Classics courses are taught entirely in translation and are open to all students, majors and non-majors. With the exception of the history courses, they do not require prerequisites for enrollment. Courses dealing with the ancient world are also offered in a variety of departments at Carleton. Students are encouraged to enroll in these as a way to enrich their majors.
The Archaeology Concentration will interest many students who are attracted to ancient civilization.
110. Introduction to Classical Studies. This course will examine in depth the two most content-rich focal points of Classical antiquity--Periclean Athens and Augustan Rome-- since they provide a context for so much of what Classics is about and, just as important, what different ages have imagined antiquity to be about. The course will cover Periclean Athens and Augustan Rome in roughtly equal units, providing different perspectives on the material from the variety of approaches that currently make up the study of the Classics: history, archaeology, anthropology, gender studies, literary criticism, philology, religious studies, etc. Applies toward Humanities distribution requirement.
111. The Language of Myth. Myth was an integral component of thought, both individual and societal, in the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome. We will study a selection of the most famous Greek myths through close reading of Homer, Greek tragedy, and other ancient sources, and discuss the most prominent of modern modes of myth interpretation, in an attempt to determine how myth speaks--both to the ancient audiences and to us. Carries Arts and Literature distribution credit.
113. From Homer to Hobbits. This course will consider several major works of literature as examples of the mythological theme of the heroic journey. Texts include: The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Dante's Infero, Sir Gawain and the Greek Knight, and Their Eyes Were Watching God. No prerequisites; distribution credit in Arts and Literature.
114.Gender and Sexuality in Classical Antiquity. In both ancient Greece and Rome, gender (along with class and citizendhip status) largely determined what people did, where they spent their time, and how they related to others. This course will examine the ways in which Greek and Roman societies defined gender categories, and how they used them to think about larger social, political, and religious issues. Readings from epic, lyric, and drama, as well as ancient historical, philosophical, and medical writers.
115. Ancient Comedy: Contexts and Comparisons. In this course we will consider ancient Greek and Roman comedy, as well as texts from Classical poets, philosophers, and rhetoricians on laughter and its functions. With the help of comic theorists like Freud, Bergson, and Bakhtin we will also be examining the extent to which the modern genres of newspaper column, film, and TV situation comedy utilize the same conventions and structures we find in the ancient texts. Readings from ancient authors such as Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence, and Apuleius, and modern authors such as John Cleese and Woody Allen. 6 credits.
117. Archaeology of Greece. The course will concentrate on the Prehistoric Period in Greece, from the first arrival of man to the end of the Bronze Age. A major emphasis will be placed on the Minoan and Mycenaean Periods in Crete and Greece respectively. Along with the study of the culture of this period, the course will include a study of archaeological technique, so that the archaeological evidence can be evaluated. Carries Arts and Literature distribution credit.
120. Ancient Literary Theory and Criticism. An introduction to the major themes of Greco-Roman critical thought, including: poetic inspiration, literary mimesis, the role of rhetoric, formalism and the sublime. Among the texts we will read will be Aristotole's Poetics, 'Longinus's' On Sublimity, and Horace's Art of Poetry. We will conclude by examining points of convergence between ancient and modern literary theory. All readings will be in English. No prerequisites. Carries Art and Literature distribution credit.
125. Love, Death & Destiny: The Ancient Novel. The novel is an unfamiliar but delightful area of Greek and Roman literature, with its hey-day in the Roman empire of the second century A.D. We will study most of the nine Greek ones, which are romantic short novels about ill-fated lovers and their wild, world-wide adventures. We will also read the two Latin ones, Petronius' Satyricon and Apuleius' Metamorphoses, or Golden Ass, which are rich both in satire and an important spiritual dimension. No prerequiesites. Read in English. Carries Art and Literature distribution credit.
209. Euripides: Project Course (Cross-listed with Theater 209) We will study Euripides' Iphigeneia at Aulis in its historical, theatrical, and literary context. A vital part of this course will be students active participation -- acting, dramaturgy, light or costume design -- in a full-scale Carleton Players' production of the Iphigeneia at Aulis. Guest scholars/artists will supplement our discussion. In addition to the Iphigeneia, we will read a selection of other Greek tragedy, as well as supplementary historical and cultural source material on the production of Greek drama. Carries Art and Literature distribution credit.
227. Greek History. Study of Greek history from Geometric through Classical times, with special emphasis on the sources for reconstructing Greek history, such as ancient historians, inscriptions, and archaeological evidence. Carries Humanities distribution credit. No knowledge of Greek required. Prerequisite: Previous course work in history or Greek, or consent of the instructor.
