DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS GREEKS AND ROMANS Courses and Programs Offered at the University of Virginia Fall 2014

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3 THE GREEKS AND ROMANS at the University of Virginia 1 FALL, 2014 Each semester the faculty of the Department of Classics and their colleagues in other departments offer a rich program of courses and special events in classical studies. The Greeks and Romans is published to inform the University community of the wealth of opportunities for study during the spring semester, These are described in the next pages under the following headings: I. GREEKS: Courses in the Greek language and literature, and in Greek art, ideas, history, and other aspects of Greek civilization. II. ROMANS: Courses in the Latin language and Roman literature, and in Roman art, ideas, history, and other aspects of Roman civilization. III. COMPARATIVE: Courses presenting Classical studies in relation to other subjects. IV. SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS ******************************************

4 I. THE GREEKS 2 The Greek World CLAS 2010 Mr. Mikalson <jdm9x> GREEK CIVILIZATION TR Discussion F F F F An introduction to the literature, government, art, religion, and world of the ancient Greeks. Readings (all in English) will include works by Homer, Thucydides, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Plato. Lectures will usually be illustrated by slides. A midterm, final, very short discussion papers for sections, and a final paper. CLAS WORLD OF LATE ANTIQUITY Ms. Albu < > MWF This class asks students to investigate what happened to the lands and peoples of the Roman Empire after the so-called golden ages. Did classical civilization experience cultural transformation or did it crash and burn? Late antique historians have hotly debated these questions. To some degree the answer depends upon the time and place on which you focus your gaze. We first study the peoples, lands, and cultures of the Greco-Roman world from the second through eighth centuries CE, with this debate in mind. In considering cultural transformation, we especially focus on the development of the liberal arts education in late antiquity and the role of education in mediating between Christianity (and to some degree Judaism and Islam) and classical/pagan culture. ARTH 2053 GREEK ART Ms. Smith <tjs6e> MWF Discussion M M W The painting, sculpture, and architecture of the Greeks, from the Dark Ages through the Hellenistic period. Works are studied in their social, political, and religious contexts.

5 3 ARTH HISTORY OF ART: THE PARTHENON Ms. Smith <tjs6e> M This seminar focuses on the Parthenon as both architectural structure and cultural icon. The monument will be studied in terms of its historical and political circumstances, as well as its setting and religious function. Various interpretations of its sculptural program will be reviewed, as will the cultural property debate and both public and scholarly reactions to the new Acropolis Museum. Students will write a series of short response papers, a lengthy term paper, and will give at least one oral presentation. Some ancient Greek texts will be read in translation. HIEU 2031 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT GREECE Mr. Reeves <hsr6a> MW Discussions History of Ancient Greece from the Homeric period to the death of Alexander the Great. Development of the city-state, Athenian democracy, and the nature of Greek politics; the conflict between Greece and Persia, and between Sparta and the Athenian naval empire; consequences of the latter conflict--the Peloponnesian War--for subsequent Greek history; finally, the Macedonian conquest of Greece and Persia. Lecture and weekly discussions; midterm, final, seven-page paper, and occasional quizzes in section. Readings will average between 100 and 125 pages a week, to be taken from the following (students are not responsible--for exam purposes--for the entirety of any of these, although they will have to read all of either Herodotus or Thucydides for the paper): Herodotus, History Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War Plutarch, Greek Lives Plato, The Apology of Socrates Aristophanes, Three Comedies J. M. Moore, Aristotle and Xenophon on Democracy and Oligarchy Pomeroy, Burstein, Donlan, and Roberts, Ancient Greece (a xerox packet) PHIL 2110 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY: ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL Mr. Secada <jes2f> MW Discussion F F F A little more than 2500 years ago a handful of thinkers on the frontiers of Greece devised a new way of comprehending their world: Philosophy. This revolution gives birth to science, secular ethics and, in short, to the world we have inherited. In this course we begin with the earliest

6 4 manifestations of philosophy and move on to three of the greatest minds who ever lived: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Active participation will be strongly encouraged. Students will be required to write two or three short papers, sit a final exam, and take occasional short quizzes. PHIL 3110 PLATO Mr. Devereux <dtd2e> MW The aim of the course is to introduce students to the philosophy of Plato by exploring some of its central themes. We will begin with the enigmatic figure of Socrates in the "early" dialogues focusing on his intellectualist conception of moral virtue and on the principles guiding his method of philosophical inquiry. We will then turn to the dialogues of Plato's 'middle' period (e.g. the Phaedo, Republic, and Symposium), and will discuss his theory of transcendent Forms, his attempt to give a philosophical justification of morality, his analysis of the nature and forms of love, and his arguments for the immortality of the soul. Towards the end of the semester, we will look into some of the later developments in Plato's metaphysics and theory of knowledge, focusing on the Parmenides and Theaetetus. *This course will satisfy the Second Writing Requirement. Course requirements: two short papers; a term paper, and a final exam.

