Chair, PROFESSOR JOSEPH ROISMAN
Professors Peyton Helm¹, Hanna Roisman, and Joseph Roisman; Assistant Professor Kerill O'Neill

¹Vice president for development and alumni relations.

The Department of Classics encourages the study of the civilizations of Greece and Rome. The study of classics and classical civilization is an interdisciplinary endeavor based on courses in languages, literature, history, archaeology, philosophy, political science, religion, and art. The pursuit of classics and classical civilization allows the acquiring of a liberal education by examining humanistic values of the ancient world and their impact on the pre-modern and the modern ages. Most students find the study of the classics beneficial in developing methodological and analytical thinking and most advantageous in pursuing careers in higher education, law, management, medicine, government, art, teaching, and other fields.

The department offers majors and minors in classics and classical civilization as well as majors in classics-English, classical civilization-English, and classical civilization-anthropology.

Students majoring in classics may concentrate in one of the following: Greek literature, Latin literature, a combination of both, or classical civilization. There is also the opportunity to study in Greece or Italy in programs especially for American students, as well as occasion for experiencing field archaeology through arrangement with other institutions.

Requirements for the Major in Classics
A student majoring in classics may concentrate in either Greek or Latin; it is recommended, however, that students planning to pursue the study of classics in graduate school study both Greek and Latin, electing a schedule of courses approved by the department.

The major consists of at least 10 courses, with three courses numbered 200 or higher in Greek or Latin and four additional courses selected from at least two of the following categories:
(a) Additional courses in either language.
(b) Two courses in Ancient History.
(c) Two courses elected from courses in translation offered by the Classics and other departments: Classics 133, 135, 137, 139, 145, 151, 171, 232, 236, 238, 240, 242, 258, 298, 332; Ancient History 154, 158, 356, 393; Art 311, 312; Philosophy 231 or the equivalent.

Requirements for the Major in Classical Civilization
(No knowledge of Latin or Greek is required.)
The major in classical civilization consists of at least 10 courses as follows:
(a) Three courses selected from the following: Classics 133, 137, 171, 232, 236, 238, 240, 242.
(b) Ancient History 154, 158.
(c) One course numbered 300 or higher in classics or ancient history.
(d) Four additional courses selected from the following: Classics 133, 135, 137, 139, 145, 151, 171, 232, 236, 238, 240, 242, 258, 298, 332; Ancient History 356, 393; Greek 111, 112, 131; Latin 111, 112, 131; Art 311, 312; Government 271, 474; Philosophy 231, 392; or equivalent courses selected in consultation with the major advisor.

Requirements for the Major in Classics-English
In classics: six semester courses of Greek or Latin, three of which are numbered 200 or higher.
In English: six semester courses approved by the departments.

Requirements for the Major in Classical Civilization-English
In classics: six semester courses approved by the departments.
In English: six semester courses approved by the departments.

Requirements for the Major in Classical Civilization-Anthropology
In classics: 133, 154, 158, 236, a seminar at the 300 or 400 level, and one elective course in consultation with the advisor.
In anthropology: 112, 113, 313, 332, 333, and one elective seminar at the 300 or 400 level.
The point scale for retention of each of the above majors applies to all courses that may be credited toward the major. No requirement for the major may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Requirements for the Minor in Classics
The minor (concentrating in Greek, Latin, or combination of both) consists of six courses: Greek 111, 112, 131, or Latin 111, 112, 131; two courses in Greek or Latin numbered 200 or higher (in the case of a combination of both languages, courses in the other ancient language will be counted towards the requirement, but the minor must include at least one course numbered 200 or higher in either language); one course selected from the following categories:
(a) Additional course numbered 200 or higher in either language.
(b) One course in ancient history.
(c) One course numbered 200 or higher in the other ancient language.
(d) One course selected from courses in translation offered by the Classics Department.
The courses are selected in consultation with the advisor.