228. Roman History, Republic and Principate. Introduction to the basic facts of politicial history from the Eturscan period to the early third century A.D. Readings in literary works and primary sources with emphasis on historiography and interpretation of evidence. Some attention to art and architecture. Prerequisite: History 110 or other college coursework in history or Latin. Fulfills the RAD requirement.
229. The Later Roman Empire, Byzantium, and Islam. Introduction to the political history of the Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic empires from the third to the ninth centuries A.D. Readings and discussion of primary texts from the points of view of social, intellectual, and particularly religious history. Some attention to art and architecture; individual projects of research and interpretation. An important goal is to understand the phenomena of Christianity and Islam in their native context, the Mediterranean world of late antiquity. Prerequisite: Previous college course work in history or classics. Fulfills the RAD requirement.
291. Independent Study. Credit by arrangement.
391. Independent Study. Credit by arrangement.
400. Integrative Exercise. Required for all senior majors. (Fall, 2 credits S/Cr/NC, Winter, 3 credits S/Cr/NC, Spring, 1 credit, S/Cr/NC.)
Course Offerings and Descriptions / Carleton Classics Department
Elementary Greek courses are numbered 101-103. They introduce the essential forms and grammar of the language. A student must complete each of these courses with a grade of C- or better in order to enroll in the next course in the sequence.
Intermediate Greek courses are numbered 204 and above. They are centered around the work of one or more authors. In addition to reading selections in the original language, these courses also require some reading in translation. Short papers also may be assigned dealing with the works in the original language and/or in translation. Successful completion (grade of C- or better) of sight exams offered in conjunction with these courses fulfills one of the comps requirements.
Advanced Greek courses are numbered 300 and above. They are centered around the work of one or more authors. In addition to reading selections in the original language, these courses also require extensive reading in translation. Papers assigned in these courses deal not only with the ancient works themselves but also with secondary sources. Successful completion (grade of C- or better) of sight exams offered in conjunction with these courses fulfills one of the comps requirements.
Foreign language requirement: The College foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion (grade of C- or above) of any Greek course numbered 204 and above.
101. Elementary Greek. Study of essential forms and grammar, with readings of connected passages.
102. Elementary Greek. Study of essential forms and grammar, with reading of original, unadapted passages. Prerequisite Greek 101 with a grade of at least C-.
103. Greek Prose. Selected prose readings. The course will emphasize review of grammar and include Greek composition. Prerequisite: Greek 102 with a grade of at least C-.
204. Euripides. Selected readings from Euripides with an introduction to Greek meter. Prerequisite: Greek 103 with a grade of at least C-. Completes the college foreign language requirement.
230. Homer: The Odyssey. Reading of selected portions in Greek and of the entire poem in translation. Prerequisite: Greek 204.
231. Homer: The Iliad. Reading of selected portions in Greek and of the entire poem in translation.
243. Hellenistic Greek Poetry. A survey of Alexandrian poets, especially Theocritus, Callimachus, and Apollonius. Prerequisite: Greek 204 or above.
244. Plato. Readings of some of the most significant dialogues in translation, with selections in the original. Prerequisite: Greek 204.
245. Herodotus. Study in the original Greek of selections from Herodotus' Histories and in translation of the entire work. Prerequisite; Greek 204 or above.
248. Greek Composition. Practice in composing Greek prose. Prerequisite: Greek 103 or any higher-level Greek course.
291. Independent Study. Credit by arrangement.
304. Euripides for Advanced Students . Intensive study of one play in the original and the remaining plays in translation. Prerequisite: Greek 204. Offered simultaneously with Greek 204, with additional assignments for the advanced students.
351. Aristophanes. Intensive study of one or two plays in the original and of the remaining plays in translation.
352. Thucydides. Study in the original of selections from Thucydides' Peloponnesian War and in translation of the entire work. Prerequisite: Greek 204.
353. Greek Epigraphy. Study of selected inscriptions in the original and others in translation.
354. Aeschylus. Intensive study of one play in the original and of the remaining plays in translation.
355. Sophocles. Intensive study of one play in the original and of the remaining plays in translation. Prerequisite: Greej 204.
357. Greek Lyric Poetry. In this course we shall read selections of several Greek poets from the Archaic period. Authors will include: Archilochus, Sappho, Alcaeus, Alcman, and Anacreon. The aim of the course is to increase the student's ability to read Greek lyric poetry with enjoyment and understanding. Particular attention will be given to philological considerations of textual problems and style.
358. Greek Orators. This course wil examine in Greek selected public and private orations of Lysias, Demosthenes, and/or others of the extant Attic Orators. We will focus on issues both of rhetoric and law, as well as studying Athenian court procedure and the political background to the speeches. Supplementary readings in translation.
