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219/319. Theories of Justice from Plato to Rawls (=Hist 219, LL/Soc 252).
This course closely examines major texts in classical political theory and
considers them against the development of modern theories of the just society.
Readings include texts by Aristotle, Plato, Sophocles, Cicero, Montesquieu,
Rousseau, Arendt, and Rawls. D. Cohen. Spring.
263. Morals and Politics from Homer to Plato. This course is concerned with
the manner in which the Greeks of the archaic and classical periods evaluated
themselves and others in moral and political terms, their reason for finding
such evaluations appropriate, and any changes that occurred between the time of
the composition of the Homeric poems and the death of Plato. Emphasis is placed
on the important practical problems created by these valuations, and on the
manner in which they were reinforced by traditional Greek education. Plato's
moral and political philosophy is discussed in light of this situation, and
studied as an attempt, or series of attempts, to solve the problems. The course
is based on close study of texts in translation combined with a discussion of
some twenty Greek words which express Greek values. Texts discussed include
passages from the Homeric poems; poems from the "lyric age" of Greece; scenes
from Greek tragedies and comedies; some Thucydidean speeches; and part or all
of some of the dialogues of Plato. A. Adkins. Autumn.
268/368. Origin of the Novel. This course traces the development of a newly
recognized genre in antiquity, the novel. A selection of Greek and Roman novels
are read in translation. Questions as to the relationship of the novel to the
epic, and the relationship of the ancient to the modern novel, are addressed.
Modern theories of the novel are also taken into consideration. E. Asmis.
Winter.
269. Roman Social and Political Relations. This course considers how
political institutions worked and changed within the context of Roman social
relations through the Late Republic and the Augustan Age. Readings include
selections from Cicero, Sallust's Catilinarian War, and Augustus's
Record of My Accomplishments. R. Saller. Winter.
270. Tacitus on Liberty and Autocracy. The class is devoted entirely to
discussion of the major issues arising from the texts (e.g., the relationship
between the emperor and the senate, Tacitus's attitude toward the Celtic and
Germanic tribes on the periphery of the empire). Close attention is paid to
choice of materials and organization of text. R. Saller. Spring.
286. Early Roman Republic. This course surveys Rome's growth from a typical
Latin town to the master of Italy (ca. 700-264 B.C.). It concentrates on
examining historical and historiographical problems concerning Rome's internal
development and foreign affairs. G. Forysthe. Autumn.
288. Greek Games and Festivals. Study of texts and monuments related to
Greek agonistic festivals, including the Panhellenic games, Panathenaic
festivals, the great and lesser Dionysia, and Hellenistic victory games.
Discussion includes political, social, and religious aspects of the games; and
theories of interpretation. All readings in English. E. Gebhard.
Spring.
289. Alexander the Great: Problems of Historical and Historiographical
Interpretation. This course is a historical survey of the reign and
achievements of Alexander the Great. Students read all four major ancient
accounts of Alexander's reign in translation, as well as pertinent modern
scholarly work. G. Forsythe. Spring.
298. Preparation for Bachelor's Paper. In consultation with a faculty
member, students devote an independent study course to preparing a bachelor's
paper. The grade for this course is that of the bachelor's paper. Staff.
Autumn, Winter.
299. Reading Course. PQ: Students are required to submit the College
Reading and Research Course Form. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.
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102. Introduction to Attic Greek II: Prose. PQ: Greek 101. The
remaining chapters of the introductory Greek textbook are covered. Students
apply and improve their understanding of Greek as selections from Xenophon are
read. J. Redfield. Winter.
103. Introduction to Attic Greek III: Prose. PQ: Greek 102. This
course fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. Students
apply the grammatical skills taught in Greek 101-102 by reading a continuous
prose text by a classical author such as Lysias, Xenophon, or Plato. The aim is
familiarity with Greek idiom and sentence structure. Staff. Spring.
111. Accelerated Introduction to Attic Greek I. This course introduces
students to the basic rules of ancient Greek. Class time is spent on the
explanation of grammar, translation from Greek to English and from English to
Greek, and discussion of student work. Knowledge of Greek not required.
Staff. Autumn.
