Classics, Greek and Latin (CLA, GRE, LAT)

Academic Catalog: 2017–2018

  • Eric Dugdale, Chairperson
  • Seán Easton
  • William Freiert
  • Yurie Hong
  • Mary McHugh, Associate Provost and Dean of General Education and Assessment, 2017–2018
  • Matthew Panciera
  • William Bruce (Visiting, 2017–2018)

The Department of Classics introduces students to the foundations of Western culture in the civilizations of Greece and Rome. The department offers courses in the Greek and Latin languages and literatures as well as Classical Studies courses which do not require knowledge of Latin or Greek.

Greek and Latin courses aim to equip students to read the masterpieces of ancient literature in the original as quickly as possible. Classical Studies courses give students a broad overview of Greek and Roman literature, history, and society, and of the surviving monuments of ancient art and architecture. The study of Greek helps students learn essential vocabulary and concepts in the sciences, philosophy, and theology. Greek is especially helpful for those interested in studying the Christian scriptures. Recent research has shown that study of Latin markedly improves one’s knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar. A knowledge of Latin provides skills useful in many careers, including business, law, and medical careers.

Majors are encouraged to study abroad. The department offers interested and qualified students the opportunity to study for one or two semesters of the junior year in Athens through the College Year in Athens program, or in Rome with the Intercollegiate Center program. For students who come to classics because of an interest in archaeology, the department can assist in making arrangements for participating in archeological excavations and field-schools.

Majors are available in Classics (with Greek and/or Latin concentration(s)) or Latin Teaching. Those interested in Latin teaching should consult the Classics chairperson and the teacher education coordinator. Those considering studying classics at the graduate level should consult the department about specific coursework. Students interested in pursuing a Classics major through the Religions of the Ancient World path are encouraged to consult the details of possible interdisciplinary course selections available on the Gustavus Adolphus College Classics department website.

Classics Major (with Greek concentration):

The major consists of nine courses:

  1. Four courses in Greek above GRE-102
  2. One level 2 course in Classical Studies
  3. CLA-399 Classics Capstone Seminar
  4. Three additional courses chosen from Classical Studies, Greek, or Latin. With the consent of the Department of Classics, students may count towards the major courses from other departments relevant to their study of the ancient world (e.g. Anthropology, Art History, GIS, History, Linguistics, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion)

Classics Major (with Latin concentration):

The major consists of nine courses:

  1. Four courses in Latin above LAT-102
  2. One level 2 course in Classical Studies
  3. CLA-399 Classics Capstone Seminar
  4. Three additional courses chosen from Classical Studies, Greek, or Latin. With the consent of the Department of Classics, students may count towards the major courses from other departments relevant to their study of the ancient world (e.g. Anthropology, Art History, GIS, History, Linguistics, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion)

Classics Major (with Greek and Latin concentrations):

The major consists of 10 courses:

  1. Four courses in the primary language (Greek or Latin) above GRE-102/LAT-102
  2. Two courses in the secondary language (Greek or Latin) about GRE-102/LAT-102
  3. One level 2 course in Classical Studies
  4. CLA-399 Classics Capstone Seminar
  5. Two additional courses chosen from Classical Studies, Greek, or Latin. With the consent of the Department of Classics, students may count towards the major courses from other departments relevant to their study of the ancient world (e.g. Anthropology, Art History, GIS, History, Linguistics, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion)

Major with Honors:

In addition to fulfilling all the regular requirements for the major, students wishing to graduate with Honors in Classics or Latin should:

  1. Have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a 3.5 in the major at the time of application.
  2. Register for the Capstone Seminar in the spring semester of the junior year, if possible.
  3. Conduct a research project culminating in a thesis during the fall of the senior year. The thesis is registered as CLA-398 Honors Thesis (.25 course), is presented publicly, and must receive a grade of B or better to qualify for honors.
  4. Finally, Honors majors are strongly encouraged to take at least one year of study of a second classical language.

Latin Teaching Major:

The major consists of LAT-201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 304, and 375, CLA-101 and 202, MLC-357, and all courses required for licensure, including student teaching (see Department of Education).

Minor:

A minor in Classical Studies consists of five courses:

  1. Two Greek or two Latin courses above GRE-102 or LAT-102.
  2. One course in Classical Studies.
  3. Two additional courses chosen from Classical Studies, Greek, Latin, or from among appropriate courses in other departments.