Requirements for the Minor in Classical Civilization
(No knowledge of Latin or Greek is required.)
(a) Classics 133 or 137 or 171.
(b) One course numbered 200 in translation offered by the Classics Department.
(c) Ancient History 154 or 158.
(d) One 300-level course or higher in classics or ancient history.
(e) Three additional courses selected from the following: Greek 111, 112, 131; Latin 111, 112, 131; Classics 133, 135, 137, 139, 145, 151, 171, 232, 236, 238, 240, 242, 298; Ancient History 154, 158; Art 311, 312; Government 271, 474; Philosophy 231, 392; or equivalent courses selected in consultation with the advisor of the minor.
The point scale for retention of each of the above minors applies to all courses that may be credited toward the minor. No requirement for a minor may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Course Offerings

Courses Offered in Classics

[133] Greek Myth and Literature A survey of the Greek myths, with emphasis on their content and significance in both ancient and modern society; the creation of myths; and the impact of myths on the evolution of our moral and political concepts. Three or four credit hours. L.

135j History and the Homeric Epics An exploration of the Homeric epics, their historical context, and the extent to which they can be used as historical source material. Readings include the Iliad and the Odyssey as well as secondary scholarship on Homeric poetry and Greek history. Enrollment limited. Three credit hours. H. MR. HELM

[137] Literature of Greece and Rome An introduction to the literature and thought of ancient Greece and Rome. Readings in translation will include epic and lyric poetry, tragedy and comedy, and historical, political, and philosophical writings. Discussion will include a consideration of the impact of classical literature on Western civilization. Three or four credit hours. L.

[139j] Athens, Rome, and Jerusalem The Greek, Roman, and Jewish civilizations came into direct contact and also conflict with each other. How did they first make contact? What impact did they have on one another? What were their views of each other? Were their values, beliefs, and ambitions irreconcilable or amenable to peaceful coexistence? The periods when Greeks, Romans, and Jews fought yet also lived together in peace. Readings in translation include Plutarch, Josephus, and the New Testament. Two credit hours.

145j Between Revolution and Tradition: Julius Caesar and Augustus How Julius Caesar and Augustus both contributed to the crisis of the Roman Republic and tried to resolve it. Topics include conflicts between republican traditions and a monarchical regime, Caesar's dictatorship, his image, the Ides of March, Augustus's attainment of sole power, his relationship with senators, commoners and slaves, the Roman games, and society and literature in the Augustan age. Two credit hours. MR. ROISMAN

[151] Anatomy of Bioscientific Terminology The Greek and Latin word elements that combine to form most of the specialized terms in biological sciences. The student who learns the meanings of these elements and the rules of word formation will usually recognize the basic meaning of any unfamiliar word in this field. Attention also to misformation, common errors, and words still in use that reflect scientific theories since rejected. Three credit hours.

[171] Liar, Liar! Homer's Odysseus Through tall tales and bold-faced lies, Odysseus reinvents himself to suit every audience and situation. His adaptability and elastic sense of the truth are the keys to his success and survival. How could a liar like Odysseus become one of the best-known and most admired heroes of the ancient world? Why did the Odyssey become an integral part of ancient literature education? Readings include translations of the Odyssey, part of the Iliad, and secondary literature on Homeric poetry. Three credit hours. L.

[177, 178] Topics in Classics Two or three credit hours.

[232] Greek Tragedy The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Study of the themes of tragic drama, its form and meaning in the fifth century B.C. and today; discussion of possible stagings, significance of variations in the treatment of myth, and political background. Special attention to critical writings on methods, spirit, and purpose of tragedy. All readings in translation. Two or three credit hours. L.

236s Roman Legends and Literature Through reading the works of selected Roman authors in translation, an examination of major concepts in mythology: cosmogony, the hero, the interplay of legend and history, etc. Open to first-year students. Four credit hours. L. MR. O'NEILL

[238] The Beginnings of Greek Tragedy: Aeschylus The course examines the origins of Greek drama and discusses Aeschylus as a traditionalist, innovator, and father of Western dramatic theater. Reading the seven extant tragedies of Aeschylus with special emphasis on moral and political dilemmas such as portrayed in the Oresteia as well as in Prometheus Bound. Three credit hours. L.

