99005

CLAS 242   Classical Mythology

William Mullen

. T . Th .

1:00 -2:20 pm

OLIN 204

FLLC

This course will introduce students to selected myths of ancient Greece and Rome, through texts in a variety of genres—epic, lyric, dramatic, ancient prose summaries.  Selections will be made along the lines of a few of the principal activities in which gods, heroes and mortals all engage and can thus be compared, e.g. war (in the sky and on the earth); speech (the way gods are shown addressing mortals and the actual hymns and prayers in which the ancients addressed their gods); love (everything from lust and rape to affection and amorousness, between gods and humans as well as within each group). Readings (all in English translation) are largely of primary texts from Greek and Roman literature, with occasional texts for comparison from two other sets of cultures: first, the Indo-European cousins of the Greeks and Romans, e.g. Sanskrit, Norse and Irish texts; second, the complex Near Eastern civilizations with whom they interacted, primarily Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts.  Along the way, we shall examine and practice deploying various theoretical approaches to myth: psychological, ritual, structuralist, ideological, catastrophist, environmentalist.  No previous background is required.

 

99231

ARTH 201   Greek Art and Architecture

Diana Minsky

. T . Th .

4:00 -5:20 pm

OLIN 102

AART

This class traces the evolution of Greek sculpture, vase painting, and architecture from the Bronze Age through the Hellenistic Age. Topics include the development of nude sculpture, the depiction of myths and daily life in painting, and the political alliances and institutions which shaped Greek architecture. The stylistic vocabulary and icongraphy set forth in this class both expressed contemporary beliefs and laid the foundation for future Western art and architecture. Requirements include two quizzes, two papers, a mid-term, and a final. Open to all students.

 

A double-credit Intensive Beginning Greek will be offered in the Spring semester, therefore Beginning Greek will not be offered in Fall '09.

 

99014

GRE 201   Intermediate Greek

Carolyn Dewald

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FLLC

Who was Socrates, and how did he single-handedly revolutionize Greek philosophic thought?  We will read selections from Plato, Xenophon and Aristophanes as we explore these questions.  Review of grammar, syntax and morphology will help strengthen students’ command of the language.

 

99015

GRE 301   Advanced Greek

Carolyn Dewald

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FLLC

Topic and meeting times will be arranged to suit the interests and schedules of participating students.   

 

99013

HIST / CLAS 157   The Athenian Century

Carolyn Dewald

. T . Th .

2:30 -3:50 pm

OLIN 202

HIST

In the fifth century BCE, Athens dramatically developed from a small, relatively unimportant city-state into a dominant power in the Aegean basin. Athenian political, artistic, literary, and intellectual traditions continue to reverberate through the world today: democracy, tragedy and comedy, rhetoric, philosophy, and history itself, as well as the classical style of sculpture and architecture stem from this remarkable culture. The course will confront some of the ambiguities and tensions (slavery, exclusion of women and non-citizens from political power), as well as the glories, of Athenian art, literature, and history during this period. We will read selections from the histories of Herodotus and Thucydides, many of the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, the comedies of Aristophanes, and one or two dialogues of Plato.   

 

99017

LAT 101   Elementary Latin I

James Romm

M T W Th .

9:20 - 10:20 am

OLIN 310

FLLC

The first semester of a yearlong introduction to Classical Latin. Our goals are: (1) to gain familiarity with morphology, syntax, and essential vocabulary; (2) to achieve sufficient fluency for selected  short readings from ancient authors in both prose and poetry; and (3)  to begin exploring the conventions of Latin literature and the  contexts, both cultural and historical, of ancient Rome. By the middle of the second semester, we will have reached a reading level adequate to begin study of a literary and/or historical text.  No prerequisites.   

 

99103

LAT 201   Intermediate Latin

William Mullen

M   W    .

12:000 - 1:20 pm

OLIN 302

FLLC

Lucretius’ long poem is one of the fullest surviving accounts of Epicurean philosophy and, equally, a work of astonishing artistic achievement. We read substantial portions of the poem in Latin, the entire poem in English, and modern scholarly works. Our goals are: (1) to solidify knowledge of vocabulary, morphology, and syntax; (2) to gain greater fluency in reading Latin, especially Latin poetry; and  (3) to consider from a variety of critical perspectives issues raised by the poem’s form and content.  Open to first-year students with the requisite basis in high school Latin.

 

99104

LAT 301   Advanced Latin: Lucretius

William Mullen

M   W    .

12:000 - 1:20 pm

OLIN 302

FLLC

See description above.  Students in 301 are responsible for additional work in the Latin and in criticism. Prerequisite: successful completion of Latin 202, or permission of instructor.    

 

99186

REL 140   Sanskrit

Richard Davis

. T W Th .

9:20 - 10:20 am

OLIN 101

FLLC

Cross-listed:  Asian Studies, Classical Studies   Sanskrit is the language of ancient India, the language in which such works as the Bhagavad Gita, the great Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, and the Upanisads were written.  In this course students will learn the grammar and syntax of Classical Sanskrit and acquire a working vocabulary.  In the second semester students will read substantial portions of original texts in Sanskrit.   Religion program category: Interpretive.