| Department of Classics, Colgate University
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Course Offerings 221 The Epic Voice and Its Echoes Beginning with the first poems in the
Western tradition, this course studies the epic genre in all its
distinctiveness and variety. It explores the themes and ideology of epic,
ranging from the heroic to the philosophical and didactic, and considers how
the poet deals with fundamental questions: the nature of heroism, life and
death, individual and community, mortals and immortals, memory and the power
of poetry. It also examines the craft of the epic poet, uniquely situated
between orality and writing. Authors studied include Homer, Hesiod,
Apollonius, Lucretius, Vergil, and Derek Walcott. 222 The Tragic and Comic Muse This course examines selected plays of the three great tragedians — Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides — and of the comedian Aristophanes. It focuses on the tragic account of human nature and its relationship to the gods, but considers as well comedy’s response to that account. Other topics for discussion include the role of Athenian politics, religion, and sociology within the plays and the importance of the classical stage in Athenian life.223 Lyric and Erotic Poetry of Greece and Rome A study of the poetry that emerged over an eight-hundred-year period in both Greece and Rome, exploring selections by Sappho, Alcman, Theognis, Pindar, Catullus, Horace, Ovid, and others. The course will examine the socio-cultural background that gave rise to these poets, the technique of lyric poetry in the Greek and Latin languages, and the themes and poetics of these shorter poetic forms.224 In, Around, and Beyond the Augustan Age An introduction to the literature and culture of the Augustan Age, that period of Roman history in which the Empire was established and many of its best-known artists flourished. Readings include selections from and works by the poets Lucretius, Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Ovid, and Lucan, by the historians Livy and Tacitus, and by the "novelist" Petronius.230 Classical Mythology This course introduces students to the myths of both the Greek and the Roman world. Students not only acquire a thorough knowledge of the major myths surrounding both gods and heroes but also gain an appreciation of the variety of approaches to understanding and interpreting them. Readings are drawn from ancient texts and from modern critical works. 231 Greek Religion This course covers the period from the Bronze Age to and including the Hellenistic era. The following topics are considered: the phenomenon of anthropomorphism; the connection between mythology and ritual; the status of the dead; the function of the sanctuary; the role of the priest and the seer; hero-worship; evidence for human sacrifice; ecstasy, madness and possession; the place of religion within the Greek city-state; prayers, curses, and inherited guilt; festivals and spectacles; pollution-belief; Orphism; the rise of mystery religions; and the relationship between Olympian and chthonian religion. This course is also listed as RELG 282. 232 Women in Greek and Roman Antiquity This course considers concepts of sexuality and gender in the Graeco-Roman world. It explores the portrayal of the female experience in classical mythology and examines the legal, economic, social, and religious position of women as reflected in historical documents and the archaeological record. Special attention is given to comparing the mythological images with the realities of women’s lives in Greek and Roman society. 233 Greek Art The pre-Hellenic, Classical, and Hellenistic art and architecture of Greece are studied, with special emphasis upon the ways they reflect Greek character and ideals. 234 Archaeology of Greece This course is an introduction to Minoan, Mycenaean, and Greek civilizations and includes a survey of major sites and monuments. Attention is given to ways arguments are developed from the archaeological record. 235 Archaeology of Italy An introduction to the Italic, Etruscan, and Roman civilizations of the Italian peninsula and the foreign (Greek and Phoenician) influences on them. The course surveys major sites and monuments. Attention is given to the ways in which arguments are developed from the archaeological record. 236 Greek History The history of ancient Greece from the Dark Ages to the conquests of Alexander the Great. Through readings of Herodotus and Thucydides, emphasis is placed on political and social developments at Athens and Sparta, the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, and the events that led to the rise of Alexander’s empire. 237 Roman History The history of ancient Rome from its foundation through to the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Emphasis is placed on political, constitutional, and social developments. 250 The Material Culture of Rome and Pompeii This Extended Study course introduces students to how knowledge of the materials culture of Rome and Italy informs our understanding of the ancient Roman World. Weekly readings and meetings on historical, archaeological, and literary topics designed to enhance the on-site experience culminate in a three-week trip to Rome and Pompeii during which students explore 1) three layers of ancient Rome: archaic, late Republican / early Imperial (the Rome of Caesar and Augustus), and the high Roman empire of the second century C.E.; and 2) the daily life of the towns of Imperial Rome as it appears through the archaeological remains at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Oplontis. Prerequisite: Enrollment in or completion of LATN 102 or higher. 