A minor in Greek consists of five courses:

  1. Four courses in Greek above GRE-102.
  2. One course in Classical Studies.

A minor in Latin consists of five courses:

  1. Four courses in Latin above LAT-102.
  2. One course in Classical Studies.

Classical Studies (CLA)

101 Myth and Meaning (1 course) An introduction to the mythology of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The course surveys the major gods and heroes of classical antiquity, the most significant literary and artistic influences of classical myth, and the major schools of interpretation of myth. Illustrated lectures. Small-group discussions. Particular emphasis on the power of myth to represent meaning and value. LARS, Spring semester.

201 Ancient Greek History and Culture (1 course)  A chronological survey of Greek history and civilization from the Bronze Age to Alexander the Great. Readings from Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, the tragedians, Aristophanes, and others. The class will concentrate on the rise and fall of democracy, on the nature of the Greek city state, and on the development of national consciousness in ancient Greece. HIPHI, Fall semester, odd years.

202 Roman History and Culture (1 course) A chronological survey of Roman history from its beginnings until its decline and collapse. Emphasis on the religious, social, cultural, and political developments in Rome through an analysis of great works of Roman literature. HIPHI, Fall semester, even years.

211 Art and Archaeology of Greece (1 course) An introduction to the art and archaeology of Greece, focusing on the classical art of 5th century Athens. The course explores the origins and meaning of the classical style by examining the archaeological remains of the Minoans and Mycenaeans, the art and architecture of the geometric and archaic periods in Greece, and literary parallels in Homeric epic and Greek tragedy. The class studies the changes classical art underwent as it reflected the values and perceptions of the later Greeks. ARTS, Spring semester, even years.

212 Art and Archaeology of Rome (1 course) A survey of the art and archaeology of ancient Rome, beginning with its Etruscan origins, and focusing on the Republican and Imperial periods and the transition to the early Christian era. Statues, paintings, pottery, jewelry, temples, aqueducts, houses, forums, and town planning will be discussed in relationship to the culture that produced them. The course will explore Greek influence on Roman art and Roman influence on later art and architecture. ARTS, Spring semester, odd years.

244, 344 Special Topics in Classics (1 course, 1 course) Content will vary from semester to semester. Courses will explore a topic or issue in depth and students will read, write and discuss. Offered occasionally.

268, 368 Career Exploration, Internship (Course value to be determined) Off-campus employment experiences related to the student’s major. See description of Internship Program. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status. Fall and Spring semesters and Summer.

291, 391 Independent Study (Course value to be determined) Fall and Spring semesters and January Interim.

398 Honors Thesis (.25 course) In the fall or Spring semester of the senior year, honors majors write a major thesis involving independent research under the direction of a member of the Classics faculty. The work is preceded by a series of colloquia with faculty members on research methods in classics, ideally through participation in the Classics Capstone Seminar. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

399 Classics Capstone Seminar (1 course) The goals of this seminar are three: to familiarize students with the variety of disciplinary methods used in the field of classics, to prepare students for independent research, and to integrate the academic experiences of Classics majors concentrating in different ancient languages. Each year the seminar will have a specific topic chosen by the instructor. The seminar will culminate in a significant research paper and presentation by each student. Prerequisite: junior status and at least one year of an ancient language. The seminar may be repeated for credit and is open to non-majors with permission of the department chair. WRITD, Spring semester.

Greek (GRE)

101, 102 Beginning Greek I, II (1 course, 1 course) Students master grammar and syntax by reading a series of dialogues, which gradually increase in complexity. The readings which draw faithfully from the works of Plato, Aristophanes, Euripides, and Demosthenes, introducing students to the public and private life of classical Athens. By the end of the second semester, students will be reading substantial selections from original ancient texts. Offered annually.

202 The Greek New Testament (1 course)  A course dedicated to substantial readings in the Greek New Testament and related literature. The course is dedicated to daily readings that reflect the diverse literary styles and theological perspectives of the four New Testament Gospels. Students will develop skills in the interpretation of early manuscript evidence for the New Testament. Other units of the course introduce students to various literary genres in the New Testament, as well as to ancient literary collections that are directly relevant to the larger literary and cultural context of early Judaism and Christianity (Septuagint, Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Philo, Josephus, and inscriptions). The study will culminate in a comparative research project in which students will highlight the narrative craft of the gospel writers as they reshape earlier tradition. Prerequisite: GRE-102 or equivalent. LARS, Fall semester.

