Classical Studies

S = Objectives

The Department of Classical Studies offers courses in the languages, literatures, history, and archaeology of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, two cultures that are the intellectual, social, political, legal, scientific, and artistic origin of Western civilization. Along with the Hebrew Bible, the scholarly study of these cultures, which goes back to the death of Alexander the Great, is the original subject of university study. Their brilliance and beauty has not ceased to beguile and inform students for more than 2,000 years.

A concentration in classical studies offers the opportunity to learn about all aspects of life in Greece and Rome. Aside from its aesthetic, spiritual, moral, and intellectual value, that study can have practical use as well: for example, the study of Latin is a proven key to communication skills in English and in the romance languages; moreover, Latin and Greek have long been and continue to be sources of technical concepts and vocabulary in all fields of study, from cybernetics to political economy by way of astronomy and zoology.

Concentration in classical studies also enhances preparation for a wide number of professional fields, including law and medicine, as well as for the graduate study of literature, history, fine arts, archaeology, anthropology, philosophy, religion, and classics itself. The requirements for concentration are designed to be flexible, so that individual students can focus their program around a particular interest like art and archaeology, history, or literature.

S = How to Become a Concentrator

Students who have had some background in Greek and Latin are encouraged to resume studying those languages as soon as possible after entering Brandeis, as those skills are more difficult to retrieve after a passage of time. Students who have had no background in these languages should try to begin one of them as soon as possible after entering Brandeis. (Note that these courses usually begin only in the fall semester.) Often students find it effective to take Latin or Greek to satisfy their language requirements and in the process can determine whether their interest in the classics is one they wish to pursue further.

S = Faculty

Leonard Muellner, Chair

Greek and Latin, language and literature.

Patricia Johnston

Latin and Greek, language and literature.

Ann Koloski-Ostrow

Roman and Greek art and archaeology.

Amélie Oksenberg Rorty

Greek and Roman philosophy.

Cheryl Walker, Undergraduate Advising Head

Roman and Greek history.

S = Requirements for Concentration

Students wishing to concentrate in classical studies may choose one of four options: classics, Greek, Latin, or classical archaeology and ancient history. A concentration in classics includes the Greek and Latin languages and literatures, whereas a concentration in Greek language and literature or in Latin language and literature includes only one language. A concentration in classical archaeology and ancient history places less emphasis upon language and more upon courses in ancient history, ancient art, and archaeology. A student interested in an independent concentration in classical and English literature or old world archaeology may petition for such through the Office of Academic Affairs. Various archaeological excavation programs (with departmental approval) may be substituted for some required courses.

Concentration in Classics

A. Eight semester courses in Greek and Latin numbered 30 or higher, with at least two in each language.

B. One semester in Greek, Latin, or allied fields as approved by the student's advisor.

C. Two ancient history courses, one in Greek history and one in Roman history.

D. Additional requirement for students seeking honors: GRK or LAT 99d.

E. Certification for teaching Latin in Massachusetts high schools can be obtained concurrently with the Brandeis bachelor's degree. For details see item E. under Concentration in Latin Language and Literature.

Concentration in Greek Language and Literature

A. Four semester courses in Greek numbered 30 or higher.

B. One semester course in Greek history.

C. A combination of five semester courses selected from courses taught in or crosslisted by the Department of Classical Studies, where such courses have a significant classical component, as approved by the student's departmental advisor.

D. Additional requirements for students seeking honors: GRK 99d.

Concentration in Latin Language and Literature

A. Four semester courses in Latin numbered 30 or higher.

B. One semester course in Roman history.

C. A combination of five semester courses selected from among courses taught in or crosslisted by the Department of Classical Studies, or from courses offered in other departments having a significant classical component, as approved by the student's departmental advisor.

D. Additional requirement for students seeking honors: LAT 99d.

E. A concentrator in either Classics or Latin Language and Literature may obtain the Massachusetts certificate for Teacher of Latin and Classical Humanities at the high school level by additionally completing requirements of the Education Program (q.v.). Interested students should meet with the program director as soon as possible for important further information.

Concentration in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

A. Seven semester courses in ancient history, classical archaeology, and classical literature or ancient art, including at least one survey in the history of Greece, one survey in the history of Rome, one topics course in ancient history or classical archaeology, and one introductory course in archaeology.