112. Accelerated Introduction to Attic Greek II. PQ: Greek 111. The
remaining chapters of the introductory textbook are covered. Students then
apply and improve their knowledge of Greek as they read selections from
Xenophon. P. White. Winter.
113. Accelerated Introduction to Attic Greek III. PQ: Greek 112. This
course fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. Students
apply the grammatical skills taught in Greek 111-112 by reading a continuous
prose text by a classical author such as Lysias, Xenophon, or Plato. The aim is
familiarity with Greek idiom and sentence structure. Staff. Spring.
204. Plato: Apology/Crito. PQ: Greek 103 or equivalent.
Plato's Apology is read in Greek. The course explores the literary,
historical, and philosophical dimensions of the dialogue. The aim is to help
students consolidate their knowledge of Greek grammar. A. W. H. Adkins.
Autumn.
205. Sophocles: Antigone. PQ: Greek 103 or equivalent. The
course includes close analysis and translation of the Greek text, in addition
to a discussion of Sophoclean dramatic technique and relevant trends in
fifth-century Athenian intellectual history. L. Slatkin. Winter.
206. Introduction to Homer. PQ: Greek 103 or equivalent. An
introduction to the Homeric dialect and to the convention of oral epic through
a study of the Iliad. Staff. Spring.
Go to top of document 211/311. Greek Elegiac Poetry. PQ: Greek 206 or equivalent. Poems
composed over a number of centuries in the elegiac meter are studied, beginning
with some of the works of Archilochus and Callinus and continuing through a
selection of the poems in M. L. West's Iambi et elegi Graeci ante Alexandrum
cantati to poems drawn from the Greek Anthology. The poems
are discussed in some detail following the method used in Poetic Craft in
the Early Greek Elegists. D. N. Rudall. Autumn.
212/312. Plato: Symposium. PQ: Greek 206 or equivalent. A
close reading of the text, with discussion of the themes and arguments of the
dialogue. The questions that are discussed include: What are the dramatic and
rhetorical features of the dialogue? What problems does Plato raise about the
nature of love and beauty? What is the character of Socrates? Related works
(such as Plato's Phaedrus) are read in translation. E. Asmis.
Winter.
213/313. Aeschylus: Prometheus. PQ: Greek 206 or equivalent.
This is an introduction to Aeschylean drama in general, seen through the
special problems posed by the play. Lectures and discussions are concerned with
the authenticity of Prometheus Bound, its dating, and the chronology of
Aeschylus's extant works; the reconstruction of the hypothetical Promethia
trilogy; the role of Zeus and the religious significance of Aeschylean
drama; the development and early form of Attic drama; and the philosophical,
political, and literary background of the play. Relevant mythological material
(in the original languages) and modern Aeschylean scholars are also read and
discussed. A. W. H. Adkins. Spring.
221/321. Herodotus. PQ: Greek 206 or equivalent. Selections from
several books are read, and the historical methods and aesthetic principles
that shape the Histories are discussed. Not offered 1995-96; will be
offered 1996-97.
222/322. Aristophanes: Clouds. PQ: Greek 206 or equivalent.
The play is read in detail and discussed as a literary work and as a
document in the history of philosophy. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered
1996-97.
223/323. Euripides: Hippolytus. PQ: Greek 206 or equivalent.
The play is translated and discussed, both as text and as dramatic performance,
with more general consideration given to the modes and purposes of tragedy, as
well as to the religious background to the play. Not offered 1995-96; will
be offered 1996-97.
245/345. Hellenistic Poetry: Callimachus and Theocritus. A reading of
selected poems by Callimachus and Theocritus. We examine how these leading
poets of the Hellenistic age created a new kind of poetry, based on the old,
but going beyond it in important ways. E. Asmis. Autumn.
299. Reading Course. PQ: Students are required to submit the College
Reading and Research Course Form. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.
344. Greek Prose Composition. PQ: Consent of instructor. This course
is intended to strengthen and refine a student's understanding of Greek syntax
and style. Students translate a variety of passages from English to Greek.
Greek texts are analyzed according to style, and students emulate these styles
in their own writing. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered
1996-97.
