Classics (CLS)

CLS 101. Greek Civilization in its Mediterranean Context. (3)

Exploration of ancient Greek civilization, from pre-Homeric to Hellenistic times, presented within a broad framework of cultures with which Greece interacted in the Mediterranean basin. Various aspects of Greek civilization are highlighted including history, politics, religion, economics, society, art, science, philosophy, and literature. IIB. PA-3B. CAS-B-HST.

CLS 102. Roman Civilization: From City to Empire. (3)

This course is an exploration of the legacy of ancient Roman civilization from its legendary beginning through the Republic to the Empire at its greatest extent. Various aspects of Roman civilization highlight the Roman experience including history, literature, philosophy, political and social institutions, religion, art, and the unique ability of Rome to assimilate Greek and other cultures. IC, IIB. PA-3B, PA-4B, SI-02, SI-04. CAS-B-HST.

CLS 121. Greek and Roman Mythology. (3)

This course examines the production and interpretation of ancient Greek myth within its original historical context; also explores how Greek myths have been used and adapted in other historical periods and by other cultures up to today. IIB. PA-3B, PA-4B. CAS-B-LIT.
Cross-listed with REL 121.

CLS 177. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

CLS 210. Topics in Classics. (1-3; maximum 12)

Examination of an author, work, topic, or new critical perspective on classical civilization not usually given substantial treatment in regular course offerings. May be repeated three times if topic changes.

CLS 211. Greek and Roman Epic. (3)

This course examines the production and interpretation of Greek and Roman epic poetry (i.e. Homer, Vergil, Apollonios, Lucan) within its original historical and literary contexts. The course also explores how ancient epics have been used and adapted in other historical periods and cultures up to today. IIB. PA-3B. CAS-B-LIT.

CLS 212. Greek and Roman Tragedy. (3)

Study of the origin and development of Greek drama will highlight unique aspects of its fifth century form and dramatic presentation while exploring the reasons for perennial relevance of the extant plays. Selected dramas by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides supplemented with some comparative material from Roman post-classical drama. CAS-B-LIT.

CLS 216. Greek and Roman Cities. (3)

A visually-oriented course that examines ancient Greek and Roman cities, including Athens, Sparta, and Corinth; Rome, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. Intends to recreate, as much as possible, the experience of living in these cities in order to understand life in the Classical world.

CLS 221. Justice and the Law in Antiquity. (3)

History and development of constitutional and civil law in antiquity with special emphasis on Athenian and Roman law. Examines ancient jurisprudence and development of the concept of justice. Numerous comparisons made between ancient and modern, especially British and American, legal systems. IC. PA-4A, SI-02.

CLS 222. Race and Ethnicity in Antiquity. (3)

Relies on a variety of primary evidence to study how the Greeks and Romans defined race and ethnicity and how they defined themselves as individual peoples when they confronted cultures and peoples distinctly different from themselves. Examination of the relationship between current theories of race and ethnicity and the theories and practices of the Greeks and Romans.
Cross-listed with CRE 222.

CLS 235. Women in Antiquity. (3)

Study of the status of women in the Greek and Roman world from Bronze age through early centuries of Christianity conducted in light of literary, artistic, and archaeological evidence in order to increase knowledge and understanding of Greek and Roman family and social life and of our own society as well. CAS-B-LIT.

CLS 277. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

CLS 304. Ancient Health and Medicine. (3)

This class examines the evolving ways health and medicine were understood and practiced in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds from roughly the 8th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. It investigates the ways ideas about health and medicine were shaped in regards to both the individual and the community, including, in the latter case, discussion of two devastating ancient plagues. The course follows a roughly chronological approach, charting some of the advancements in science and technology across these eras, while placing special focus on placing ancient medicine within its broader social context. IIB. PA3B. CAS-B-HUM.

