Classics, the study of the civilizations of the ancient Greeks and Romans, has always been an integral part of liberal arts education in general and of Jesuit education in particular. Classical art, literature, mythology, religion, philosophy, history, archaeology, and the Greek and Latin languages are some of the major components of the discipline.
The intrinsic interest, timeless value and immense influence of its subject matter, together with the precision of thought and clarity of expression fostered through the study of Greek and Latin, have earned international respect for Classics. The acceptance rate of Classics students into a variety of graduate programs and into schools of law and medicine consistently ranks very high. Many professions also prize the combination of intelligence and discipline identified with Classics. These considerations make Classics courses worthwhile, popular electives and distinguish the minor in Classics as an ideal complement to any academic major.
Students interested in exploring Classics may do so in several ways:
a. All students may choose Classics courses as electives or to satisfy requirements of the core curriculum, e.g.
Field 1: courses in Greek and Roman religious experience;
Field 2: a course in Greek thought and courses in which Greek and Roman philosophical texts are studied in the original;
Field 3: courses dealing with classical literature, drama, and myth in English translation and courses in which Greek and Latin literary texts are studied in the original;
Field 4: courses in Greek and Roman history and courses in which Greek and Roman historians and historical evidence are studied in the original.
b. Minors. The department offers two minor programs:
- a departmental minor requiring courses in classical language, history and literature;
- an interdepartmental minor combining courses from the departments of classics, art history, history, philosophy,political science and religious studies. Both minors require the completion of six courses and allow the student some choice in course selection.
Student Learning Goals
Students with a minor in Classics will:
Goal 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental grammar and syntax of either Greek or Latin or of both languages necessary to translate ancient texts with the aid of a dictionary and grammar.Classics Departmental Minor:
Goal 2: Demonstrate an understanding of the complex relationships between religion, language, literature, philosophy, art and social structures.
Goal 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the historical dimension of the human condition.
Goal 4: Demonstrate an appreciation of the legacy of classical antiquity.
| Classical language: two semesters of Latin or Greek (CLL OR CLG) |
6 credits | |
| CLS 103 Greek History | ||
| OR | ||
| CLS 104 Roman History | 3 credits | |
| CLS 205 Mirror of the Past: Greece | ||
| OR | ||
| CLS 206 Mirror of the Past: Rome | 3 credits | |
| Classics electives: two upper-level (200 or above, including FAH 210 and 213) CLG, CLL or CLS courses |
6 credits | |
| Total (6 courses) | 18 credits | |
| Classics Interdepartmental Minor: | ||
| Classical language: two semesters of Latin or Greek (CLL OR CLG) |
6 credits | |
| Classics elective: one course | 3 credits | |
| Interdepartmental electives: three courses (FAH 101, 210, 213; HIS 106; HON 110; PHI 351; PSC 110; RST 215, 250, 251, 321, 405) |
9 credits | |
| Total (6 courses) | 18 credits | |
COURSES: 2009 - 2011
CLS 103 Greek History 3 credits
Social, political, and intellectual history of the Greeks from the end of the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period. (Field 4) Fall
CLS 104 Roman History 3 credits
Social, political, and intellectual history of Rome from the foundation of the city to Late Antiquity. (Field 4) Spring
CLS 200 The 300: Myth and Reality 3 credits
The 300 Spartans’ defense of Thermopylae and its subsequent portrayal in literature, art and film from antiquity to the present. Summers only
CLS 205 Mirror of the Past: Greece 3 credits
Fundamental social, political, moral, religious and intellectual aspects of the human condition as reflected in a variety of Greek writers. (Field 3) Fall
CLS 206 Mirror of the Past: Rome 3 credits
Fundamental social, political, moral, religious and intellectual aspects of the human condition as reflected in a variety of Roman writers. (Field 3) Spring
CLS 207 Mythology and Literature 3 credits
Major classical myths: origin, content and interpretation. Modern approaches to mythology. Influence upon literature. (Field 3) Fall/Spring
CLS 208 Epic Heroes 3 credits
Portrayal of heroes in Gilgamesh, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Apollonius’ Argonautica and Virgil’s Aeneid. Influence of ancient epic heroes on literature, art and film from antiquity to the present. (Field 3) Fall 2009-2010 only
FAH 210 Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art 3 credits
(Accepted for Classics minor credit)
Introduction to the formal and cultural analysis and interpretation of the painting, sculpture and architecture of ancient Egypt and the Near East. (Field 3) Spring 2009-2010 only
FAH 213 Greek and Roman Art 3 credits
(Accepted for Classics minor credit)
A look at the temples, tombs, pottery, painting and sculpture of the Greek and Roman worlds — what these objects meant to their creators and how they have influenced the things we see around us and our feelings about beauty and art. (Field 3) Spring 2010-2011 only