102. Introduction to Classical Latin II: Prose Writings. PQ: Latin
101. This course begins with the completion of the basic text begun in
Latin 101 and concludes with readings in Latin from Cicero, Caesar, or other
prose. R. Kaster. Winter.
103. Introduction to Classical Latin III: Cicero. PQ: Latin 102.
This course involves the reading of a complete speech by Cicero. The course
seeks to consolidate knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax and to increase the
ability to read Cicero's prose, which has had a lasting influence on European
literary expression. Staff. Spring.
204. Livy. PQ: Latin 103 or equivalent. This course fulfills the
Common Core foreign language requirement. The purpose of this course is
twofold: to review Latin grammar, and to give students experience in reading
portions of the thirty-fourth book of Livy. There are weekly grammar quizzes
related to Latin readings in class. Students are expected to conduct their own
grammar review but with specific directives from the instructor. They are asked
to read a certain amount of modern material concerning Roman Republican history
in order to give the Latin reading a more intelligible context. G. Forysthe.
Autumn.
205. Virgil: Selections from the Aeneid. PQ: Latin 103 or
equivalent. This course fulfills the Common Core foreign language
requirement. A reading of selections from the first six books of the
Aeneid. Emphasis is on Virgil's language and versification. Students are
also required to read in English translation those books of the poem that are
not read in Latin. G. Forysthe. Winter.
206. Horace and Catullus. PQ: Latin 103 or equivalent. This
course fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. A reading of
selected poems of Catullus and Horace, with special emphasis on style and form.
D. N. Rudall. Spring.
211/311. Roman Elegy: Propertius. PQ: Latin 206 or equivalent.
Readings in books 2-4 with emphasis in the programmatic poems and their
connections with Augustan ideologies. W. R. Johnson. Autumn.
212/312. Roman Novel: Petronius's Satyricon. PQ: Latin 206 or
equivalent. All of the Cena trimalchionis is read in Latin;
attention is given to the language of the various speakers, characterization,
social context, and above all, parody and humor of Petronius's work. In
addition, the development of the novel is studied through readings in
translation of both Greek and Roman writings. D. N. Rudall. Winter.
213/313. Virgil: Aeneid, Book 13. PQ: Latin 206 or equivalent.
Extensive readings in the Aeneid are integrated with extensive
selections from the newer secondary literature to provide a thorough survey of
recent trends in Vergilian criticism and the criticism of Latin poetry more
generally. R. Kaster. Spring.
216/316. Augustine: Confessions. PQ: Latin 206 or equivalent.
Substantial selections from books 1-9 of the Confessions are read in
Latin and all thirteen books are read in English, with particular attention to
Augustine's style and thought. Further readings in English provide background
for the historical religious situation of the late fourth century. P. White.
Autumn.
221/321. Lucretius: De Rerum Natura. PQ: Latin 206 or equivalent.
This course consists of translation and discussion. Selections from the six
books are read in Latin. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered
1996-97.
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Classical Studies Courses
Courses designated "Classical Civilization" do not require knowledge of
Greek or Latin.
Classical Civilization
218/318. Gender and Society in Ancient Greece (=Hist 216). This course
explores the social construction of gender in ancient Greece from Homer through
the classical period by examining a wide variety of literary, philosophical,
medical, and legal texts by such authors as Plato, Aristotle, Euripides,
Sophocles, Aristophanes, Lysias, Demosthenes, and Aeschines. Our focus is on
both heterosexual and homoerotic institutions and practices and employs a good
deal of comparative historical and anthropological material. Students from
disciplines outside of classics and ancient history are encouraged to attend.
D. Cohen. Winter.
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Greek
101. Introduction to Attic Greek I. This course introduces students to
the basic rules of ancient Greek. Class time is spent on the explanation of
grammar, translation from Greek to English and from English to Greek, and
discussion of student work. Knowledge of Greek not required. L. Slatkin.
Autumn.
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Latin
101. Introduction to Classical Latin I. This course includes discussion
and drill in the rudiments of Latin grammar, with practice in translating
English into Latin, as well as readings from various Latin authors. R.
Kaster. Autumn.