Course Descriptions
Fall 2001
Classics
CLASSICS 0029 THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF PALESTINE IN THE CLASSICAL
PERIODS
(Cross-Listed as ARCH 0029/FAH 0018/JS 0077)
This course surveys the archaeology of Palestine (modern-day Israel and Jordan) from the Persian period
(ca. 586 B.C.) to the Muslim conquest (640 A.D.). The slide-illustrated lectures will introduce students to
the relevant historical background, the major archaeological sites, and the material culture (pottery, coins,
etc.). The topics that will be covered include the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jerusalem in the time of Jesus, and the
development of ancient synagogues and churches. Course grade will be based on two mid-term
examinations, a final examination, and a short term paper. No prerequisites. This course also fulfills the
World Civilization requirement.
MAGNESS 63+ (M 1:05-2:20/W 11:30-12:45)
CLASSICS 0031 CLASSICS OF GREECE
A study of major Greek literary works in translation. Athens under Pericles, in the fifth century B.C.,
became the intellectual and artistic center of the whole Greek world, with achievements admired by all
subsequent ages. What was Athens’ inspiration? This course uses the literature of ancient Greece (read in
English translation) to explore aspects of Athenian life; the development of democracy, the flowering of
poetic drama, the early growth of moral philosophy, and ideals of education and fitness. Readings normally
include Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey; plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes; selections
from Herodotus and Thucydides; and dialogues of Plato. No previous classics knowledge is assumed.
Satisfies the Humanities Distribution requirement and the Classics Culture area.
REID B3 (T/TH 1:05-2:20)
CLASSICS 0032 CLASSICS OF ROME
An introduction to Roman civilization and culture as seen through its literature (read in English translation).
Particular attention will be paid to Rome of the Late Republic and the Age of the Emperor Augustus, in
order to understand the profound political, intellectual and artistic developments of that era. Reading
normally include some of Cicero’s speeches and essays, Virgil’s Aeneid, parts of Ovid’s Metamorphoses
and Art of Love, Catullus’ poems, the Satires of Juvenal and other Latin authors. No previous knowledge of
Classics is assumed. Satisfies Humanities Distribution requirement, Classics Culture area and Italian
Peninsula Culture area.
MERZLAK 37 (M 9:30-10:20, T/TH 10:30-11:20)
I
CLASSICS 0038 HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME
(Cross-Listed as HST 0017)
From the archaic city of Romulus to the Mediterranean empire of Augustus and his successors, this course
surveys the history of Rome and the Roman people. Consideration of the prominent individuals (infamous
and well as famous) and significant events of Rome’s history will lead to an appreciation of the structures
and institutions—political, social, religious—which characterized Roman civilization and which served as the
basis of a remarkably successful empire. Additionally, close reading of primary literary and documentary
evidence will provide an introduction to the ancient historian’s craft. Satisfies Humanities or Social
Sciences Distribution requirement.
CARLON 27 (T/W/F 9:30-10:20)
CLASSICS 0045 WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT I
(Cross-listed as PS 0045)
This course examines the ideas of Thucydides, Aristophanes, Plato, Aristotle, and Lucretius on nature, war,
justice, philosophy, are science, democracy and constitutionalism. It analyzes how the ancients’ thinking has
helped structure all future Western political debate on these questions. The course also studies how
political philosophy changed in the course of the rise and fall of the Athenian and Roman empires,
including the development of Christian political doctrine. The course closes with an analysis of Machiavelli
and the new political outlook of those who challenge the hegemony of Christianity.
RABIEH D3 (T/TH 2:30-3:45)
CLASSICS 0056 GREEK AND ROMAN COMEDY
(Cross listed as DRAMA 0055)
Ancient Comedy ranges from the rowdy, bawdy, political satires of Greek Old Comedy to the boy-meets-girl
stories of Greek and Roman New Comedy. We will read selected plays by Aristophanes, Menander,
Plautus and Terence, and will consider how the genre of comedy changes over a 300 year period. All
readings are in English, but students who have completed Greek 2 or Latin 2 or equivalent are encouraged
to read selected texts in the original language.
MAHONEY 47 (M/W/F 10:30- 11:30)
CLASSICS 0091-GR GREEKS AND BARBARIANS: THE GREEK DISCOVERY OF
THE WORLD
May also be taken at 100 level
(Cross-Listed as CLS 0185-GR/HIST 0191)
“Among Greeks and Barbarians” was one way of referring to the entire world, comprising, from the Greek
point of view, those who speak and act “like us” and those who don’t. Due to both the circumstances of
geography and the need for resources, the ancient Greeks were compelled to interact with other peoples.
