Undergraduate Academic Programs / Departments / Courses
62 Classics
The Greeks and the Romans laid foundations upon which Western Civilization rests. We owe to the Greeks the roots of much of our literature, science, philosophy and art, while the Romans gave the still living legacy of their language, literature and law to an empire that stretched from the North Sea to the Persian Gulf. To allow the student to share in this rich heritage, the Department of Classics offers courses in the languages, literature, history, philosophy and civilization of Greece and Rome.
Our courses in Greek and Roman Civilization are for students who wish to gain a general understanding of classical antiquity and are the usual basis for further work in Classics. The 2000 and 3000 level courses treat particular subjects and periods, but none of the Classics courses requires a knowledge of Greek or Latin.
There are, however, courses in the Greek and Latin languages for both beginning and advanced students. Those who wish to learn Greek and Latin are urged to begin their studies as early as possible in their university careers.
Students who pass in Classics 1010, 1020, 3120, 3420, 4310 and 4320 may claim credit for these courses in the Department of History.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN CLASSICS
1. A Minor in Classics consists of 21 semester hours.
2. The 21 semester hours must be distributed as follows:
(a) 6 hours in Greek or 6 hours in Latin.
(b) 6 hours in civilization courses; i.e. non-language courses offered by the Classics Department or cross-listed courses recommended by the Department.
(c) 9 hours of electives at the 2000 level or above; at least 3 of these 9 hours must be at the 3000 level or above.
CLASSICS COURSES
1020 ROMAN CIVILIZATION
This course surveys Roman Civilization from its beginnings to the fall of Rome. It examines important political, literary and material creations, such as the Empire, the Aeneid, and the Colosseum, within their historical contexts. The aim is to provide both a general understanding of Ancient Rome, including its contribution to Western Civilization, and a basis for further work in Classics.
Cross-listed with History 2520.
PREREQUISITE: None
Three hours a week
2210 CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
This course surveys the Greek and Roman myths as they are found in the religion, pre-scientific thought, literature, philosophy and art of the Ancient World. These myths helped to make the universe, society and the individual intelligible to the Ancients and have contributed significantly to the art and literature of Western Civilization. The aim of the course is to provide both a general understanding of Greek and Roman culture and a basis for further work in Classics.
Cross-listed with Religious Studies 1210.
PREREQUISITE: None
Three hours a week
2310 EGYPTIAN AND MESOPOTAMIAN ART
(See Fine Arts History 2010)
2320 GREEK ART
(See Fine Arts History 2020)
2410 ROMAN ART
(See Fine Arts History 2110)
2620 PLATO AND ARISTOTLE
(See Philosophy 2620)
2880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Classics at the 2000 level.
3420 THE LATER ROMAN EMPIRE (A.D. 284-410)
This course gives detailed consideration to the political, military, social, economic and religious history of the Roman Empire from the reign of Diocletian to the sack of Rome by Alaric the Visigoth. Attention is directed to the reasons why the Romans failed to halt the decline of their Empire.
Cross-listed with History 2720.
PREREQUISITE: Classics 1020, or 3120, or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week
3880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Classics at the 3000 level.
4880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Classics at the 4000 level.
LANGUAGE COURSES
GREEK
1010
This course provides an introduction to the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek.
PREREQUISITE: None
Three hours a week
1020
This course provides a continuation of the study of the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek.
PREREQUISITE: Greek 1010
Three hours a week
LATIN
1010
This course provides an introduction to the grammar and syntax of the Latin language.
Three hours a week
1020
This course provides a continuation of the study of the grammar and syntax of the Latin language.
PREREQUISITE: Latin 1010
Three hours a week
4310-4320 DIRECTED STUDIES
Student and teacher jointly investigate problems or authors or do advanced language studies in consultation with the Chair. May be used as a History credit with approval of the History Chair.
PREREQUISITE: Four courses in Classics (See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies.)