CLS 305. Becoming Christianity. (3)

Students will learn how a sect became an enduring “religion” in its own right, how sects make their case for legitimacy, establish group identities, wrestle with factions and disunity, and eventually transcend ethnic boundaries so thoroughly that a former sect comes to reside among peoples who were once excluded from its original group. CAS-B.
Cross-listed with HST 305 and REL 305.

CLS 310. Advanced Topics in Classics. (1-3; maximum 6)

CLS 323. Discoveries of Archaeology. (3)

Introductory survey of monumental discoveries (ancient and modern) that have changed and influenced the course of history, intellectual thought, and artistic taste and enlarged and transformed our knowledge of the ancient world. Specific discoveries from selected archaeological sites direct the focus of the course: e.g. Egypt, Troy, Crete, Athena, Delphi, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Rome.
Cross-listed with HST 323.

CLS 332. Classical Mythology and the Arts. (3)

Designed to explore the role of arts in the classical world in transmitting the narratives and values inherent in Greek and Roman myths. Will consist of case studies in the use of myth from public and private spheres: the Parthenon sculptures, Herakles and Athenian tyrants of the 6th century, the Niobids, Danaids and Augustan Rome, the reliefs from the Roman amphitheater at Capua, etc. Major topics will be subject selection, composition, context and narrative moment.

CLS 333. Migration and Multiculturalism in the World of Alexander the Great. (3)

This course examines the historical role of Alexander the Great and the dramatic changes he brought to the ancient world, especially in relation to the migrations and multiculturalism that would come to define the so-called Hellenistic period. While the course includes study of ancient literary sources portraying Alexander's life and military campaigns, as well as discussion of Alexander's legacy in more modern eras, it will also examine the various territories he came into contact with, including their political and cultural development in the centuries following his death. Finally, the course critically examines how study of the Hellenistic period has traditionally been treated by scholars, raising questions about why it has too-often been considered “Greek history” and how better disciplinary methods and perspectives might be developed. PA-3B. SI-02.

CLS 336. Ancient Sexualities. (3)

Examines the written and visual evidence for ancient sexual practices, as well as ancient attitudes towards these practices as found in ancient law, philosophy, love poetry, novels, and other texts. Our reading of primary sources will be informed by modern writings on gender and sexuality. We will also engage with recent debates about the ideologies reflected in ancient codes of sexual conduct. Through a close reading of a variety of ancient Greek and Roman texts and images, together with contemporary interpretive readings, we will attempt to reach not only a fuller understanding of some central features of the cultures of Greece and Rome, but also, by holding up the mirror of antiquity to our own beliefs and practices, to arrive at a more critical consideration of how we think about sex and gender today.
Cross-listed with WGS.

CLS 340. Internship. (0-20)

CLS 361. Antiquity Through a Lens. (3)

Introduces students to filmic projections of classical myths and historical crises. Heightens students' awareness of the ways films construct our images of classical antiquity in the service of contemporary ideological agendas.

CLS 377. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

CLS 425. Senior Seminar. (3)

This capstone course is an intensive interdisciplinary seminar on a selected topic that explores the connections between the literatures and cultural systems linked to the Greek and Roman world, and to the French and Italian traditions. Taught in English, this course invites majors in French, Italian, and Classical Studies to strengthen their powers of critical thinking and synthesis through research, writing, and discussion. Required of all French, Italian, and Classical Studies majors in their senior year and open to qualified non-majors with permission of instructor. The capstone is taught on a rotating basis by faculty in French, Italian, and Classical Studies. SC. CAS-B, CAS-W.
Prerequisite: senior standing in the major; for other majors, permission of instructor.
Cross-listed with FRE 425 and ITL 425.

CLS 477. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

CLS 480. Independent Reading for Departmental Honors. (1-6)

Individually arranged program of study concentrating on a particular author, major work, or significant aspect of ancient culture and society, normally culminating in a substantial research essay and comprehensive examination.
Prerequisite: superior performance in course work within department as well as good general academic standing.