These cross-cultural encounters were both unsettling and stimulating, leading to the Greeks’ discovery of
themselves—the formulation of a Greek “cultural identity”—and to expanding knowledge of the wider world.
In this course we will trace the Greeks’ contacts and conflicts with other peoples of the ancient world.
While the cast of characters will include Cretans, Trojans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Romans, it will
center on the seminal, two-century-long, encounter of the Greek city-states with the mighty Persian Empire.
We will read the accounts of Greek poets, historians, explorers, and playwrights, examine documents from
the Persian Empire, and view images of ancient artifacts and sites such as Athens, Persepolis, and
Alexandria. Students who take the course at the 100-level will be required to complete a research project.
HIRSCH A3+ (T/TH 3:50-5:05)
II
CLASSICS 0135 WOMEN IN ANTIQUITY
(Listed with Women’s Studies)
The study of women in antiquity will focus on women in literature and their representation-in terms of roles
and relationships-as a response to the structural development of the society in which a given piece of
literature was produced. As part of this study we will look at the artistic expression which surrounds and
qualifies female characters and situations. The expectation is that there is an observable correlation between
the reality of women’s status (insofar as we know it), the artistic rendering of women and the extensions of
their lives, and the security of identity for each of the historical periods in which women are being
examined. Oral reports; term examination; term paper.
HALPERN 55+ (T/F 11:30-12:45)
CLASSICS 0146 HISTORY OF ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN MEDICINE
Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing
The historical development of ancient Greek and Roman medicine with emphasis on methodology and
sources, as well as the assessment of the influence of ancient medicine on the development of modern
clinical medicine. Topics covered include ancient practices with regard to anatomy, physiology, surgery,
pharmacology, etiology of disease, and medical deontology. Satisfies the Classics Culture area and the
Humanities Distribution requirements.
PHILLIPS 65+ (M/TH 1:05-2:20)
CLASSICS 0151 ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
(Cross-listed as PHIL 0151)
Prerequisite: Philosophy 1 or consent.
History of Western philosophy from its Greek beginnings in the sixth century B.C. with major emphasis on
the works of Plato and Aristotle.
KOSLICKI B3 (T/TH 1:05-2:20)
CLASSICS 0185-GR GREEKS AND BARBARIANS: THE GREEK DISCOVERY OF
THE WORLD
May be taken at lower level
(Cross-Listed as CLS 0091-GR/HIST 0191)
“Among Greeks and Barbarians” was one way of referring to the entire world, comprising, from the Greek
point of view, those who speak and act “like us” and those who don’t. Due to both the circumstances of
geography and the need for resources, the ancient Greeks were compelled to interact with other peoples.
These cross-cultural encounters were both unsettling and stimulating, leading to the Greeks’ discovery of
themselves—the formulation of a Greek “cultural identity”—and to expanding knowledge of the wider world.
In this course we will trace the Greeks’ contacts and conflicts with other peoples of the ancient world.
While the cast of characters will include Cretans, Trojans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Romans, it will
center on the seminal, two-century-long, encounter of the Greek city-states with the mighty Persian Empire.
We will read the accounts of Greek poets, historians, explorers, and playwrights, examine documents from
the Persian Empire, and view images of ancient artifacts and sites such as Athens, Persepolis, and
Alexandria. Students who take the course at the 100-level will be required to complete a research project.
HIRSCH A3+ (T/TH 3:50-5:05)
III
CLASSICS 0187 ANCIENT SYNAGOGUES
Prerequisites: CLS 0027/FAH 0019/ARCH 0027 or CLS 0029/FAH
0018/JS 0077/ARCH 0029 or consent.
(Cross-Listed as FAH 0193/JS 0091/ARCH 0187)
This is structured as an upper-level undergraduate seminar, also appropriate for graduate students. It
focuses on the ancient synagogues in Palestine and the Diaspora, from the Second Temple period to the
seventh century A.D. Each class will focus on specific problems such as the validity of the architectural
typologies, the iconography of decorative art, and the origins of the institution of the synagogue. Students
will be assigned selected readings in preparation for the discussions of the weekly topic, and will be required
to present oral reports in class and write a research paper.
MAGNESS W3 (W 6:30-9:00)
CLASSICS 191-PD THE GIZA PYRAMIDS: ARCHAEOLOGY, HISTORY, AND
TECHNOLOGY
Prerequisites: CLS 0027/FAH 0019/ARCH 0027 or CLS 0029/FAH
0018/ JS 0077/ARCH 0029 or CLS 0092-PD/ARCH 0052-PD/HIST
0062-PD or consent.