CLS 214 Greek and Roman Tragedy 3 credits
(Accepted for WST credit)
Study of fifth-century Greek tragedy, its origins, cultural setting, staging, performance and influence. Readings from Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and the Roman tragedian, Seneca. (Field 3) Fall 2010-2011 only
CLS 215 Greek and Roman Comedy 3 credits
Study of Greek and Roman comedy, its origins, cultural settings, staging, performance and influence. Readings from Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus and Terence. (Field 3) Spring 2009-2010 only
CLS 300 Roman Law and Society 3 credits
(Accepted for WST credit)
Exploration of major concepts and principles of Roman law and the society in which they developed. Studies of cases from the writings of Roman jurists. (Justice and Oral Communication Attributes) Fall 2009-2010 only
CLS 301 The Age of Cicero 3 credits
An introduction to Roman literature and society in the first century B.C. with a focus on the development of the genres of Latin literature and the relationship between politics and literature. Spring 2010-2011 only
CLS 308 Pagans and Christians 3 credits
Religious thought and action from the 3rd through 8th centuries A.D.. The idea of the holy; manifestations of the sacred; body, soul, cosmos; Christianity and classical culture; Neoplatonism. Field 1) Spring 2009-2010 only
CLS 309 Greek and Roman Religion 3 credits
Religious thought and action in ancient Greece and Rome from Homer through the 2nd century A.D. Polytheism, anthropomorphism, ritual, cult and sacrifice. (Field 1) Fall 2010-2011 only
CLS 311 Alexander the Great 3 credits
Philip II and the rise of Macedon. Alexander’s personality, his conquests, and their social, political and intellectual consequences. Hellenistic culture. Fall 2010-2011 only.
CLS 312 The Greek Enlightenment 3 credits
Greek thought from Homer to Plato. Lyric poets, Hippocratic texts, Presocratics and Sophists, Athenian tragedy, Thucydides, Aristophanes and Plato. Impact of literacy on Greek thought. Greek philosophy in its social and historical context. (Field 2) Spring 2010-2011 only
CLS 314 The Decline and Fall 3 credits
Imperial crisis and recovery of the third century, Constantine and Christianity, barbarian invasions, late Roman Empire, rise of Islam, end of Late Antiquity. Fall 2009-2010 only.
CLG = Greek Language Courses
CLG 101 Elementary Greek 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of classical Greek. Selected readings. Fall
CLG 102 Elementary Greek 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of classical Greek. Selected readings. Prerequisite: CLG 101 or instructor's permission Spring
CLG 201- 206 Greek Literature 3 credits each
Selected Greek literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Prerequisite: CLG 101-102 or instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLG 207-212 Greek Historians 3 credits each
Selected Greek historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Prerequisite: CLG 101-102 or instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLG 213-218 Greek Philosophers 3 credits each
Selected Greek philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Prerequisite: CLG 101-102 or instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLG 301-306 Readings in Greek Literature 3 credits each
Selected Greek literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Prerequisite: instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLG 307-312 Readings in Greek History 3 credits each
Greek historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Prerequisite: instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLG 313-318 Readings in Greek Philosophy 3 credits each
Readings in selected Greek philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Prerequisite: instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLL = Latin Language Courses
CLL 101 Elementary Latin 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of classical Latin. Selected readings. Fall
CLL 102 Elementary Latin 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of classical Latin. Selected readings. Prerequisite: CLL 101 or instructor's permission Spring
CLL 201 206 Latin Literature 3 credits each
Readings in selected Latin literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Prerequisite: CLL 101-102 or instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLL 207-212 Roman Historians 3 credits each
Readings in selected Roman historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Prerequisite: CLL 101-102 or instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLL 213-218 Roman Philosophers 3 credits each
Readings in selected Roman philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Prerequisite: CLL 101-102 or instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLL 301-306 Readings in Latin Literature 3 credits each
Readings in selected Latin literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Prerequisite: instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLL 307-312 Readings in Roman History 3 credits each
Readings in selected Roman historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Prerequisite: instructor's permission Fall/Spring
CLL 313-318 Readings in Roman Philosophy 3 credits each
Readings in selected Roman philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Prerequisite: instructor's permission