B. One semester course in Greek or Latin numbered 30 or higher.

C. Additional requirement for students seeking honors: CLAS 99d.

Independent Concentration

A student interested in an independent concentration in classical and English literature may petition for such through the Office of Academic Affairs. Normally, an independent concentration in classical and English literature requires a minimum of five courses in English, five in Greek and/or Latin at level 30 or higher, and a senior essay.

Minor in Classical Studies

A total of five courses is required, which may be any combination of ancient language courses at level 30 or higher and any CLAS or cross-listed course. Three of the five courses in the minor must be taught by members of the Department of Classical Studies.

NOTE: All classical studies courses (CLAS) are taught in English, and assigned reading materials are in English.

S = Courses of Instruction

CLAS 98a Directed Reading

Signature of the instructor required.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

CLAS 98b Directed Reading

Signature of the instructor required.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

CLAS 99d Senior Research

Signature of the instructor required.

Concentrators will be guided by their major professor in writing their honors paper. Usually offered every year.

Staff

CLAS 100a Survey of Greek History: Bronze Age to 323 B.C.E.

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The political and social development of the Greek city-states from Bronze Age origins to the death of Alexander. Usually offered in odd years.

Ms. Walker

CLAS 115b Topics in Greek and Roman History

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Topics vary from year to year; see Course Schedule for current topic. Usually offered every year.

Ms. Walker

CLAS 133b The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece

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Enrollment limited to 35.

Surveys the main forms and styles of Greek art and architecture from the Bronze Age through the Hellenistic period in mainland Greece and on the islands of the Aegean. Archaeological remains and ancient literary evidence help explore the relationships between culture, the visual arts, and society. Usually offered in odd years.

Ms. Koloski-Ostrow

CLAS 134b The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome

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Enrollment limited to 35.

Surveys the art and architecture of the ancient Romans from the 8th century B.C.E. to the end of the empire in Sicily, mainland Italy (with focus on Rome, Ostia, Pompeii, and Herculaneum), and in the Roman provinces. Usually offered in even years.

Ms. Koloski-Ostrow

CLAS 145b Topics in Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology

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Enrollment limited to 35.

Topics include: Pompeii; life and art in the Roman provinces; and Jews and Judaism in the Graeco-Roman world. See Course Schedule for current topic and description. Usually offered every year.

Ms. Koloski-Ostrow

CLAS 170a Classical Mythology

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An introduction to Greek and Roman mythology. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the fall of 1994.

Ms. Johnston

CLAS 171a Greek Epic and Athenian Drama

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Surveys Greek epic poetry and the tragic and comic drama produced in the city-state Athena (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes). The intention is to convey the place of these works in the social, political, religious, and intellectual life of ancient Greece as well as their enduring universality. Usually offered every fourth year. Last offered in the fall of 1996.

Mr. Muellner

L =

Greek and Latin Courses

All Greek and Latin courses numbered 40 or higher require reading knowledge of the respective language.

GRK 10a Beginning Ancient Greek

The basics of Ancient Greek language and an initiation into the artistic, religious, social, political, and psychological dynamics of Ancient Greece. After taking its sequel, GRK 20b, students can read Homer or Plato in the original. Usually offered every year.

Mr. Muellner

GRK 20b Continuing Ancient Greek

Prerequisite: GRK 10a.

Fundamentals of Greek grammar through reading. Usually offered every year.

Mr. Muellner

GRK 30a Intermediate Ancient Greek: Literature

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Prerequisite: GRK 20b or equivalent (consult instructor).

Readings from Plato's Apology and Herodotus's Histories in Greek. Usually offered every year.

Mr. Muellner

GRK 98a Directed Reading

Signature of the instructor required.

Generally reserved for those students who have exhausted regular course offerings. Usually offered every year.

Staff

GRK 98b Directed Reading

Signature of the instructor required.

Generally reserved for those students who have exhausted regular course offerings. Usually offered every year.

Staff

GRK 99d Senior Research

Signature of the instructor required.

For seniors writing an honors thesis under direction. Usually offered every year.

Staff

GRK 110b Greek Epic

(Formerly GRK 14b)

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Prerequisite: GRK 20b or equivalent (consult instructor). Students who have taken GRK 14b may not take GRK 110b for credit.

Selections from Homer's Iliad or Odyssey, in Greek. Usually offered in even years.

