Classics

DR. BENJAMIN S. HALLER

VWU’s two tracks in the Classics major offer students the opportunity to explore the literature, language, history, and material culture of ancient Greece, Rome, and the broader Mediterranean and Middle Eastern worlds in which these cultures flourished.

The study of Classics has resided at the core of the Liberal Arts for the past two thousand years. The culture, history, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome and pervasive in modern literature, architecture, political theory, and even in the language we speak every day, which derives well over half its vocabulary from Latin roots, and some of its most difficult scientific terms from Greek.

As literatures with a long tradition, Greek and Latin have offered European scientist, statesmen, and writers both a common language for communication and a common repertoire of architectural schemata, stories, generic conventions, symbols, and rhetorical devices which are pervasive in our literature, buildings, and public life to this day; at the same time, however, artists of non-European extraction like Toni Morrison, Ralph Ellison, Derek Walcott, and Martin Luther King, Jr., have also drawn on classical rhetorical theory, history, and mythological archetypes as a near-universally accessibly lingua franca in which to voice opposition to injustice and exclusion.

Through courses in Latin and Greek languages, students attain a more direct experience of the lives of ancient authors like Caesar, Ovid, Catullus, Sappho, and Apuleius in their own living words. Because students in the process also gain an understanding of the roots and usage of English and other modern languages, Latin is also a useful second major medical or law school, and has been show to improve scores on the MCAT and LSAT and to lead to greater success in graduate study in these fields.

The Classics Department offers students the opportunity to explore the Greek and Roman roots of European and American cultures. By taking courses in classical civilization, students understand the richness and diversity of the Greek and Roman cultures, while using the ancient world to gain wider perspectives on many elements of modern life. Through courses in Latin and Greek languages, students attain a more direct experience of the lives of the ancients in their own living words, while gaining valuable understanding of the roots and usage of English and other modern languages.

Two tracks are available within the Classics major. The major track in Classical Civilization offers immersion in the culture, literature, and history of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds through readings in English translation with only a small amount of required coursework in ancient language. Students seeking to acquire expertise in the Latin language in addition to a foundation in ancient history and literature may elect the major track in Latin. Classics has a VDOE endorsement in the Teaching of Latin, permitting successful students who undertake the appropriate coursework to leave VWU certified to teach high school Latin.

The Classical Civilization track, in conjunction with appropriate additional coursework or a second major, is an excellent choice for students interested in graduate study or teaching in fields such as history, art history or art, law, or in careers in museum studies, business, or government.

*See also Latin and Greek.

Major Requirements: Classical Civilization Track

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

Language

One of the following: (You may also choose a higher level course in either of these languages) LATN 111: Beginning Latin I GREK 121: Beginning Ancient Greek

Or any higher level course in either of these languages

Civilization, Culture, & Traditions* Three of the following:

LATN 111: Beginning Latin I LATN 112: Beginning Latin II LATN 213: Intermediate Latin GREK 121: Beginning Ancient Greek I GREK 122: Beginning Ancient Greek II GREK 213: Intermediate Ancient Greek CLAS 105: Classical Mythology CLAS 120: Introduction to Classical Archaeology CLAS 210: Roman History CLAS 263: World Literature I CLAS 264: World Literature II RELST 116: World Religions RELST 217: The Old Testament World RELST 218: The New Testament World RELST 251: Bible and Literature

Synthesis and Specialization‡ Four of the following:

CLAS 310: Topics in Greek History CLAS 330: Topics in Classical Studies CLAS 350: Women in the Ancient World CLAS 356: Classical Studies Abroad CLAS 360: Classical Virginia CLAS 370: The Ancient World in the Cinema LATN 305: Topics in Latin Prose LATN 306: Topics in Latin Poetry PHIL 332: Ancient Greek Philosophy RELST 303: Saints and Heretics: Christian History I RELST 351: Bible and Literature TH 301: Theatre History: Origins to 1660 INST 470: Developments in Science and Technology LATN 471: Practicum in the Teaching of Latin‡ CLAS 430: Classical Epic and the Epic Tradition (Senior Thesis)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: SEMESTER HOURS

4

8

16

4 32

*Other appropriate courses whose primary focus is the ancient world and/or its Nachleben may also be counted toward this category for the Classical Civilization Track of the Classics Major, with the permission of the Classics Coordinator.

‡ Other appropriate 300/400-level courses in related disciplines such as Art History may also be counted toward these 16 hours, subject to the approval of the Classics Department Chair.