[240] The Tragic Hero: The Drama of Sophocles Aristotle considered Sophocles as the most sublime of the great Greek tragedians. The Sophoclean heroes are self-destructive by nature, beset by doubts, constrained by fate, and hobbled by an ambiguous code of honor. Their motives reveal human fragility behind the heroic facade. Among other tragedies, readings include Oedipus the King, Antigone, Ajax, and Electra. Three credit hours. L.

[242j] Tragedies of Passion: Euripides Euripides's tragedies show the effects of passion and reason on human actions. His characters are not only ambiguous about their choices but often act contrary to their professed intentions. Reading from a selection of plays, such as Medea, Hippolytus, Bacchae, Alcestis, Helen, Trojan Women, Hecuba, and Electra as well as secondary literature on Greek tragedy. Three credit hours. L.

[258] Romans and Jews: History and Religion Drawing upon both literary and archaeological evidence, the course deals with the relationship between the Romans and the Jews in the early centuries of the common era, a period important for the development of religious and cultural forms that greatly affect nearly all subsequent history. Focus is especially, but not entirely, on cultural conflict and its resolution. Roman culture, Jewish culture, and early Christianity will be seen in juxtaposition. Topics considered include the demise of the Hasmonean dynasty, the Jewish War, Masada, Qumran, and the Dead Sea Scrolls; considerable attention to writings of the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. Three credit hours. H, D.

298s In Search of a Strong Man: Greece in the Fourth Century The fourth century B.C.E. was a transition period for the Greeks. They were forced to reassess basic values relevant to their political systems, their ways of life, and their relationship with non-Greeks. They re-examined the role of great individuals in a community that looked at such men with suspicion. The course looks at the challenges faced by the city-state, the search for a powerful individual as a solution for social and political problems, the phenomenon of mercenaries, and the accomplishments of the kings of Macedonia, Philip II and Alexander the Great. Open to first-year students. Three or four credit hours. H. MR. ROISMAN

332f Manhood in Greek Society and Literature A seminar on the concept of manhood and its impact in shaping Greek society and literature. Among topics discussed are: the Homeric hero and his family, man at war, male and female on the tragic and comic stage, Greek sexuality, masculine competitiveness, the cultural construction of the male, and the rhetoric of manhood in the Athenian courts. Enrollment limited; preference to classics and classical civilization majors and minors. Four credit hours. H, D. MR. ROISMAN AND MS. ROISMAN

491f, 492s Independent Study Individual projects in areas where the student has demonstrated the interest and competence necessary for independent work. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One to four credit hours. FACULTY

Courses Offered in Greek

Students are strongly encouraged to take Greek 111, 112, and 131 in consecutive semesters.

111fj Introductory Greek Learn to explore first hand the great works of literature, history, philosophy, religion, and the origins of Western civilization, improving English vocabulary and developing analytical skills. Four credit hours (three in January). MS. ROISMAN

112s Intermediate Greek As facility with the ancient Greek grows, students read extracts from the great authors of Ancient Greece, including Euripides, Plato, and excerpts from the Bible (Old and New Testament). Four credit hours. MS. ROISMAN

131f Introduction to Greek Literature Successful completion of this course fulfills the College language requirement. Prerequisite: Greek 112. Four credit hours. L. MS. ROISMAN

[233] Plato's Symposium: The Meaning of Love Socrates and Diotima discuss the true meaning of love. Four credit hours. L, D.

239f Revenge and Cowardice: Euripides's Electra Forced to endure the murder of her father, Agamemnon, by her mother, Clytemnestra, Electra yearns for vengeance. She is counting on her brother, Orestes, to come home and demand blood for blood. Euripides takes a well-known myth, cunningly adapts it to his own purposes, and invests it with fresh and compelling passion. Four credit hours. L. MS. ROISMAN

[253] Gods, Violence, and Procreation: Hesiod's Theogony and Works and Days Hesiod discusses the creation of the world, the battles of the gods, the evolution of humans, and the working social and ethical principles that allow us to live as a society. Four credit hours. L.

[251] Euripides: Alcestis Four credit hours. L.

[352] Euripides: Hippolytos Four credit hours. L.

