Catalog 2008-2009

CLASSICS AREA

Division of Humanities

Professor Halford W. Haskell, PhD, Chair

Contributing Faculty:

Professor Thomas Noble Howe, PhD (Art and Art History)
Associate Professor Glenda Warren Carl, PhD (Latin)
Associate Professor Philip E. Hopkins, PhD (Philosophy)
Associate Professor Kimberly Smith, PhD (Art History)
Assistant Professor Pam Haskell, PhD (part-time)

Classics is a broad field covering Greco-Roman antiquity from the very earliest periods (prehistory) to the dissolution of the Roman Empire. This interdisciplinary field embraces and combines the disciplines of literature and language, anthropology, archaeology, art history, religion, philosophy and history. Through the study of primary material (Latin and Greek texts, in the original or in translation; archaeological and art historical artifacts), students gain an appreciation for ancient societies that continues to illuminate our own. Students must not only master basic factual material, but also learn how to synthesize sometimes disparate material.

The rigor involved in the study of Classics prepares one for a variety of careers, and is recognized by various professional schools and business schools as providing a highly desirable and distinctive intellectual foundation for graduate work in any field.

High school enrollment figures reflect a renewed interest in the study of Classics, and there is a great demand for high school Latin teachers. Other careers for Classics majors include university teaching and museum work.

Southwestern University offers majors in Classics, Latin, and in Greek and minor programs in Latin and in Greek.

Majors are strongly advised to take advantage of opportunities to study or excavate abroad. Students may pursue semester or academic year study at College Year in Athens or at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. Summer study possibilities include SU travel/ study programs in Greece.

Through Sunoikisis, an innovative inter-institutional Classics program, Southwestern students have access to a broad range of subject material and faculty that goes beyond the capacity of a single institution. Creative exploitation of technology enables student and faculty scholars together to conceive of learning and data – text, iconography, epigraphy, pottery, etc. – in a far richer way, yielding new collaborative and interdisciplinary paradigms essential for liberal arts learning in the 21st century.

The Capstone experience consists of a semester-long research project which encompasses a wide range of topics within the area of Classical studies. The project culminates with an oral presentation to an interdepartmental committee chosen by the student and faculty project adviser.

All entering students who have taken Latin in high school are to take a placement exam. The results of the exam will be used to help establish placement. Please note that credit hours are not granted for placement.

Because the study of language grammar is sequential, students are required to take the basic grammar courses in their proper order, which is 014, 024, 113, and 123, and to earn a grade of C- or better in each course of the sequence, prior to enrolling in the next course in the sequence. These courses may not be taken concurrently.

Students who major or minor in Latin and who have placed into the fourth semester or have placed out of the foreign language requirement may take a departmental exam for credit. They may earn up to six semester hours of lower-level credit which is equivalent to credit for 113 or the 113-123 sequence. Credit will be awarded upon completion of all other major or minor requirements. Under no circumstances may an individual earn credit for more than two courses in a language by AP or placement examinations.

The Classics committee is comprised of contributing faculty. The professor of classics serves as Chair.

Major in Classics: 39 semester hours (minimum), including four courses of earned college level Latin and four courses of earned college level Greek (3 or 4 credit hour courses may be used to satisfy this requirement), including six hours of Latin or Greek above the introductory level; six hours of Classics in Translation; six additional hours above introductory level in Latin and/or Greek, or in Classics in Translation; Classics 07-953 (Capstone). At least 24 hours in the major must be above the introductory level.

Major in Latin: 30 semester hours of Latin including Latin 14-953 (Capstone); 27 additional hours of Latin, 15 hours of which must be above the introductory level.

Major in Greek: 30 semester hours of Greek including Greek 13-953 (Capstone); 27 additional hours of Greek, 15 hours of which must be above the introductory level.

Minor in Latin: 18 semester hours of Latin, 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level.

Minor in Greek: 18 semester hours of Greek, 12 hours of which must be above the introductory level.

See the Education Department for information regarding teacher certification in Latin.

Greek (GRK)

13-014, 024GREEK I & II. A two-semester course. Essentials of grammar, composition and reading.
13-113, 123GREEK III & IV. A two-semester course of selections from classical and New Testament Greek. Prerequisites: Greek 13-014 and 024.
13-603TOPICS IN GREEK LITERATURE I. Topics offered on a five-year cycle: Homeric Poetry; Greek Lyric Poetry; Comedy; Literature of the 4th Century; Hellenistic Literature. Students participate in weekly webcast lecture offered through Sunoikisis, an on-line discussion moderated by faculty members from participating institutions, and weekly tutorials with faculty members at Southwestern. This course is specifically designed for advanced students and includes rigorous study of cultural and historical contexts as well as the issues of composition and transmission. Students will also become familiar with current interpretive approaches to the material. May be repeated with change in topic. Prerequisite: Greek 13-123 or equivalent. (H)
13-703TOPICS IN GREEK LITERATURE II. Topics offered on a five-year cycle: Homeric Poetry; Greek Lyric Poetry; Comedy; Literature of the 4th Century; Hellenistic Literature. Students participate in weekly webcast lecture offered through Sunoikisis, an on-line discussion moderated by faculty members from participating institutions, and weekly tutorials with faculty members at Southwestern. This course is specifically designed for advanced students and includes rigorous study of cultural and historical contexts as well as the issues of composition and transmission. Students will also become familiar with current interpretive approaches to the material. May be repeated with change in topic. Prerequisite: six hours of Greek above the introductory level. (H)
13-001, 002, 003, 004SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
13-301, 302, 303, 304SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
13-443INTERMEDIATE TUTORIAL.
13-901, 902, 903, 904TUTORIAL.
13-941, 942, 943, 944ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
13-951, 952, 953, 954INDEPENDENT STUDY. May be repeated with change of content.

