Students will focus on the foundational texts and artistic expressions of the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions in order to discover the qualities that make these works enduring in relevance. The program is designed to attract students who wish to gain an understanding of the foundations of their major studies in disciplines such as English, history, humanities, modern languages, and philosophy. The classics minor also provides students with the option of studying an ancient language.
There is no major available in classics.
Courses will be selected from the electives below. Students must take courses from at least two of the participating departments. Cross-listed courses can only be counted for credit in one department. No more than 8 credits may double-count for credit in the student’s major or toward another minor.
4.00
Survey of the Old and New Testaments as collections of texts that have their origin in particular historical periods; exhibiting genres such as poetry, myth, history, biography and prophecy, as exhibited in the King James Version and other notable English translations. At the same time we will look at selected examples of how the Bible influenced the writers and permeated the works of English literature.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
Literary masterpieces from ancient times to the Renaissance, including: Homers Odyssey, Sophocles Oedipus, Virgils Aeneid, selections from the Hebrew Bible and the Gospels, and Dantes Divine Comedy. List may vary at the discretion of the instructor.
Offered Fall Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, or ENG 218
4.00
Greek and Roman drama from its origins; characteristics of the theater; development of tragedy and comedy. Readings in Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Plautus, Terrence, and Seneca. Normally offered every third year
Occasional
ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, or ENG 218
4.00
An introduction to Periclean Athens, the golden age of classical Greek literature and thought. Close readings of selections from the historians Herodotus and Thucydides, the dramatists Aeschylus and Euripides, the poetry of Pindar, and Platos great work on politics, The Republic. Cross-listed with History 336.
Occasional
ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, or ENG 218
4.00
Ancient Greek and Roman myths, their motifs, themes and interpretations. Normally offered every third year.
4.00
A survey of archaic thought from Greek myths of origin and Hebraic accounts of Genesis to Mosaic law and Aristotelian ethics. Major topics include: polytheism and monotheism, Homers Troy, the pre-Socratic philosophers and early conceptions of the universe; the complexities of desire and identity in the song of Songs and Sapphos lyric poetry; Gods covenant with Israel as depicted in Exodus, Samuel, and the Psalms; self-knowledge and justice in Greek tragedy. Note: This course is identical to ENG 411 and HUM 338.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A survey of the monumental transformation from Pagan thought to Christian belief. Topics include the relation of the soul to the cosmos, the city of man and the city of god, hope, Eros and Agape, Stoicism and Pagan tragedy vs. Christian comedy. We will pay particular attention to the way Pagan images evolve into Christian symbols, as when Sibyls wind-scattered leaves become, in Dante, the pages of the Bible bound by love. Major figures include: Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Dante.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
An examination of the civic, religious, and domestic art and architecture of the Ancient Mediterranean cultures of Greece and Rome. Temples, forums, basilicas, city planning, sculpture, pottery, wall painting, mosaics, and engineering achievements will be examined in their cultural contexts.
Occasional
BFA Humanities Requirement,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
An introduction to the basic syntax and vocabulary of Ancient Greek with an emphasis on reading some modified passages from genuine Ancient Greek texts as soon as possible. No background in grammar or Greek is assumed.
Offered Fall Term
BA FOREIGN
GR-101
4.00
A continuation of GR 101. During the semester we will complete our introduction to Ancient Greek and begin to read continuously a classic work of poetry, history, or philosophy in the original.
Offered Spring Term
BA FOREIGN
4.00
The study of philosophical thought from the period of the ancient Greek philosophers through the Medieval thinkers, including such philosophers as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Zeno, Parmenides, Pythagoras, Protagoras, Augustine, Aquinas, Anselm, and Abelard. An introductory course designed to equip the student with a well grounded understanding and appreciation of Philosophy. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Fall Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor.
4.00
This course is an in-depth investigation into Aristotles writings, teachings, and central doctrines. Readings include a range of Aristotles work and treatises. Topics and texts may vary depending on the theme of exploration. Possible combinations of texts may include his works on Logic, Natural Philosophy, Metaphysics, Poetics, Politics or Ethics, among others. Students will be expected to critically examine textual readings. Classes will be conducted by means of lecture, class discussion, and primary text in translation. Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor.
4.00
A detailed study of Platonic texts and issues. Works studied will vary but will often include dialogues such as the Apology, Euthyphro, Phaedo, Republic, and Symposium. Themes may include, among others: the nature of philosophy and its relation to society; the dialogue form and the character of Socrates; the difference between truth and opinion; the meaning of virtue; justice and the ideal regime; the theory of forms and the nature of reality; love, death, and transcendence. Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor. 1 term ? 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, or ENG 218 also counts as HIST 304
4.00
This course offers an introduction to the Golden Age of Roman culture and power. Close readings of selections from major historians, poets, political thinkers, and philosophers will be examined in the context of Augustan Rome. Topics such as pietas, virtus, and gravitas, as well as the competing claims of public duty and private devotion, stoic maxim and erotic love lyric, will be discussed from the perspectives of writers such as Virgil, Livy, Tacitus, Horace, Catullus, and Lucretius. Note: This course is identical to HUM 304. Normally offered in alternate years.
Humanities & History
* ENG-318 requires prior approval in order to count towards the classics minor. Students should consult with the Instructor and the coordinator of the classics minor no later than the first week of classes.