391. Independent Study. Credit by arrangement.
Course Offerings and Descriptions / Carleton Classics Department
Elementary Latin courses are numbered 101-103. They introduce the essential forms and grammar of the language. A student must complete each of these courses with a grade of C- or better in order to enroll in the next course in the sequence.
Intermediate Latin courses are numbered 204 and above. They are centered around the work of one or more authors. In addition to reading selections in the original language, these courses also require some reading in translation. Short papers also may be assigned dealing with the works in the original language and/or in translation. Successful completion (grade of C- or better) of sight exams offered in conjunction with these courses fulfills one of the comps requirements.
Advanced Latin courses are numbered 300 and above. They are centered around the work of one or more authors. In addition to reading selections in the original language, these courses also require extensive reading in translation. Papers assigned in these courses deal not only with the ancient works themselves but also with secondary sources. Successful completion (grade of C- or better) of sight exams offered in conjunction with these courses fulfills one of the comps requirements.
Foreign language requirement: The College foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion (grade of C- or above) of any Latin course numbered 204 and above.
101. Elementary Latin. Study of essential forms and grammar. This course should be elected by all students who have taken less than two years of secondary school Latin or who have not studied the subject for two or more years before entering college.
102. Intermediate Latin. Continuation of essential forms and grammar. Prerequisite Latin 101 with a grade of at least C-, or placement by examination during New Student Week.
103. Latin Prose. Review of essential forms and grammar, with introduction to Latin prose through the study of medieval texts, Cicero, and elementary Latin prose composition. Prerequisite: Latin 102 with a grade of at least C-, or appropriate score on the Latin placement exam.
204. Catullus and Other Latin Poets. Readings from the works of great poets in the original Latin, and of further selections in English. Prerequisite: Latin 103 with a grade of at least C-.
241. Petronius and Apuleius. Selections from the Satyricon and/or Golden Ass in the original as well as reading the work(s) in English translation.
243. Medieval Latin. Reading from representative works of prose and poetry, and from the Roman liturgy. Prerequisite Latin 204 or equivalent; students with a strong high school background of 3-4 years may also register upon taking the Latin Placement Test.
244. Lucretius and the Development of the Latin Hexameter. Although centering upon Lucretius' De Rerum Natura, the course will begin and end in the manner of a survey with poetry of Ennius, Lucillus, Cicero, Catullus, Vergil, Horace, Ovid, Lucan, and Juvenal.
245. Cicero. Representative readings, in Latin, across the range of Cicero's literary activity, including, oratory, philosophy, criticism, and correspondence. Prerequisite: Latin 204 or equivalent.
248. Latin Composition. Practice in composing Latin prose. Prerequisite: Latin 204 or any higher-level Latin course.
291. Independent Study. Credit by arrangement.
345. Roman Comedy. Selected readings in the original from Plautus and/or Terence; study in translation of both Roman Comedy and its predecessor Greek New Comedy.
347. Themes in Latin Love Elegy. This course will consider several major themes comprising the rhetoric of desire among the three Roman elegiac poets of the Augustan Age. The course begins with Tibullus and traces the development of certain images and ideas through Propertius, culminating with Ovid. We will examine how each author makes use of these poetic conventions and adapts them to his own particular style.
349. Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this seminar we will read selections from the Metamorphoses in Latin, as well as the entire work and representative passages from elsewhere in Ovid's corpus, in English translation. Prerequisite: Latin 204 or above.
354. Tacitus and The Silver Age. Although the course will find its focus in the Annals of Tacitus, other authors will be read as well, such as Lucan, Petronius, Pliny, Juvenal, Suetonius, and Martial, in order to provide a fuller view of the literature and history of the Silver Age.
358. Seminar: Horace. Selections from Horace's Odes, Epodes, Satires, and Epistles in Latin and the remaining works in translation. Prerequisite: Latin 204 or equivalent.
359. Seminar: Virgil. Selections from Eclogues, Georgics, and Aeneid in Latin and all of Virgil in English. Prerequisite: Latin 204 or equivalent.
391. Independent Study. Credit by arrangement.
Course Offerings and Descriptions / Carleton Classics Department
Art History 111. Introduction to Ancient and Medieval Art
English 243. Classic Theater: Aeschylus to Shakespeare
History 230. Power, Sanctity, and the Search for Order: The Early Medieval World, 300-1000
History 233. Cultures of Empire: Byzantium, 850-1453
IGS 126. The Socratic Turn
Philosophy 111. Introduction to Western Philosophy I: Ancient and Medieval
Philosophy 270. Ancient Philosophy
Political Science 250. Ancient Political Philosophy
Course Offerings and Descriptions / Carleton Classics Department