Courses
Professors from the Classics department offer many courses each semester under Classics, Latin, and Greek headings. Advanced graduate students in the department also have the opportunity to teach some beginning and intermediate language courses.
The following classes are being offered during the Fall 2007 semester (course descriptions are taken from the Banner website):
Classics
The Romans
The development of literary culture at Rome, from the beginnings to the end of the Empire, with an emphasis on the major genres, authors, and works of Roman literature. Intended for all students, regardless of year or background, who desire an introduction to the major facts of Roman literary culture. All texts are read in English.
War and Society in the Ancient World
Kurt Raaflaub
In a broad survey of ancient societies (from Egypt and Mesopotamia to late antiquity), but with a strong focus on the Greco-Roman world, this course examines the sociology of war in premodern societies: we investigate how in each case warfare and military organization interacted with social, economic, and political structures and how each society dealt with the challenges, gains, and costs of war. Readings in English.
The Idea of Self
Joseph Pucci
Literature gestures us toward a certain kind of knowledge not quite psychological, not quite philosophical. We read widely in the classical and medieval traditions in order to gauge the peculiar nature of what this knowledge tells us about experience and the ways in which expressions of selfhood abide or are changed over time. Authors include Sappho, Catullus, Horace, Virgil, Lucan, Anselm, Heloise, Hildegard, Carmina Burana, Abelard.
Greek History to the Death of Alexander
Charles Fornara
A detailed examination of the history of the Greeks-political, economic, and social-from Homer's time to the establishment of the Hellenistic monarchies by the successors of Alexander the Great. The ancient sources are closely and critically studied (in translation).
Heroes and Heroism
Pura Nieto Hernandez
Examines the concept of hero, an ancient Greek word, which had a wide variety of meanings and was employed to designate a series of diverse characters of myth. We will trace the evolution of this idea through a detailed analysis of its uses in Greek and Roman texts, and also contrast its ancient sense with present day conceptions of the hero and heroism. All readings will be in English. The course is open to all undergraduates, but preference will be given to juniors and seniors.
Proseminar in Classics
Rene Nünlist
Introduction to standard research methods and tools in major subdisciplines of classical philology and ancient history. Required of entering graduate students. Survey of various subdisciplines in order to become familiar with field and scholarly principles.
Seminar: The Book
John Bodel
This seminar examines the relationship between ancient literary forms and the media in which they were presented. Specifically, it considers the connections between the ways in which ancient books were published and distributed—in papyrus rolls and bound codices, individually and in groups, privately and commercially--and the cultural conventions of reading and literary appreciation in antiquity. Chronologically the seminar focuses on the late Roman Republic and early Empire (ca. 100 BCE -200 CE), but attention is devoted also to new papyrological evidence for the development of poetry books during the Hellenistic period. A reading knowledge of Greek and Latin is required.
Greek
Essentials of Greek Language
A two-semester approach to ancient Greek with special emphasis on developing facility in rapid reading of Greek literature. Selections from Attic Greek authors. No previous knowledge of Greek is required.
Introduction to Greek Literature
Deborah Boedeker
An introduction to Greek literature through intensive reading. Prerequisite: GR 20, GR 11, or the equivalent. We will work on grammar skills while reading extensively in the Histories of Herodotus, who is not only the "father of history" but also a great (and delightful) artist in prose.
Grammar Review and Composition
Half-credit course with attention to student's individual needs.
Nichomachean Ethics
Mary Louise Gill
In this class we will read Books I, II, III, and X of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and discuss his treatment of the highest human good, moral virtue, the doctrine of the mean, and his theory of action.
Sophocles
Rene Nünlist
Close reading of one tragedy by Sophocles. Rapid survey of his other works.
Literature of the 5th century
Adele Scafuro
A survey of main trends and tendencies. Emphasis on literary analysis. Rapid reading of major texts.
Seminar: Hellenistic Poetry
David Konstan
Latin
Essentials of the Latin Language
An intensive two-semester approach to Latin with special emphasis on developing facility in the rapid reading of Latin literature. No previous knowledge of Latin is required.
Introduction to Latin Literature
An introduction to Latin literature through intensive reading of major authors in prose and poetry with careful attention to grammar and style. Prerequisite: LA 10, 20 or 11 (or equivalent).
Grammar Review and Composition
Half-credit course with attention to student's individual needs.
Latin Lyric: Catullus and Horace
Jeri Debrohun
Literature at the Court of Charlemagne
Joseph Pucci
We will read widely in the Latin literature of the eighth and ninth centuries, paying attention to genre, meter, patronage, and the shifting uses put to poetry in the decades in which Charlemagne ruled.
Plautus
Adele Scafuro
We shall read two or three plays of the comic genius of ancient Rome, with focus on Plautus' language and cultural background.
Ammianus Marcellinus
Charles Fornara
In brilliant if idiosyncratic language, Ammianus Marcellinus, last of the major Latin historians, records the exciting and fateful events of his own times, the fourth century A.D., including therein his personal and dramatic involvement in events. We will chiefly read his famous account of the deeds of the emperor Julian ("the Apostate"). The course is intended for advanced students.
Seminar: Senecan Tragedy
Jeri Debrohun
The Department of Classics offers undergraduate courses in Greek and Latin literature, linguistics, history, philosophy, and culture. Qualified undergraduate students can take graduate courses.
Nota Bene: "Classics" courses (with the exception of some graduate course) are taught using translations into English. "Greek," "Latin," "Modern Greek," and "Sanskrit" courses are taught in the original language.
View undergraduate courses for the current academic year (if drop boxes below do not work, check BOCA (Brown Online Course Announcement and Web Syllabi) :