The theoretical and ideological bases of the Western attitudes toward sex and gender categories in their formative period in the Greco-Roman world through the study of myth and ritual, archaeology, art, literature, philosophy, science, medicine, law, economics, and historiography. Selected readings in classical and modern texts.
Sex and Gender in the Ancient World
Professor/Instructor
Melissa HaynesGreek Law and Legal Practice
Professor/Instructor
Marc Domingo GygaxThe development of Greek legal traditions, from Homer to the Hellenistic age. The course focuses on the relationship between ideas about justice, codes of law, and legal practice (courtroom trials, arbitration), and the development of legal theory. Two 90-minute seminars.
Modern Transformations of Classical Themes
Professor/Instructor
A special topic concerning the adaptation of one or more classical themes in contemporary culture through media such as literature, film, and music. Two 90-minute seminars.
Studies in the Classical Tradition
Professor/Instructor
Katerina StergiopoulouA classical genre or literary theme will be studied as it was handed down and transformed in later ages, for example, the European epic; ancient prose fiction and the picaresque tradition; the didactic poem. Two 90-minute seminars.
Topics in Classical Thought
Professor/Instructor
Mirjam Engert KotwickThe ancients were fascinated by dreams and debated a variety of views about the nature, origin, and function of dreams. Are dreams divine messages about the future, our souls' indications of impending diseases, or just distorted versions of earlier thoughts? Do dreams have meaning and if so, how can we understand them? We will explore ancient approaches to dreams and their enigmas in literature and philosophy, medical texts, and religious practices. Although our focus will be on Greek and Roman texts, we will also pay attention to earlier Near Eastern sources as well as modern dream theories from Freud to scientific dream research.
Junior Seminar: Introduction to Classics
Professor/Instructor
Daniela Evelyn MairhoferThis course will introduce concentrators to the study of classical antiquity. Students will become acquainted with different fields of study within the Department, including literature, ancient history, ancient culture, linguistics, and reception studies; gain experience in the methods of their chosen area(s) of study; and acquire an understanding of the history of the discipline and its place in the twenty-first century. Sessions will involve guest visits from members of the faculty. Particular attention will be paid to acquiring the skills necessary to pursue independent research and the selection of a topic for the spring Junior Paper.
The Formation of the Christian West
Professor/Instructor
Helmut ReimitzA study of the emergence of a distinctive Western European civilization out of Christian, Greco-Roman, and Germanic institutions and ideas from the decline of the Roman Empire to about A.D. 1050. Two lectures, one preceptorial.
The Civilization of the High Middle Ages
Professor/Instructor
William Chester JordanAn analysis of typical institutions, social and economic structures, and forms of thought and expression from about 1050 to about 1350. Emphasis is placed on the elements of medieval civilization that have influenced the subsequent history of European peoples. Two lectures, one preceptorial.
God, Satan, Goddesses, and Monsters: How Their Stories Play in Art, Culture, and Politics
Professor/Instructor
Elaine Hiesey PagelsThe seminar will investigate sources ranging from the Babylonian creation story and Homer's Illiad to passages from Genesis, Exodus, Job, the Hebrew prophets, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the New Testament to see how stories of invisible beings (gods, demons, angels) construct group identity (who "we" are, and who are the "others"--and what characterizes each) and express group values. One three-hour seminar.
Akkadian
Professor/Instructor
Johannes HauboldThis course offers an introduction to Akkadian, the language of ancient Babylon. The first half of the course introduces students to the basic concepts of Akkadian (old Babylonian) grammar and the cuneiform script. In the second half students consolidate their knowledge of the language by reading selections from classic Babylonian texts, such as the famous law code of King Hammurabi and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities
Professor/Instructor
This team-taught seminar examines texts, objects, periods and themes from an interdisciplinary perspective. Although designed to be the capstone course for students pursuing a certificate in Humanistic Studies, it is open to other students if space is available. The specific topic varies each year depending on the focus of the faculty team.
Greek Prose Composition
Professor/Instructor
Michael A. FlowerA weekly exercise in translating selected passages of English into Greek, with intensive study of grammar and style. Research paper not required for credit. Offered alternately with 501.
Latin Prose Composition
Professor/Instructor
Yelena BarazA weekly exercise in translating selected passages of English into Latin, with intensive study of grammar and style. Research paper not required for credit. Offered alternately with 500.
Survey of Selected Greek Literature
Professor/Instructor
Johannes HauboldThe course concentrates on reading selected texts within a particular genre or genres or period. Research paper not required for credit. Offered alternately with 503.
Survey of Selected Latin Literature
Professor/Instructor
Andrew Mark FeldherrThe course concentrates on reading selected texts within a particular genre or genres or period. Research paper not required for credit. Offered alternately with 502.
Greek Lyric Poetry
Professor/Instructor
Andrew Laughlin FordThe origin and development of Greek elegiac, iambic, and melic poetry; reading and analysis of the works of the various authors, with attention to linguistic, metrical, textual, and historical problems. Lectures and reports.
Greek Tragedy
Professor/Instructor
Joshua Henry BillingsThe origin and development of tragedy, the Greek theater, and the history of our texts. The course involves the reading and analysis of selected tragedies, with an emphasis on the language, meter, and interpretation of the plays. Lectures and report.
The Philosophy of Plato
Professor/Instructor
Hendrik LorenzThe course is a study of the development of Plato's thought and an examination of the validity of his major contributions in the areas of metaphysics, epistemology, cosmology, and ethics.
Problems in Greek Literature
Professor/Instructor
Johannes HauboldSpecial problems are selected for intensive investigation, such as the origin and development of a genre, analysis of form, and history of ideas.
Problems in Greek Literature
Professor/Instructor
Special problems are selected for intensive investigation, such as the origin and development of a genre, analysis of form, and history of ideas.
Problems in Post-Classical and Byzantine Literature
Professor/Instructor
Emmanuel C. BourbouhakisAs the late antique present began to dramatically assert its variance with the venerable Greco-Roman past, historical writing took on a significance hardly surpassed before, or after. Course surveys the diverse corpus of historiography in Greek from the 4th to the 7th centuries (and perhaps a bit beyond) when an unprecedented number of registers entered and enlarged the historiographic genre. Class reads texts in Greek (for accuracy and formal concerns) as well as in translation (for scope). Scholarship will buttress our weekly discussion.
Seminar in Roman Art
Professor/Instructor
Michael KoortbojianThe seminar pursues research on a varying set of topics (differing every year) on ancient Roman art and architecture.
Studies in Greco-Roman Religions
Professor/Instructor
Elaine Hiesey PagelsThemes, figures, and movements in the religions of antiquity are examined.
Greek History
Professor/Instructor
Michael A. FlowerA comprehensive introduction to central topics and methods of Greek history, offering a chronological overview of periods and significant developments; a survey of research tools and specialized sub-disciplines (e.g., epigraphy and numismatics); as well as important theoretical approaches to the study of the past (e.g., positivism, or the Annales School).
Problems in Greek History
Professor/Instructor
Special problems, such as Athenian imperialism, Sparta, political structures, and the political role of cults and festivals, are studied in rotation.