Latin (LAT)

14-014, 024LATIN I & II. A two-semester course. Essentials of grammar, composition and reading.
14-113, 123LATIN III & IV. A two-semester course. Readings in Petronius in the fall semester, Vergil in the spring. Prerequisite: Latin 14-024 or the equivalent.
14-403LIVY. Elements of grammar and style in an historical context. (H)
14-423TACITUS. Elements of grammar and style in an historical context. (H)
14-503HORACE. Elements of grammar and style in an historical context. (H)
14-603TOPICS IN LATIN LITERATURE I. Topics offered on a five-year cycle: Early Republic; Late Republic; Neronian Period; Roman Empire 70-180 CE; Late Antiquity and Medieval. Students participate in weekly webcast lecture offered through Sunoikisis, an on-line discussion moderated by faculty members from participating institutions, and weekly tutorials with faculty members at Southwestern. This course is specifically designed for advanced students and includes rigorous study of cultural and historical contexts as well as the issues of composition and transmission. Students will also become familiar with current interpretive approaches to the material. May be repeated with change in topic. Prerequisite: Latin 14-123 or equivalent. (H)
14-703TOPICS IN LATIN LITERATURE II. Topics offered on a five-year cycle: Early Republic; Late Republic; Neronian Period; Roman Empire 70-180 CE; Late Antiquity and Medieval. Students participate in weekly webcast lecture offered through Sunoikisis, an on-line discussion moderated by faculty members from participating institutions, and weekly tutorials with faculty members at Southwestern. This course is specifically designed for advanced students and includes rigorous study of cultural and historical contexts as well as the issues of composition and transmission. Students will also become familiar with current interpretive approaches to the material. May be repeated with change in topic. Prerequisite: six hours of Latin above the introductory level. (H)
14-001, 002, 003, 004SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
14-301, 302, 303, 304SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
14-443INTERMEDIATE TUTORIAL.
14-901, 902, 903, 904TUTORIAL.
14-941, 952, 953, 954ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
14-951, 952, 953, 954INDEPENDENT STUDY. May be repeated with changed content.
14-983HONORS IN LATIN. By invitation only.

Classics (CLA)

07-203GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY. A study of the myths and religion of Graeco-Roman tradition, with attention to the heritage of classical mythology in later literature and art. Extensive readings of ancient works in translation. Also English 10-203 and Religion 19-403. (H) (R) (IP)
07-313GREEK CIVILIZATION. A study of the rise and development of Greek civilization, with special emphasis on the cultural contributions to later civilization. May be repeated with change of content. Also History 16-313. (H) (IP)
07-323ROMAN CIVILIZATION. A study of the rise and development of Roman civilization, with special emphasis on cultural contributions to later civilization. May be repeated with change of content. Also History 16-323. (H) (IP)
07-333HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY: ANCIENT. See Philosophy 18-413. (H)
07-353HELLENISTIC ART. See Art History 71-443. (FAL)
07-363WORLD ARCHITECTURE I: A COMPARATIVE CULTURAL HISTORY. See Art History 71-703. (Fall, odd-numbered years) (FAL)
07-403PERFORMING SANCTITY: HOLY LIVING AND HOLY WRITING IN LATE ANTIQUITY AND THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD. A study of saints’ lives from the late ancient world and the Latin Middle Ages, revealing the religious life of the periods that produced them as well as information about basic social and cultural history. Involves close reading and discussion of primary texts in translation from the original Latin. (H)
07-413MEDIEVAL BEAST FABLES. A study of the use of the animal kingdom to satirize human courtly society in the Middle Ages, with attention to some of the social and personal needs fulfilled by telling or listening to these fables. Involves close reading and discussion of primary texts in translation from the original Latin. (H)
07-423FABULOUS EXEMPLUM: MEDIEVAL LEGENDS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. A study of Alexander’s complicated legacy, as both a rhetorical example of what (not) to do, and as the protagonist of a series of fantastic adventures that please and instruct. Involves close reading and discussion of primary texts in translation from the original Latin. (H)
07-433MEDIEVAL LEGENDS OF TROY. A study of the use of classical narratives to legitimize political power and literary production in the Middle Ages, with attention to the multiple significances of translation. Involves close reading and discussion of primary texts in translation from the original Latin. (H)
07-001, 002, 003, 004SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in content.
07-301, 302, 303, 304SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in content.
07-901, 902, 903, 904TUTORIAL.
07-941, 942, 943, 944ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
07-951, 952, 953, 954INDEPENDENT STUDY. May be repeated with change in content.
07-963SEMINAR IN CLASSICS. An interdisciplinary study of various aspects of Greek and Roman antiquity. May be repeated with change of content.
07-983HONORS IN CLASSICS. By invitation only.