Earlham College Curriculum Guide
Earlham College





Classical Studies

Courses

Courses with * fulfill General Education requirements

(A-AP) = Arts - Applied

(A-TH) = Arts - Theoretical/Historical

(A-AR) = Analytical - Abstract Reasoning

(A-QR) = Analytical - Quantitative Reasoning

(CP) = Comparative Practices

(D-D) = Diversity - Domestic

(D-I) = Diversity - International

(D-L) = Diversity - Language

(ES) = Earlham Seminar

(IP) = Interpretive Practices

(SI) = Scientific Inquiry

(W) = Wellness

(AY) = Offered in
Alternative Year

*CLAS 101 ANCIENT GREEK I (5 credits)
Introduction to ancient Greek, with an emphasis on reading original texts by important Greek authors such as Plato, Euripides, Aristophanes, Sappho. Focuses on the grammar, vocabulary and structure of the Greek language, but also provides a general introduction to Greek history and culture. Occasionally offered in an "intensive" format covering 101 and 102 during a single semester. (D-L)

*CLAS 102 ANCIENT GREEK II (5 credits)
A continuation of Greek I. Prerequisite: CLAS 101 or demonstrated equivalent. (D-L)

*CLAS 112 CLASSICAL LATIN I (5 credits)
Introduction to classical Latin, with an emphasis on reading original texts by important Roman authors such as Cicero, Ovid and Virgil. Focuses on the grammar, vocabulary and structure of the Latin language, but also provides a general introduction to Roman history and culture. Occasionally offered in an "intensive" format covering 112 and 113 during a single semester. (D-L)

*CLAS 113 CLASSICAL LATIN II (5 credits)
A continuation of Latin I. Prerequisite: CLAS 112 or demonstrated equivalent. (D-L)

*CLAS 150 EARLHAM SEMINAR (4 credits)
Offered for first-year students. Topics vary. (ES)

CLAS 155 ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY
(4 credits)
An examination of Greek philosophy beginning with the Presocratic period and emphasizing the works of Plato and Aristotle. Reading is mainly in the primary sources. Also listed as PHIL 155.

*CLAS 241 ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN (3 credits)
In antiquity, the Mediterranean Sea united rather than divided cultures. Surveys cultures around the Mediterranean from the ancient mid-eastern kingdoms to the Roman Empire through the 4th century BCE. Particular attention to intellectual and religious life and to civilization contacts with sub-Saharan Africa, transalpine Europe, Arabia and Persia. Readings include primary texts. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 241 and JWST 241. (CP, D-I) (AY)

CLAS 341 READING GREEK (3 credits)
Students who have completed Greek I and II or the equivalent may take this course to continue language learning. Choice of texts depends on a student's level of proficiency and interest. In years past, students have read works of Homer, Pindar, Euripides, Lysias and Plato. Prerequisites: CLAS 101 and 102 or demonstrated equivalent.

CLAS 342 READING LATIN (3 credits)
Students who have completed Latin I and II or the equivalent may take this course to continue language learning. Choice of texts depends on a student's level of proficiency and interest. In past years, students have read works of Catullus, Cicero, Horace, Virgil and Ovid. Prerequisites: CLAS 112 and 113 or demonstrated equivalent.

*CLAS 354 TOPICS IN GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY (3 credits)
A study of myths that the ancient Greeks and Romans told about their gods and heroes. Concerned with (1) myths as myths, that is, traditional tales that can teach us much about the people who liked to hear them, tell them, and see them painted and sculpted; (2) myths in specific ancient literary and artistic settings, where we learn about the thought of individual artists like Aeschylus, Pheidias and Ovid; (3) modern adaptions of classical myths in order to learn how and why these tales continue to help us think through problems connected with family, faith, death, love, sexuality, art, technology and power. (CP)

*CLAS 355 GODS AND HUMANS (3 credits)
A study of some texts from the Greek and Roman traditions that portray gods and humans together in ways that reveal the salient qualities of each. A typical reading list might include Homer's Odyssey, Euripides' Bacchae, Apuleius' Golden Ass, and modern responses by Nietzsche and Soyinka. Knowledge of a classical language is not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (CP)

*CLAS 356 HOMERIC BANQUET (3 credits)
A study of the three epic masterpieces of Greek and Roman antiquity: Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid. Focuses primarily on interpretation of the three texts with videotapes and occasional lectures to supply background materials and context. Knowledge of a classical language is not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (CP)

*CLAS 357 WOMEN IN ANTIQUITY (3 credits)
A study of representations of women and the construction of gender in ancient Greek and Latin texts and art. Readings might include works by Homer, Sappho, Aeschylus, Euripides and Aristotle as well as selections from secondary sources. Students complete a research project, possibly in collaboration with another student. Knowledge of a classical language is not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (CP)

*CLAS 358 GREEK AND ROMAN DRAMA (3 credits)
A study of tragedies and comedies from the Greek and Roman traditions. A typical reading list would include such works as Aeschylus' Oresteia, Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus, Euripides' Medea, Aristophanes' Frogs, Plautus' Menaechmi, and Seneca's Medea and Oedipus. Also studies the staging of drama and considers works of criticism including Aristotle's Poetics. Knowledge of a classical language not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (A-TH, CP)

*CLAS 359 WORDS AND WORKS OF ANCIENT GREECE (3 credits)
Examines works of art, including archaeological evidence, and artful words of poets, dramatists and historians to discover the spirit of various periods in ancient Greece. Explores such "works" as the sculptures at Olympia and Delphi, and the temples on the Acropolis, and the "words" of such important authors as Pindar, Euripides, Thucydides and Plato, paying particular attention to how these cultural achievements reflect changing contemporary historical and intellectual trends. Knowledge of a classical language not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (A-TH, CP)

*CLAS 360 WORDS AND WORKS IN GREECE AND ROME (3 credits)
Examines works of art, including archaeological evidence, and artful words of poets, dramatists and historians to discover the spirit of various periods in ancient Rome. Within a historical and intellectual context, explores such "works" as the Roman forum and the pantheon, and the "words" of such important authors as Catullus, Virgil, Suetonius and Livy. Knowledge of a classical language not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (A-TH, CP)

CLAS 375/475 LANGUAGE COMPONENT (1 credit)
Students who have completed Greek I and II or Latin I and II may do further work in their language by completing a language assignment in a cooperating course. The assignment must be planned in advance with the professor and must involve linguistic or philological analysis of a text. For instance, a student in Homeric Banquet might do an analysis of Virgil's use of "pietas" in the Aeneid, or a student in Ancient Greek Philosophy might write a translation with commentary on a section of Plato's Republic.

CLAS 460 TOPICS IN GREECE AND ROME (3 credits)
Explores specific topics in greater depth. Topic offerings depend upon interest and staff availability. Past topics have included the Peloponnesian War, Greek Art History and Ancient Pompeii. Knowledge of a classical language not required. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, an Earlham Seminar or consent of the instructor. (CP)

CLAS 481 INTERNSHIPS, FIELD STUDIES AND OTHER FIELD EXPERIENCES

CLAS 482 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits)
Selected topics determined by the instructor for upper-level study.

CLAS 483 TEACHING ASSISTANTS (1-3 credits)

CLAS 484 FORD/KNIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT (1-4 credits)
Collaborative research with faculty funded by the Ford/Knight Program.

CLAS 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
Investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by the student in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Culminates in a comprehensive report prepared in the style of a thesis or research paper.

CLAS 488 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

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This page last updated: August 9, 2007