Classics Courses
Fall 2011

CC 220-001  Classical Mythology (3)
M/W,  2:30 - 3:50 PM
J. Westerhold

CC 220-002  Classical Mythology (3)
T/TH,  3:40 - 5:00 PM
J. Westerhold

A study of the important myths in Greek and Roman culture, with attention to their religious, psychological, and historical origins.  Comparative mythology, structural analysis, modern psychological interpretations and the development of classical myths in Western literature and art receive attention.

CC 365  Sacred Places/Ritual Spaces (4)
M/W  2:30 - 3:50 PM
Leslie Mechem

Although the boundary between sacred and secular space was less rigid in ancient Greece, sanctuaries were areas set aside specifically for encountering the divine. This seminar will explore a number of questions associated with Greek sanctuaries from their inception in the 8^th century B.C. through the Hellenistic period. Such questions include what physically constituted a Greek sanctuary, what sorts of rituals and religious practices occurred in the sanctuary, and what the social functions of these sites were. We will explore the fundamentals of Greek religion for the first few weeks and then focus on specific sanctuaries: two of the four Panhellenic sites, one of which also served as an oracular shrine (Olympia, Delphi), the healing cult of Asklepios at Epidauros, and the Eleusinian mysteries. In our examination of Olympia, Delphi, Epidauros, and Eleusis, we will discuss in detail the archaeological and art historical composition of the site as well as examine the particular types of religious practice associated with that sanctuary.  In doing so we will gain a better understanding of the functions of the sanctuary and the central role it played in Greek society.

CG 110  Elementary Greek (4)
M - 10:10 - 11:05 AM & T/TH - 9:40 - 11:00 AM
L. Mechem

Why study ancient Greek? To study Greek is to study ourselves as creators, leaders, thinkers and as humans. Greek sharpens awareness and understanding of how languages work and offers speakers of English the opportunity to rediscover their own language; over thirty percent of all English words (particularly those of the sciences and humanities) are formed from ancient Greek roots. Students in this course will acquire the basics of Greek grammar through reading selections from a variety of authors and texts, including Aesop, Plato, Herodotus, and the New Testament.


CG 311  Herodotus: Father of History, Father of Lies (4)
T/Th 2:10 - 3:30 PM
Michael Arnush

Labelled both as the "Father of History" and the "Father of Lies," Herodotus, the world's first historian, has had a profound effect on a variety of disciplines and areas of intellectual inquiry: ethnography, archaeology, linguistics, literature, narratology, sociology, anthropology and gender studies. We will examine Herodotus and his Histories from a number of these perspectives and assess his contributions to western thought. We will focus on Herodotus the story-teller and Herodotus the chronicler of the Persian Wars – and read and watch Frank Miller's 300 and Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire for other presentations of the Greek-Persian conflict.

CL 110-001  Elementary Latin (4)
M  10:10-11:05 AM  &  T/TH, 9:40-11:00 AM
J. Westerhold

CL 110-002  Elementary Latin (4)
M  10:10 - 11:05  &  T/TH  9:40 - 11:00
D. Curley

Latin, the root of the Romance languages of French, Spanish and Italian, and the language of the sciences and medicine, lies at the heart of Western civilization. The study of Latin and Roman culture leads to a greater understanding of our own literature and civilization, improves writing and reading skills, and helps to develop precise thinking. Students in this course will acquire the basics of Latin grammar and vocabulary while reading selected prose passages and poems by Cicero, Catullus, Vergil, Martial and Caesar.
 

CL 310  Love, Death, and Springtime (4)
T/TH, 11:10-12:30 PM   Fourth hour: TBA
David Porter

A study of Greece with a focus on Athens from the Mycenaean age to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. Students examine the heroic age, the development of the city-state, the origins of democracy, the nature of imperialism, intellectual and cultural achievements, economic conditions, and family life. Special emphasis is given to the study of the ancient sources: literary, historiographic, archaeological, and numismatic. (Fulfills Social Sciences requirement) Prerequisite: None.

Scribner Seminar Program.  (4)
Classics on Film
T/TH  2:10 - 3:30 & M  7:00 - 7:55 PM
Dan Curley

Gladiator. Troy. 300.  HBO's Rome.  These are only the most recent examples of the Greco-Roman world on film.  The relationship between the film industry and antiquity — sometimes vexing, sometimes exhilarating, always fascinating — is the subject of this course.  Students will explore the cinematic classics of the Classics, not only comparing the original materials with their motion picture counterparts, but also developing their own sense of film literacy.  Are we not entertained?