101-102 Elementary Classical Greek An introductory study of the elements of the Greek language. A thorough and methodical approach to the basics is supplemented, as students progress, by selected readings of works by ancient authors. 123-124 Intensive Classical Greek An intensive one-semester version of GREK 101-102. This is a double course (taught eight hours per week) that allows students to proceed rapidly to the reading of Greek texts. This course assumes no previous knowledge of Greek. Students should consult with the instructor about their schedules before enrolling. 201 Intermediate Greek: Prose This intermediate-level course in the Greek language focuses on readings in one or more of the following prose authors: Xenophon, Herodotus, Plato. Students increase their knowledge of Greek grammar and style while devoting attention to literary, historical, or philosophical analysis. Prerequisite: GREK 101-102 or GREK 123-124. Students with high school background in Greek may be admitted. 202 Intermediate Greek: Poetry An intermediate-level course in the Greek language with readings from one of the following poets: Sophocles, Homer, Euripides. Students increase their knowledge of Greek grammar and style and of the basic literary and technical aspects of Greek poetry. Prerequisite: GREK 101-102 or GREK 123-124. Students with high school background in Greek may be admitted. 300-level courses are taught in a multi-year rotation with a view to special interests demonstrated by students. In a given year, at least two of the following courses are offered: 301 Greek Tragedy Close reading and study of one or more plays from the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, or Euripides. This course is designed to give students a wider appreciation of the genre of Greek tragedy as well as to increase their philological skills. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 302 Aristophanes This course studies at least one play of the Athenian comic poet Aristophanes. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the comedies of Aristophanes and Athenian tragedy; the language of Aristophanic comedy; and to the social and political background of his works. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 310 Homer Close reading and study of selections from the Iliad or the Odyssey. Students, in addition to mastering the epic language, acquire a clearer sense of the place of the epics in Greek literary history. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 320 Herodotus Close reading and study of selections from the Histories of Herodotus, the so-called father of history. This course introduces students to the study of Greek historiography and the nature of Herodotean history. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 321 Thucydides Close reading and study of selections from the History of the Peloponnesian War of Thucydides, an astute political and historical analysis of the great conflict between Athens and Sparta that ended with the defeat of Athens. This course pays particular attention to the complex language of Thucydides and to his historiographical principles. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 330 Greek Oratory This course focuses primarily on selections from speeches of Demosthenes and at least one of the following orators: Gorgias, Isocrates, Lysias, Aeschines. The course explores Greek prose styles and rhetorical strategies by comparing these authors. Speeches from other genres of literature (e.g. epic, tragedy, history, philosophy) may also be included. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 340 Lyric Poetry This course introduces students to the reading and analysis of archaic Greek lyric poetry. Selections may include works of Tyrtaeus, Archilochus, Pindar, Mimnermus, and other lyric poets. The focus is on poetical technique and the basic nature and structure of early Greek poetry. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 350 Plato Translation and close study of selected dialogues of Plato. This course focuses on the importance of Plato’s Greek and the dialogues’ structure to the philosophical arguments of each work. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 351 Pre-Socratic Philosophers Translation and close study of selections from the following philosophers: Heraclitus, Empedocles, Anaximander, Anaximenes, and others active prior to Plato and Socrates. Prerequisite: GREK 201 or higher, or permission of the instructor. 352 Aristotle This course introduces students to the basic elements of Aristotelian philosophy through translation and close study of selections from the Nicomachean Ethics, the Politics, the Poetics, or the Metaphysics. 360 New Testament Translation and close study of selections from the Greek New Testament (the language in which the New Testament was originally written). Prerequisite: GREK 101-102 or GREK 123-124. Students with high school background in Greek may be admitted. 490 Honors Independent study, open to candidates for honors. 291, 391, 491, 492 Independent Studies These courses offer students the opportunity to pursue individual study projects with prior approval of the instructor and the chair of the department. 