CLS 29: The Archaeology of Palestine in the Classical Periods

This course surveys the archaeology of Palestine (modern-day Israel and Jordan) from the Persian period (ca. 586 B.C.) To the Muslim conquest (640 A.D.). The slide-illustrated lectures will introduce students to the relevant historical background, the major archaeological sites, and the material culture (pottery, coins, etc.). The topics that will be covered include the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jerusalem in the time of Jesus, and the development of ancient synagogues and churches. Course grades will be based on two mid-term examinations, a final examination, and a short research paper.

Crosslisted: ARCH 29/FAH 018/JS 077

Prerequisites: None

MAGNESS 63+ (M1:05-2:20, W11:30-12:45)
 
 
 

CLS 31: Classics of Greece

Athens under Pericles, in the fifth century B.C., became the intellectual and artistic center of the Greek world, with achievements admired by all subsequent ages. What was Athens' inspiration? This course uses the literature of ancient Greece to explore aspects of Athenian life; the development of democracy, the flowering of poetic drama, the early growth of moral philosophy, and ideals of education and fitness. Works read include Homer's Iliad or Odyssey; plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes; selections from Herodotus and Thucydides; and dialogues of Plato. There are usually two or three quizzes or hour exams and a final exam.

Prerequisites: None

HALPERN 27 (TuWF 9:30-10:20)
 

CLS 32: Classics of Rome

An introduction to Roman civilization and culture as seen through its literature (read in English translation). Particular attention will be paid to Rome of the Late Republic and the Age of the Emperor Augustus, in order to understand the profound political, intellectual and artistic developments of that era. Readings normally include some of Cicero's speeches and essays, Virgil's Aeneid, parts of Ovid's Metamorphoses and Art of Love, Catullus' poems, the Satires of Juvenal and other Latin authors. No previous knowledge of Classics assumed.

Prerequisites: None

MERZLAK 37 (M9:30-10:20, TuTh10:30-11:20)
 
 
 

CLS 37: History of Ancient Greece

An introductory survey of the historical development of Ancient Greece and the interaction of society, politics, and culture in the Greek world. We begin with the Mycenaean civilization commemorated by Homer and unearthed by archaeology, follow the evolution of distictive institutions and values in the formative Archaic Period, observe the flourishing of Greek politics and culture in the Classical Period, culminating in the conquests of Alexander the Great and the diffusion of the Greek way of life in the succeeding Hellenistic Age. Highlights include the city-state as the characteristic form of communal organization, the evolution of democracy, the creation of new forms of intellectual and artistic expression, and the relationship of the Greeks to other peoples of the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Examination of materials, both literary and documentary, which are the basis of our knowledge of Greek History.

Crosslisted: HST 16

Prerequisites: None

HIRSCH 53+ (TuTh 11:30-12:45)
 
 
 

CLS 45: Western Political Thought I

This course examines the ideas of Thucydides, Aristophanes, Plato, Aristotle, and Lucretius on nature, war, justice, philosophy, art, science, democracy, and constitutionalism. It analyzes how the ancients' thinking has helped structure all future Western political debate on these questions. The course also studies how political philosophy changed in the course of the rise and fall of the Athenian and Roman empires, including the development of Christian political doctrine. The course closes with an analysis of Machiavelli and the new politcal outlook of those who challenged the hegemony of Christianity.

Crosslisted: PS 45/PHIL 45

Prerequisites: ????

DEVIGNE B3 (TuTh1:05-2:20)
 
 
 

CLS 136: Age of Alexander

This course will examine the life and legacy of one of the most famous men of the Greek world, Alexander the Great. After two or three weeks of introductory lectures outlining the history of both his time and the subsequent age (Hellenistic period), we will consider several subjects in depth, through students' oral reports and discussion. Topics will include the concept of the devine ruler in Greece and the Near East; the nature of relations between Greeks and "barbarians"; the military innovations of Philip II (Alexander's father), Alexander, and his successors; the literary and scientific products of Alexandria, cultural capital of the Hellenistic world; and the story of Alexander's life as it changed over time. Students will read a variety of works written in antiquity, including (but not limited to) Arrian's account of Alexander's military campaigns, Plutarch's biographies of the major figures of the Hellenistic period, and the poems of Hellenistic writers like Callimachus, Theocritus and Apollonius. The course grade will be based on oral reports, periodic quizzes, and at least one exam.

Prerequisites: CLS 31 or 37

BYNUM B3 (TuTh1:05-2:20)
 
 
 

CLS 146: History of Ancient Greek & Roman Medicine

The historical development of ancient Greek and Roman medicine with emphasis on methodology and sources, as well as the assessment of the influence of ancient medicine on the development of modern Western clinical medicine. Topics covered include ancient practices with regard to anatomy, physiology, surgery, pharmacology, etiology of disease, and medical deontology.

Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing

PHILLIPS 65+ (MTh1:05-2:20)
 
 
 

CLS 151: Ancient Philosophy

History of Western Philosophy from its Greek beginnings in the sixth century B.C. with major emphasis on the works of Plato and Aristotle.