[353] Xenophon's Anabasis: A Mercenary's Tale Selections from Xenophon's eye-witness account of a Greek mercenary army's battles, betrayals, and courage in the face of adversity. The expedition of Cyrus to take the Persian throne from his brother with the help of Greek troops is the setting for one of the great true stories of military endeavors. Four credit hours. L.

[354] Monsters and Maidens: Homer's Odyssey Translations and analysis of selections from the Odyssey focusing on Odysseus's encounter with princess Nausicaa as well as his outwitting of the Cyclops. Four credit hours. L.

[357] Aeschylus: Libation Bearers: Sex, Lies, and Matricide In the second play of Aeschylus's trilogy, The Oresteia, a young man struggles with conflicting obligations to each of his parents. Should he avenge his father by killing his murdering, adulterous mother, or should he acknowledge his debt to his mother and let her escape the consequences of her vicious deeds? Four credit hours. L.

358s Politics of Revenge: Sophocles's Electra Electra's own inaction in the face of her mother's crime is examined in this drama. Each of Greece's great tragedians confronted this horrifying tale of conflicting duties and responsibilities. The differing emphases and perspectives of Euripides and Sophocles will receive particular scrutiny. Four credit hours. L. MS. ROISMAN

491f, 492s Independent Study Reading in a field of the student's interest, with essays and conferences. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One to four credit hours. FACULTY

Courses Offered in Latin

Placement of first-year students in Latin courses is determined by an examination given by the department during orientation week in the fall semester only. Students are strongly encouraged to take Latin 111, 112, and 131 in consecutive semesters.

111f Introductory Latin Learn Latin grammar and syntax while reading Roman comedy! Laugh your way through declensions and conjugations and develop reading skills. Four credit hours. MR. O'NEILL

112s Intermediate Latin As you learn more Latin, you read extracts from Roman law courts. If the toga doesn't fit, you must acquit. Prerequisite: Latin 111. Four credit hours. MR. O'NEILL

131f Introduction to Latin Literature Selected readings. Successful completion of this course fulfills the College language requirement. Prerequisite: Latin 111, 112. Four credit hours. L. MR. O'NEILL

237f Runaways, Wolves, and Kings--Livy's History of Rome Livy's account of the foundation and early days of Rome has less to do with history than with myth and legend. These famous stories give insight into how the Romans constructed their heroes and villains, and Livy writes beautiful Latin prose. Prerequisite: Latin 112. Four credit hours. L. MR. O'NEILL

[255] Forbidden Love: Dido and Aeneas (Virgil, Book 4) Translation and analysis of selections from the Aeneid concerning the ill-starred love of Dido and Aeneas. Topics for discussion include duty vs. love, Dido as foreign enchantress, Virgil and Homer, love as a madness/disease, and legitimate couple or illicit lovers? Four credit hours. L.

[271] Horace's Epodes: Lampoons and Blame Poetry Horace is one of Rome's greatest and most influential poets, but often textbooks focus on his blandest poems for fear of offending anyone. The class will read a selection from The Epodes, a book of often scurrilous abuse in poetic form focusing in particular on his poems about witches and witchcraft. Four credit hours. L.

[352] Roman Drama: Seneca, Phaedra Four credit hours. L.

[353] Catullus and Horace: Poetry of Love and Wine The course will concentrate on Catullus: his passionate feelings for a woman and his tortured grief for his brother. Other readings include a few of Horace's short poems on wine, politics, and friendship. Four credit hours. L.

[341] Sacred Rites and Erotic Magic: Propertius 4 An analysis of the two, rival poetic programs of Propertius 4; how "patriotic" poems become erotic manifestos, and how sacred rites are profaned by erotic ritual. Four credit hours. L.

362s Lovers, Exiles, and Shepherds--Virgil's Eclogues The Eclogues have exerted a tremendous influence on later poets across Europe and the Americas. Virgil's bucolic poetry draws on ancient learning, contemporary politics, and his own artistic sensibility. Prerequisite: Latin 131 or higher. Four credit hours. L. MR. O'NEILL

491f, 492s Independent Study Reading in a field of the student's interest, with essays and conferences. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One to four credit hours. FACULTY