Major Requirements: Latin Track

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

Civilization, Culture, Traditions* Three of the following: LATN 111: Beginning Latin I

SEMESTER HOURS

LATN 112: Beginning Latin II LATN 213: Intermediate Latin GREK 121: Beginning Ancient Greek I GREK 122: Beginning Ancient Greek II CLAS 105: Classical Mythology CLAS 120: Introduction to Classical Archaeology CLAS 210: Roman History CLAS 263: World Literature I CLAS 264: World Literature II RELST 116: World Religions RELST 217: The Old Testament World RELST 218: The New Testament World RELST 251: Bible and Literature Language, Translation, Rhetoric, Textual Analysis, and Etymology

Three of the following: LATN 305 Topics in Latin Prose LATN 306 Topics in Latin Poetry (both may be repeated with a different topic; students MUST take at least one iteration of LATN 305 and of LATN 306) Synthesis and Specialization‡ One of the following: CLAS 310: Topics in Greek History CLAS 330: Topics in Classical Studies CLAS 350: Women in the Ancient World CLAS 356: Classical Studies Abroad CLAS 360: Classical Virginia CLAS 370: The Ancient World in the Cinema LATN 305: Topics in Latin Prose LATN 306: Topics in Latin Poetry PHIL 332: Ancient Greek Philosophy RELST 303: Saints and Heretics: Christian History I RELST 351: Bible and Literature TH 301: Theatre History: Origins to 1660 INST 470: Developments in Science and Technology LATN 471: Practicum in the Teaching of Latin‡ CLAS 430: Topics in Classical Studies (Senior Thesis) TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 12

12

4

4 32

*When the student’s program of study dictates, other appropriate courses dealing with the ancient world may be substituted to count toward this category, with the permission of the Classics Coordinator.

‡Other appropriate 300/400-level courses in related areas such as Art History may also be counted toward these four credits, subject to the approval of the Classics Coordinator.

Students interested in graduate school are strongly encouraged to undertake more iterations of LATN 305 and 306, as well as to take GREK 121, 122, and some Greek at the 300 level.

Students pursuing certification in the teaching of Latin must take LATN 471.

Minor Requirements: Classical Civilization

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

Three courses designated as CLAS, LATN, or GREK (for Greek, contact the Classics coordinator) Two other courses designated as CLAS, LATN, or GREK, or other courses about the ancient world from other rubrics, as approved by the Classics coordinator.

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: SEMESTER HOURS

12

8

20*

Minor Requirements: Latin

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

Three courses in Latin (at least two at 300/400 level Two other from either Latin or Greek or courses in art history, religious studies, philosophy as approved by department coordinator. (One course must be at least at the 300/400 level.).

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: SEMESTER HOURS

12

8

20

CLASSICS COURSES (CLAS)

105 Classical Mythology (4)

Explores methods of interpreting myths in their original contexts and affirms the continued relevance of mythology in modern society. Readings include Homer, Hesiod, Sappho, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Plato, Aristotle, Virgil, and Ovid. Offered every fall.

120 Introduction to Classical Archaeology (4)

Introduces students to the methods common to both Old and New World archaeology, followed by an introduction to and interpretation of the material remains of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Mediterranean worlds. Offered on demand.

210 Roman History (4)

Students read and analyze wide-ranging secondary and primary sources from history, literature, and archaeology to explore Roman civilization from its earliest beginnings, through the period of Republican expansion and transition into a vast empire, concluding with the Empire’s ultimate decline and dissolution. Special attention is given to Roman historiography and to the political changes from Republic to Empire.

263 World Literature I (4)

A chronological survey of major literary works from Ancient Near Eastern Epic to the European Middle Ages. Emphasizes the close reading of ancient literature within its immediate cultural context and the analysis of this literature in well-argued papers. Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher. Identical to ENG 263. Offered when circumstances permit.

264 World Literature II (4)

A survey of major works in world literature from the Renaissance to the present day emphasizing texts outside the British and American traditions. Particular attention is given to texts that put themselves in dialogue with Ancient Near Eastern and Classical Greek and Roman literary traditions. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Identical to ENG 264. Offered when circumstances permit.

310 Topics in Greek History (4)

Students work closely with primary evidence, including historical texts and material culture, to examine a topic within the field of ancient Greek history. May be taken multiple times if topic differs.

330 Classical Epic and the Epic Tradition (4) W

A study of epic works from the ancient Mediterranean and other cultures. Potential topics include Roman epic, Ancient epic, J.R.R. Tolkien and the epic tradition, and the oral-traditional epic. May be repeated for credit if topics vary. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent.

350 Women in the Ancient World (4) W

Examines gender roles and sexual identities in ancient Greece and Rome through readings in primary sources supplemented by current scholarship. Explores contrasts between representations of women in Classical literature and the limitations they historically faced and the changes that occurred in women’s status according to place and time. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent.

356 Classical Studies Abroad (4)

Travel to a relevant area within the cultural orbit of ancient Greece and Rome for on-site study of ancient Greco-Roman history and literary and material culture. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent.

360 Classical Virginia (4)

An exploration of how classical narratives of exploration, political thought, literature, and art and architecture helped to shape the culture of the state of Virginia. Offered January Term when circumstances permit. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent.

370 The Ancient World in the Cinema (4)

Studies how ancient Greece and Rome continue to interest and influence us through the modern medium of cinema. Includes readings of selected classical texts and comparisons with modern screen treatments. Attention is given both to modern cinematic adaptations of ancient literary works and to epic “historical” spectacles. Examines directorial creativity, audience expectation, historical accuracy, and modern myth-making. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent.

430 Classical Epic and the Epic Tradition (Senior Seminar)

Students enrolling in CLAS 430 will be responsible for reading and discussing the same material as students in CLAS 330, but will also help the instructor to present the material, and will write a 20+ page senior thesis instead of the shorter final paper required of students in CLAS 330. Students who have taken CLAS 330 may only take 430 for credit if the topic differs. Offered on demand.