Crosslisted: PHIL 151

Prerequisites: PHIL 001 or consent

TBA 37 (M9:30-10:20 TuTh10:30-11:20)
 
 

CLS 187: Dead Sea Scrolls

The first Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a bedouin boy in 1947, when he stumbled into a cave near the site of Qumran, by the shore of the Dead Sea. This discovery soon generated a great deal of excitement among scholars, who realized that some of the scrolls represent the oldest preserved copies of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), dating to about the time of Jesus. Others are literary works describing the beliefs and practices of an extreme Jewish sect. Since their discovery, the scrolls have been the focus of intense scholarly debate, centering around such questions as the identity of this Jewish sect; the nature of their beliefs and practices; their possible connections with or influence upon early Christianity; and the character of the site of Qumran. We will explore all of these questions and more, in a course designed as a seminar; each class meeting will focus upon a specific topic or question. Be propared for reading assignments, oral reports. classroom discussion, and writing assignments.

Crosslisted: ARCH 187/FAH 190B/JS 191

Prerequisites: none

MAGNESS W3 (W6:30-9:30pm)
 
 

LAT 1: Elementary Latin

A course for beginners and those who need a refresher course in the language. Emphasis will be on training students to read Latin at an early stage in the course. Simplified authentic Latin selections from over 2,000 years ago will reflect questions that intrigue us today. Great stress will be placed on vocabulary building, through a study of English derivatives from Latin words, and on culture, through visual images from slides and from the internet.

Prerequisites: none

SETNIK 47 (MWF 10:30-11:20)
 
 
 

LAT 3: Intermediate Latin

In this class, we will read Cicero's work De Amicitis. This dialogue serves as an ample resource for reviewing and refining grammar, and for enhanciing fluency.

Prerequisite: LAT 1 + 2 or placement.

HALPERN 55+ (TuF 11:30-12:45)
 
 
 

LAT 21: Latin Prose & Poetry: Cicero

A close reading of Cicero's Pro Archiaas a reflection of Roman culture and society in the first century B.C., emphasis on building confidence and competence in translating Latin prose, as well as the review of morphology and syntax.

Prerequisite: LAT 3, or placement.

PHILLIPS D3 (TuTh 2:30-3:45)
 
 
 

LAT 181: Medieval Latin

Selections from the medieval Bestiary, the Carmina Burana, and the Navigatio of St. Brendan are used as an introduction to later Latin literature and paleography. Topics covered include Gothic and Irish manuscript hands and illuminations, and Vulgar Latin and its evolution into Romance. Some projects will require study of manuscripts in facsimile or microfilm. Midterm and final.

Prerequisite: LAT 21 or 22

REID A3+ (TuTh 3:50-5:05)
 
 

GRK 1: Elementary Greek

This course will introduce you to the language of ancient Greece, thereby opening the door to direct appreciation of some of the finest literature ever written. We will concentrate on basic grammar and vocabulary, but as early as possible you will be reading selected literary materials, as well as learning about Greek society and culture. You will find that learning an ancient language is different from studying a modern, spoken language--providing a special intellectual challenge, allowing you to read authentic documents at an earlier stage, and giving you direct access to the words, thoughts, and mind of such influential figures as Homer, Euripedes, Plato, and the New Testament writers.

Prerequisites: None

HIRSCH D3(TuTh 2:30-3:45)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

GRK 7: Greek Classics

A review of grammar in accord with student needs will be followed by selected readings from Plato. Brief selections from a variety of authors of both poetry and prose will be used to reaffirm the students' knowledge of Greek grammar and syntax.

Prerequisites: GRK 2 or placement

REID 85+(MTh 2:30-3:45)
 
 
 

GRK 104: Plato

Reading in Greek and analysis of the Symposium, Plato's poetic and dramatic masterpiece on the nature of Love, featuring the personae of Socrates, Alcibiades, Aristophanes, and tragedian Agathon, and others. Midterm, final, and paper.

Prerequisites: GRK 7 or consent

REID D3 (TuTh 2:30-3:45)

LAT 3: Intermediate Latin

A Latin reading course intended to meet the needs of those who have recently completed an introductory survey of grammar and syntax (usually two semesters of Latin). We will focus upon the prose of Caesar's Bellum Gallicum and the poetry of Caesar's contemporary, Catullu. Exploration of the social, historical, and literary background of these two important authors of the late Roman Republic will complement regular reviews of grammar and syntax.

Prerequisites: none

TROUT (TuWTh 10-12:15)

CLS 91s/191s: Comedy: Aristophanes and Athens

Aristophanes' comedies will be used as a base from which to explore the social, political, and intellectual climate in Athens in the latter part of the Fifth Century BCE. Clouds will introduce us to Socrates and the Sophists, Frogs to Aeschylus and Euripides, Wasps to the working of the Athenian democracy and law-courts, Birds to the exuberance of Athenian imperialism and the Periclean building program, The Congresswomen to gender issues, and Lysistrata to the war with Spata. Plays of Aeschylus and Euripides, excerpts from dialogues of Plato, including Protagoras and Socrates' Defence, and selections from Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War will supplement our study of Athens' greatest comic playwright. Some in-class dramatic readings of scenes from Aristophanes' other comedies. All works will be read in English. Students wishing upper-level credit (CLS 191s) will be required to write a paper.

Prerequisites: none

REID (MW1:00-4:30)

CLS 65S Journey of the Hero

Every hero may be understood to embark upon a journey--be it physical, psychological, or both--in the assumption and execution of an extraordinary feat. This course uses the literature of the classical period, middle ages, and nineteenth and twentieth centuries to identify "heroic" qualities, measure them against both the dramatic and historic time of composition, and determine the way in which ideals go beyond generic and temporal differences. Works include Homer's Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid, Tennyson's Idylls of the King, and J.R.R. Tolkien's "Ring Trilogy". All works are read in English.

Prerequisites: none

HALPERN (MW 9-12:30)