: I. Battiloro

This course closely examines the archaeological remains from the city of Pompeii in the Bay of Naples: its road system, sewers, public markets, cult places, burial monuments, brothels, bathhouses, political buildings, and houses and residential areas. It pays special attention to the occupation phases of the city before the foundation of the Roman colony in 80 BC, and the impact that the Roman conquest of Pompeii had on its architectural and artistic forms. It also explores the 'hidden history' of Pompeii as a means to raise awareness about the role of material culture in giving voice to cultures and communities that have not left written sources to us. [Note 1: This course may count as 3 credits in Art History only towards the BA programs in Fine Arts and Art History. Note 2: This course is cross-listed with VMCS 3721 and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.] (Format: Lecture 3 Hours)


GREK 2101: Intro Readings in Greek Literature
Instructor: C. Forstall

A reading of selected works by Greek authors. This course will acquaint the student with some of the forms of ancient prose and poetry. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) Requisites: GREK 2001; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.


LATI 1101: Introductory Latin II
Instructor: J. Orchard

A continuation of the study of the Latin language. While adding new grammar, this course concentrates on reading comprehension and vocabulary building. Three class periods per week, plus a fourth hour to be arranged after classes have begun. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours, Tutorial 1 Hour) (Exclusion: LATI 1000) Prereq: LATI 1001; or permission of the Department.


LATI 2101: Readings in Latin Literature
Instructor: TBA

A reading of selected works by Latin authors. This course will acquaint the student with some of the forms of ancient prose and poetry. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) Prereq: LATI 2001; or permission of the Department - Must be completed prior to taking this course.