Classics Courses
Spring 2016

 

Greek and Latin

CG 110: ELEMENTARY GREEK (4 Cr.)
M 12:20-1:15, TuTh 12:40-2:00
Dan Curley

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 English speakers the opportunity to rediscover their own language; over 30% 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. Prerequisite: None

 

CG 310: SEMINAR IN GREEK POETRY: HOMER AND THEOCRITUS (4 Cr.)
TuTh 8:10-9:30
Michael Arnush and Ben Jasnow

Homer’s Odyssey and the works of the Hellenistic poet Theocritus are the focus of our study. We will begin with portions of book 1 to see how Homer handles the introduction to the narrative, and then read Odysseus’ own story, covering the fateful confrontation between him and the Cyclops Polyphemus. We will conclude with reading some works by Theocritus, who responded to the Homeric epics in his own unique style. Students will read the poems inmeter and examine scholarship that deals with the literary qualities of epic and bucolic poetry, the society of Homeric Greece, and the reception of the Odyssey in the Hellenistic age. Prerequisite: CG 210 or permission of the instructor

 

CL 210: INTERMEDIATE LATIN (4 Cr.)
M 11:15-12:10, TuTh 11:10-12:30 
Ben Jasnow

Students will refine their mastery of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. We will explore the lives of women and slaves, warriors and drunks, the role of the family and education in Roman life, religion, justice and Christianity. We will then read selections of Latin prose and poetry. Prerequisite: CL 110 or permission of the instructor.

 

CL 310: SEMINAR IN LATIN POETRY: ROMAN SATIRE(4 Cr.)
MW 4:00-5:20
Dan Curley

Sex, food, travel, religion, idiots, misers, lawyers, pimps, and sluts: these are all the topics and targets of satire, the only genre which the Romans have a claim to inventing themselves. Our seminar will focus on the satires of Horace and Juvenal, and some of Martial’s epigrams for good measure — a veritable buffet of Rome’s best and worst.  We’ll also look at modern satire, which is no less subversive and tends to cover its own tracks. Prerequisite: CL 210 or permission of instructor.

Classics in English

CC 200: CLASSICAL WORLD (4 Cr.)
MWF 1:25-2:20
Leslie Mechem

This class offers an introduction to classical antiquity for students interested in ancient Greece and Rome, the impact of antiquity on Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and a general background in the Western tradition. This interdisciplinary course, team-taught by faculty from the Classics Department, includes studies in literature (epic, dramatic, and lyric poetry, rhetoric, and fiction), history and historiography, art and architecture, philosophy and political theory. Podcasts, travel to NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the annual David H. Porter Lecture all complement the course. Fulfills Humanities requirement. Prerequisite: None.

 

CC 220: CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY (3 Cr.)
MW 2:30-3:50
Leslie Mechem

What defines a myth? Who are the major deities and what are the foundational myths of ancient Greece? What is the social and historical context of these myths? Did the Greeks believe that the tales of Troy and the heroes were true? How should we interpret these stories? These are a few of the questions we will consider in our exploration of classical mythology. Through text and image we will investigate gods, heroes, and heroines to acquire an understanding of the critical role myth played in the lives of the Greeks and how those stories still resonate today. Fulfills the Humanities requirement. Prerequisite: None. 

 

CC 223: : SOCIETY ON THE STAGE: GREEK & ROMAN COMEDY (3 Cr.)
TuTh 3:40-5:00
Dan Curley

The comedians of ancient Athens and Rome were poets of elegance, anger, obscenity, and morality. Despite these often contradictory messages, their plays have stood the test of time. In this course we survey the works of Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus and Terence. We approach the plays from different perspectives and contexts—historical, cultural, theatrical—in order to understand better how they function, not only as plays, but also as artifacts of individual artists and their societies. In addition, we augment our survey with the testimonies of a tragedian, Euripides, some of whose plays fall between comedy and tragedy. Fulfill the Humanities requirement. Prerequisite: None. 

  

CC 227: RACE & ETHNICITY IN ANCIENT GREECE & BEYOND (3 Cr.)
MWF 10:10-11:05
Jasnow

We will investigate the roles of race and ethnicity in ancient Greece and compare subsequent Roman and modern western notions. Some key points of inquiry will include: How did the Greeks conceive of race? How does this compare to modern constructs? What is a “barbarian”? How do the ancient Greeks conceive of and experience various non-Greek peoples? What makes a Greek a “Greek” in the first place? What ethnic differences exist among the Greeks themselves? How do Roman conceptions of race and ethnicity compare to Greek? How have modern Western societies perpetuated, manipulated or resisted ancient models of race and ethnicity? The main course materials will be great works of Classical literature and art, supplemented by modern and contemporary scholarship, literature, art and popular culture. Fulfill the Cultural Diversity requirement. Prerequisite: None. 

 

CC 395: THE CLASSICS MAJOR AND BEYOND (1 Cr.)
By arrangement
Michael Arnush

"Classics? What are you going to do with that?" In this transitional course, senior majors will reflect on their work in the Classics curriculum and look ahead to life as Skidmore graduates. Working both individually and collaboratively, students will examine the relevance of classical studies to continuing intellectual, cultural, and civic engagement; explore options for future work and study; compile a portfolio documenting and evaluating coursework in the Classics major; and strengthen the presentation and communication skills essential to professional success. Prerequisite: Senior standing as a Classics major. Must be taken S/U.

 

History and Art History

HI 206: FALL OF ROME (3 Cr.)
MWF 11:15-12:10
Michael Arnush

Students examine the Roman empire, from its foundation by the first emperor Augustus until the sack of the city of Rome and the empire’s demise. We will study the family of Julio-Claudian emperors – Caligula, Nero, and others – and as well succeeding emperors; political intrigue in the imperial court; the development of an imperial mindset and responses to it in the provinces; the multiculturalism of the empire; social and political institutions; the rise of Christianity; and the end of the largest empire the world had ever seen. Fulfills Social Sciences requirement. Prerequisite: None.

 

AH 223: ROMAN ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY (3 Cr.)
TuTh 2:10-3:30 
Leslie Mechem

An examination of architecture, sculpture, and painting beginning with the Villanovan and Etruscan cultures and continuing through the Republic and Empire (fourth century A.D.).  Topics covered include wall painting, narrative sculpture, and city planning. Fulfills Humanities requirement. Prerequisite: None.