(Cross listed as ARCH 191-PD/ HIST 195- PD)
The pyramids and "mastaba" tombs at Giza (ca. 2500 BC), probably the most famous archaeological site in
the world, still pose major questions about the development of ancient Egyptian history, monumental
architecture, chronology, art, religion and language. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, excavated the site
between 1905 and 1942, and is currently involved in the Giza Archives Project, which aims to convert its
massive archival expedition records into an integrated research tool for the Internet. This seminar course
will examine aspects of the site in its historical and archaeological context with illustrated lectures and visits
to the MFA galleries. Part of the course will also focus on the modern technological challenges and
opportunities facing archaeologists today in processing excavation records. Students will prepare seminar
presentations on various Giza topics, and will also submit a final paper. Active participation in the Giza
Archives Project is also a possibility.
DER MANUELIAN W4 (TH 6:30-9:00)
(Occasional Wed night substitutions for trips to the MFA)
IV
Greek
GREEK 0001 ELEMENTARY GREEK
Step into he dazzling light of the ancient Mediterranean world though a study of the ancient Greek
language. From the first day, learn the alphabet and begin to translate authentic phrases and short sentences
from 2,500 years ago. As we progress though basic grammar and Greek vocabulary, you will encounter
subjects as diverse as human identity and the power of hydraulics and authors as varied as Homer, Plato,
Sappho, and Hippocrates. On a practical level, expand your English vocabulary with Greek-derived words.
Whether your interests are technological, medical, scientific, or humanistic, Greek is a rich source of
terminology (for example, terms like pneumothorax, hypertrophy, microeconomics, psychoanalytical,
apotheosis, epiphany, entropy, ecphrasis). This course will also include visual material form slides and web
resources (especially the Perseus Project), a Greek-style symposium at the instructor’s home, and a museum
visit.
SETNIK 47 (M/W/F 10:30 – 11:20)
GREEK 0007 GREEK CLASSICS
Prerequisite: GRK 002 or placement
A review of grammar in accord with student needs will be followed by selected readings from Plato. Brief
selections from a variety of authors of both poetry and prose will be used to reaffirm the students’
knowledge of Greek grammar and syntax.
REID 85+ (M/TH 1:05-2:20)
GREEK 0104 PLATO’S PHAEDRUS
A close reading of this crucial dialogue that explores both its immediate cultural context and its subsequent
influence.
CRANE 83+ (M/W 2:30-3:45)
V
Latin
LATIN 0001 ELEMENTARY LATIN
A disciplined course for beginners, and for those who want to refresh a former acquaintance with the
language. Emphasis is on training students to read Latin. Benefits of the study of Latin may include
increased vocabulary and some cultural enrichment. Frequent quizzes; mid-term examination; final
examination.
HALPERN 75+ (T/F 1:05-2:20)
LATIN 0003 INTERMEDIATE LATIN
Prerequisite: LAT 0002 or consent/placement
This course offers a systematic review of Latin grammar and an initial experience of reading Latin literature
at the college level. It is designed for both those who have taken Latin in secondary school and those who
began the language in college. We will read excerpts from Petronius' comic novel, The Satyricon, a rich
source of information about society, culture, and attitudes in the Roman Empire of the first century A.D.
HIRSCH 53+ (T/TH 11:30-12:45)
LATIN 0021 CICERO
Prerequisite: LAT 003 or consent/placement
A close reading of Cicero’s Pro Archia as a reflection of Roman culture and society in the first century B.C.,
with emphasis on building confidence and competence in translating Latin prose, as well as the review of
morphology and syntax.
PHILLIPS 85+ (M/TH 2:30-3:45)
LATIN 0104 LATIN LETTERS
Prerequisites: LAT 0021 or 0022 or consent/placement
The art of letter writing was admired in the ancient world to such an extent that handbooks were written that
categorized letters by topic and offered models of each type for students to emulate. This course is a survey
of epistolography in which students will read and compare numerous selections from the letters of Cicero
and Pliny the Younger, a few examples of prose letters by Seneca and Fronto and verse letters by Horace
and Ovid, and Petrarch’s two letters to Cicero. We will consider differences among the letters in content,
style, intent and rhetorical structure, with particular attention to the enduring influence of Cicero’s letters.
CARLON C3 (W/F 1:05-2:20)
VI