101-102 Elementary Latin An introductory study of the elements of the Latin language. A thorough and methodical approach to the basics is supplemented, as students progress, by selected readings of works by ancient authors. 201 Intermediate Latin: Prose This course examines the prose styles of Cicero and Sallust through readings of selections from both Cicero’s Orations and Sallust’s Bellum Catilinae. Close reading allows students to expand and develop their knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax as well as to learn the fundamentals of Latin prose style. Prerequisite: LATN 101-102. Students with high school background in Latin may also be admitted. 202 Intermediate Latin: Poetry Introduction to Latin poetry through close reading of selections from Vergil’s Aeneid. Students gain a wider appreciation of the technical and literary aspects of Latin poetry through their acquaintance with Rome’s great epic poet. Prerequisite: LATN 101-102. Students with high school background in Latin may also be admitted. 300-level courses are taught in a multi-year rotation with a view to special interests demonstrated by students. In a given year, at least two of the following courses are offered: 301 Roman Lyric Translation and study of selections from Catullus and from the Odes and Epodes of Horace. Catullus and Horace were the two poets most responsible for transferring Greek lyric forms into Latin poetry. Particular attention is paid to the development and substance of Roman literary critical judgment as evidenced in the poetry itself. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 310 Vergil Close reading and study of selections from Vergil’s Eclogues and Georgics, his contributions to pastoral and didactic poetry. This course focuses on the literary precedents for these genres, Vergil’s own contributions within this context, and on the two works as literary predecessors for the Aeneid. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 320 Tacitus Close reading and analysis of selections from the Annals of Tacitus and other works. Particular attention is paid to the historiographical method of Tacitus as well as to the Roman imperial period that is the subject of the bulk of his work. Selections from other Roman historians may be examined for comparison. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 321 Livy In this course, selections from Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita are subjected to close reading and analysis. Particular attention is paid to Livy’s historiographical method as well as to the Roman Republican period that is the subject of the bulk of his work. Selections from other Roman historians may be examined for comparison. Prerequisites: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 340 Lucretius Close reading and analysis of the epic poem of Lucretius that presents the philosophy of Epicurus on the nature of the world, De Rerum Natura. In addition to focusing of the philosophical content of this work and on the uniqueness of the latinitas of Lucretius, this course introduces students to the debt later Latin poets owe this poet-philosopher. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 350 Roman Comedy At least one complete play from the early Roman comedians, Plautus and Terence, is subjected to close reading and analysis in this course. The focus is on Roman social structure satirized and revealed within the comedies as well as on the unique language of the plays. This allows a glimpse at a more colloquial Latin than that of later poets and prose stylists. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 351 Roman Tragedy Close reading and analysis of at least one complete play from the Roman tragedian Seneca. Students gain a wider appreciation of Seneca’s style as well as of his relationship to his Greek predecessors and European followers. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 360 Roman Elegy Selections from Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid, and Catullus are subjected to close reading and analysis. Particular attention is paid to the development and tradition of the genre of Roman elegy. The Roman elegists oppose their own poetical technique and thematic direction to that of the writers of more "serious" poetry. Students explore this dichotomy. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 370 Ovid Close reading and analysis of one of the most influential of ancient works, the Metamorphoses. Ovid’s epic poem encompasses all of Graeco-Roman myth, poetry, and history. Students have the opportunity to master Ovid’s classic Latin style and to explore his influences and those he influenced. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 380 Petronius A reading of the surviving fragments of the Satyricon of Petronius. The Cena Trimalchionis is read in its entirety. This work, considered perhaps the first novel in literary history, offers an unusual glimpse into the decadent world of southern Italy in the late first century A.D. Particular attention is paid to the variety of the writer’s Latin style that reflects language used by different social classes in this period. Prerequisite: LATN 201 or higher, or permission of instructor. 490 Honors Independent study, open to candidates for honors. 291, 292, 391, 392, 491, 492 Independent Studies These courses offer students the opportunity for individual study projects with prior approval of instructor and the chair of the department. 501, 502 Special Studies For graduate students only. |
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