91508

CLAS / HIST  100   

 Ancient History

Carolyn Dewald

M . W . .

3:10 pm -4:30 pm

OLIN 201

HIST

Cross-listed:  Classical Studies The course has two main purposes: first, to see how much is implied by the notion of historical causation and what it means to 'think historically'; second, to gain a sense of the way the foundations of western culture were first shaped in the Near East and then developed quite distinctively in the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome.  We will begin with the beginnings of recorded civilization in the Near East about 7000 BCE and will move fairly quickly through the Neolithic period, to the urban revolution of the third millennium (early Bronze Age). The focus then will sharpen to the Mediterranean basin: Greece (c.1600-320 BCE) and Rome (c. 600 BCE-430 CE).  The main emphasis of the course will be on these latter two cultures and understanding how they came to be shaped in quite different and distinctive ways.  We will also, however, focus on the chronological and causal sweep of ancient Mediterranean culture as a whole, from its first beginnings to the death of St. Augustine, with the Vandals storming the gates of Carthage.  We will look at underlying features of geography and demography, archaeology (and how to read archaeological remains historically), developments in technology and trade, religion, politics, family organization, communities and governments,  art and literacy -- and we will try to consider how all these different kinds of causally-linked factors come together in different ways, at different points in the chronological and geographical continuum of the ancient Mediterranean world. Class size: 25

 

91517

CLAS  231   

 The Age of Augustus: POETRY, POLITICS AND POWER

Lauren Curtis

M . W . .

3:10 pm -4:30 pm

OLINLC 210

FLLC

Cross-listed: Literature;  Historical Studies   The reign of Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE) redefined the political and social landscape of Rome and laid claim to a flourishing of the arts that would profoundly influence Western civilization.  This course investigates the phenomenon of Augustan Rome from an interdisciplinary perspective, examining how the intersection of literature, art, politics and propaganda came to define an era and an emperor. Readings (all in English translation) will include the poetry of Virgil, Ovid, Horace and Propertius, and prose authors such as Livy, Suetonius and the emperor himself, alongside case-studies in architecture, sculpture, coinage and wall painting.  Class size: 22

 

91995

ARTH  210   

ROMAN Art and Architecture

Diana DePardo-Minsky

. T . Th .

4:40 pm -6:00 pm

OLIN 102

AART

 

91904

HIST  2110   

 Early Middle Ages

Alice Stroup

. T . Th .

10:10 am -11:30 am

OLIN 203

HIST

 

91891

REL  241   

 Myth and Arts of India

Richard Davis

. T . Th .

10:10 am - 11:30 am

OLIN 204

HUM

 

GREEK

Please note that Intensive Greek will be offered in the Fall, and the equivalent beginners' level course in Latin, Intensive Latin, will be offered in the Spring.

 

91503

GRE  106   

 Intensive Greek

James Romm /

Lauren Curtis

M T W Th *

10:10 am -12:30 pm

OLIN 310

FLLC

8 credits This course will make it possible for students with no background in ancient language to read Homer, Plato, Greek tragedy, Herodotus, and other classical texts after one semester's intensive work.  Daily drill and frequent quizzes, together with ample access to tutoring and extra help, ensure that students stay on track as they master Greek grammar and vocabulary.    At this pace, students will begin reading short selections from classical authors after only a few weeks and longer passages by midterm.  Those wishing to enroll in this course must consult with Prof. Romm or attend the informational meeting in late April. First-year students will be admitted only if they have prior successful experience with language learning; other first-years are encouraged to take Intensive Beginning Latin in the Spring semester if they desire to learn an ancient language.  *There will also be an exam hour on Fridays, TBD.  Class size: 15

 

91505

GRE  201   

 Intermediate Greek: HERODOTUS AND BEYOND

Carolyn Dewald

. T . Th .

11:50 am -1:10 pm

OLIN 302

FLLC

We will read the first book of Herodotus' Histories, paying close attention both to the formal aspects of his language and to the historiographical implications of his narrative. Herodotus is 'the father of history' -- we will explore how and why history-writing began as it did, in his hands. Mid-semester the students will choose whether to continue with Herodotus' fifth-century Ionic narrative or to move to Plato's Apology, and Attic Greek.  Throughout the semester we will both be discussing fifth-century Greek culture and developing greater control over grammatical forms and syntax.  Class size: 8

 

LATIN

 

91504

LAT  201   

 INTERMEDIATE LATIN: VERGIL’S AENEID

Carolyn Dewald

. T . Th .

1:30 pm -2:50 pm

OLIN 306

FLLC

Vergil's Aeneid is the greatest Roman epic; we will read large portions of the first half of the epic in Latin, concentrating on increasing the students' confidence in negotiating Latin forms and syntax, but also in exploring the literary genius of Vergil -- the poem's themes and literary characteristics (figures of speech, structure, tropes, depiction of character, construction of the action, etc.). We will also read the Aeneid in its entirety in English.  Class size: 15

 

91518

 

LAT  305   

 Advanced Latin: the Origins of Rome

Lauren Curtis

M . W . .

1:30 pm -2:50 pm

OLINLC 210

FLLC

This course examines how Romans of the Augustan age conceived of the origins of their city, their culture, and their history. We will proceed via a close reading in Latin of book one of Livy’s monumental historical work, Ab Urbe Condita, which treats Rome’s earliest history up to the founding of the Republic in 509 BCE. Written while Rome was in the midst of a new foundation under Augustus, Livy’s work contributed to a vigorous contemporary debate—shared by fellow writers such as Virgil, Propertius, and Ovid—about Roman origins. In addition to our careful reading of the Latin, emphasis will be placed on developing a range of critical approaches to Livy’s text.  This course is offered at both the 300 and 400 level. Prerequisite: 200-level Latin, or permission of the instructor. 

Class size: 15

 

91530

 

LAT  405   

 Advanced Latin: the Origins of Rome

Lauren Curtis

M . W . .

1:30 pm -2:50 pm

OLINLC 210

FLLC

See above.  This course is offered at both the 300 and 400 level.