Mr. Muellner

GRK 115b Ancient Greek Drama

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The plays of Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Euripides, and Sophocles in Greek. A different playwright is studied each year. See Course Schedule for current topic. Usually offered every year. Last offered in the spring of 1996.

Mr. Muellner

GRK 120b Greek Prose Authors

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Selections from Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, and other prose authors, in Greek. See Course Schedule for current topic. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the spring of 1993.

Mr. Muellner

LAT 10a Beginning Latin

An introduction to Latin grammar, based on Latin authors. Usually offered every year.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 20b Continuing Latin

Prerequisite: LAT 10a or permission of the instructor.

See LAT 10a for course description. Usually offered every year.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 30a Intermediate Latin: Literature

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Prerequisite: LAT 20b or permission of the instructor. This course satisfies the foreign language requirement.

Selections of Latin prose and verse from various periods. Usually offered every year.

Ms. Koloski-Ostrow

LAT 98a Directed Reading

Signature of the instructor required.

Generally reserved for those students who have exhausted regular course offerings. Usually offered every year.

Staff

LAT 98b Directed Reading

Signature of the instructor required.

Generally reserved for those students who have exhausted regular course offerings. Usually offered every year.

Staff

LAT 99d Senior Research

Signature of the instructor required.

For seniors writing an honors thesis under direction. Usually offered every year.

Staff

LAT 110b Advanced Latin Composition

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Poetry and prose composition. Offered on request. Last offered in the spring of 1990.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 114b Latin Prose Authors

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A close study of Cicero's writings. Usually offered every fourth year. Last offered in the spring of 1993.

Staff

LAT 115a Roman Drama

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Selected plays of Plautus and Terence, in Latin. Usually offered every fourth year. Last offered in the spring of 1995.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 116b Roman Satire

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The satires of Horace and Juvenal, in Latin. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the spring of 1994.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 117a Lucretius, De Rerum Natura

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Close reading (in Latin) and discussion of poetic and philosophical dimensions of the poem. Usually offered every fourth year.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 118a Latin Lyric and Elegiac Poetry

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Selections from Catullus, Horace, Propertius, Tibullus, and Ovid in Latin. Usually offered in even years.

Staff

LAT 118b Roman Historians

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Selections from the histories of Julius Caesar, Sallust, Livy, and Tacitus, in Latin. Usually offered every fourth year. Last offered in the spring of 1991.

Staff

LAT 119b Ovid: Metamorphoses

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Selections from Ovid's mythological-poetic history of the universe, in Latin. Usually offered every fourth year. Last offered in the fall of 1996.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 120a Vergil

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Selections from Vergil's Eclogues, Georgics, and Æneid in Latin. Usually offered in odd years.

Ms. Johnston

LAT 125a Medieval Latin

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Prerequisite: LAT 20 or equivalent demonstration of an ability to read Latin. Enrollment is limited to 20.

Surveys Medieval Latin prose and poetry, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, and their influence on subsequent English, French, and Italian literature. Materials will be studied in the original Latin and English. Usually offered every fourth year.

Ms. Johnston

SANS 10a Introduction to Classical Sanskrit I

An introduction to the forms and grammatical structures of the Sanskrit language. Students will learn Devanagari, the Sanskrit writing system. Offered on request.

Mr. Keiler

SANS 20b Introduction to Classical Sanskrit II

Prerequisite: SANS 10a or equivalent.

Continuation of the study of the forms and grammatical structures of the Sanskrit language. Simple yet representative texts, e.g., from the Sanskrit epics, will be read. Offered on request.

Mr. Keiler

S = Cross-Listed Courses

HIST 103a

Roman History to 455 C.E.

HOID 108b

Greek and Roman Ethics: From Plato to the Stoics

NEJS 192b

Ancient Greek-Speaking Judaism and Christianity

S = Courses of Related Interest

ANTH 1a

Introduction to the Comparative Study of Human Societies

ANTH 60a

Introduction to Archaeological Methods

ANTH 187a

Materials Research in Archaeology, I

ANTH 188b

Materials Research in Archaeology, II

ARBC 10a

Beginning Literary Arabic

ARBC 20b

Continuing Literary Arabic

ARBC 30a

Intermediate Literary Arabic

ARBC 40b

Advanced Intermediate Literary Arabic

NEJS 103a and b

Advanced Literary Arabic

NEJS 108a

Elementary Akkadian

NEJS 109b

Intermediate Akkadian

PRSN 10a

Beginning Persian