301 The Greek Historians (1 course) A close reading and discussion of significant portions of the works of Herodotus and Thucydides together with excerpts from their predecessors and successors. Prerequisite: GRE-202 or equivalent. HIPHI, WRITD, Fall semester, even years.

304 Murder in Ancient Athens: Greek Oratory (1 course) Reading, discussion, and analysis of speeches by the most significant ancient Greek orators, especially Lysias and Demosthenes. Students study the Greek origins of Western oratory, the techniques of rhetorical prose, and the historical and cultural contexts of Athenian public discourse. The course also traces the influence of the Greeks on the history of Western rhetoric as a whole and examines how ancient oratory influenced the greatest modern public speakers. Prerequisite: GRE-202. LARS, WRITD, Spring semester, even years.

244, 344 Special Topics in Greek (1 course, 1 course) Content will vary from semester to semester. Courses will explore a topic or issue in depth and students will read, write and discuss. Offered occasionally.

Latin (LAT)

101, 102 Beginning Latin I, II (1 course, 1 course) Students master grammar and syntax by reading a series of dialogues, which gradually increase in complexity. The readings, which are based on the lives of Romans during the first century CE, introduce the students to the public and private life of Imperial Rome. By the end of the second semester students will be reading substantial selections from ancient texts. Offered annually.

201 Reading Latin Literature (1 course) Readings from Latin literature develop proficiency in reading and understanding Latin. The course focuses on poetry and/or prose of the late Republican period and their cultural and artistic context. The course includes a review of grammar. Prerequisite: LAT-102 or equivalent. LARS, Fall semester.

202 Vergil’s Aeneid (1 course) Students read selections from Vergil’s Aeneid in Latin and the entire epic in English. Emphasis on the characteristics and techniques of poetry and in particular the characteristics and techniques of Latin epic poetry, the place of the Aeneid in Roman history, its influence on writers throughout the centuries, and contemporary criticism and interpretation. Prerequisite: LAT-201 or equivalent. LARS, Spring semester.

301 Roman Historians (1 course) Reading, discussion, and analysis of Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita, or selections from the works of Tacitus. In this course, students will gain not only a better understanding of classical Latin prose style, but also detailed knowledge of Roman political, social, and religious institutions. Prerequisite: LAT-202 or equivalent. HIPHI, WRITD, Fall semester, even years.

302 Horace and the Roman Poets (1 course) Readings from the lyric poetry of Horace, Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius, and a sampling of other Roman poets. Discussion and papers concentrate on poetic technique, style, metrics, and effective communication of emotion and ethos. Study of the cultural background of 1st century Republican Rome. Prerequisite: LAT-202 or equivalent. LARS, WRITD, Spring semester, odd years.

303 Cicero and Sallust: The Fall of the Roman Republic (1 course) Reading, discussion, and analysis of several orations by Cicero, including the speeches against Catiline and Sallust’s historical treatise, Bellum Catilinae. Students study the purposes and techniques of rhetorical prose, interpretations of a rhetorical text, the political problems of the late Roman Republic, and the influence of Cicero on public speaking up to the present. Prerequisite: LAT-202 or equivalent. LARS, WRITD, Fall semester, odd years.

304 Roman Drama (1 course) Reading, discussion, and analysis of selected Latin plays, the comedies of Plautus and Terence, and the tragedies of Seneca. Students will study the plays as adaptations of Greek originals and as native Roman literature. Students will also study the contribution of the Latin plays to Elizabethan and modern theatre. Prerequisite: LAT-202 or equivalent. ARTS, WRITD, Spring semester, even years.

244, 344 Special Topics in Latin (1 course, 1 course) Content will vary from semester to semester. Courses will explore a topic or issue in depth and students will read, write, and discuss. Offered occasionally.

375 Latin Prose Composition (.5 course) Practice in composing Latin sentences and paragraphs which imitate the style and usage of Golden Age Latin. Cicero is the model. Required for the Latin major and the Latin Teaching major. Prerequisite: LAT-201 or equivalent. Offered occasionally.