7 The Greek Language 5 GREE 1010 ELEMENTARY GREEK Mr. Kovacs <pdk7g> MWF Discussion TR Discussion TR The elements of ancient Greek, including the forms of verbs and nouns, the rules of syntax, and a beginning vocabulary. This and the following semester course (GREE 1020) are preparation for either GREE 2010, 2020 (Xenophon, Plato, Herodotus, and Euripides) or GREE 2230, 2240 (the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament). There will be short readings, exercises in writing Greek, frequent quizzes, and an hour exam and a final. GREE 2010 INTERMEDIATE GREEK I Mr. Mikalson <jdm9x> MWF In this course we ll read, in Greek, two accounts of Socrates, Plato s Apology and portions of Xenophon s Memorabilia. There will be a review of grammar, occasionally reinforced by exercises in writing Greek. GREE 2230 THE NEW TESTAMENT I Mr. Dillery <jdd4n> MWF This intermediate course aims to solidify the student's knowledge of Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary and give practice in reading the Greek New Testament. Readings come from the gospels, primarily Luke and John, with consideration of questions of interpretation as well as grammar and translation. (Letters of Paul will be read in Greek 2240). Prerequisite: Greek or equivalent (one year of classical or Koine Greek). Requirements: regular quizzes, midterm, and final examination. GREE 3010 ADVANCED READING IN GREEK Ms. Clay <jsc2t> TR We will read Herodotus Book 8 and Aeschylus Persians. Both contain accounts of the battle of Salamis with very different points of view and in two different genres. We will also look at the newly found and very fragmentary poem of Simonides on the battle of Plateia and Timotheus Persians. There will be frequent quizzes, a mid-term, and final, as well as a paper.

8 6 GREE 5130 PINDAR Ms. Clay <jsc2t> TR Readings in the poetry of Pindar, mainly the Epinician odes. We will try to understand this odd genre, its historical context, as well as Pindar s meter and diction. Who paid for these poems, and how were they performed? Did Pindar have a sense of humor? We will also glance at some of the fragmentary poems including Paeans and Partheneia, etc. For comparative purposes, we will look at the much more accessible poetry of Bacchylides. A term paper and frequent translation quizzes. GREE 5559 FRAGMENTARY GREEK HISTORIANS Mr. Dillery <jdd4n> MW In this course we will be examining a number of Greek historians preserved only in 'fragments'. Our chief text will be Jacoby's collection (FgrH), together with the modern extension of Jacoby, as well as the Brill New Jacoby. We will survey a number of different periods and historiographic genres. There will be 2 exams and one term project.

9 II. THE ROMANS 7 The Roman World HIEU INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR IN PRE-1700 EUROPEAN HISTORY THE LIVES OF THE CAESARS Mr. Reeves <hsr6a> W This course will examine the lives and reigns of the first twelve Roman Emperors. Beginning with Julius Caesar, we will read the ancient biographers and historians and review other available historical evidence about each emperor. We will consider how the modern historian can use these sources to reconstruct the history of the Roman Empire. Topics will include the relationship of the emperor with each of the social classes at Rome, the emperor and the army, the imperial bureaucracy, spectacles and games, the building programs of the emperors, imperial propaganda, and imperial decadence and vice. We will consider the comparative value of the imperial biographers and historians as sources, the role of rhetoric under the emperors, the origins of the Principate, and the transmission of power from emperor to emperor. Requirements: reading of pages a week, a midterm, a final exam, and three five page papers. Readings, all in English, will be drawn from Suetonius Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Tacitus Annals and Histories, Plutarch s biographies, Dio Cassius Roman History, the letters of Pliny the Younger, and the Historia Augusta. HIEU 3041 FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC Ms. Meyer <eam2n> TR This upper-level lecture class assumes a basic knowledge of Roman history. It will cover the most tumultuous period in Roman history, that which stretches from 133 BC to the establishment of Octavian (Augustus) as the first emperor in 27 BC. This was the age of the great generals (Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Caesar); of great oratory (Cicero), of amazing changes in the city of Rome itself, in Italy, and in the ever-growing provinces; an age of shifting political alliances, howling crowds, and the eventual transformation of a Republic into a monarchy. How did this come about? Could the Republic maintain an empire, or was the dominance of one man unavoidable? We will read mostly primary sources in translation, averaging about 140 pages a week; there will be sporadic discussions, a midterm, a final, one 5-6 page paper, and one page paper. Reading will be drawn from: H. H. Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero (fifth edition, 1982) note: textbook may change if the promised new one is published in time Plutarch, Makers of Rome and The Fall of the Roman Republic (Penguin) Sallust, Jugurthine War and Conspiracy of Catiline (Penguin, transl. Woodman 2007) Julius Caesar, Civil Wars and Gallic War (Oxford) M. Tullius Cicero, On Government and Selected Political Speeches (Penguin) and a course packet

10 8 MSP 3801 COLLOQUIUM ON MEDIEVAL STUDIES Mr. Hays <bgh2n> TR This course is a general introduction to the Middle Ages. An important component will be guest lectures by various members of the UVA medieval faculty, along with field trips to Special Collections and the Fralin Art Museum. Topics typically covered include: saints' lives, manuscript culture, chivalry, romances, monasticism, heresy, art and architecture, the reception of Greece & Rome, and the Middle Ages beyond Western Europe. We will wind up the semester by reading Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, a murder mystery set in a 14th-century Italian monastery. The Colloquium is required for Medieval Studies majors but no previous knowledge is assumed and students from all fields are very welcome.

11 The Latin Language 9 LATI 1010 ELEMENTARY LATIN I MWF Ms. Crawford <jwc8n > Discussion TR TR TR Beginning grammar and composition with simple Latin readings. LATI 1030 FUNDAMENTALS OF LATIN MTWR MTWR Review of basic Latin grammar and vocabulary, with simple readings. Prerequisite: Two or more years of high school Latin. LATI 2010 INTERMEDIATE LATIN I MWF MWF MWF Introductory readings from Latin literature. LATI 2020 INTERMEDIATE LATIN II MWF MWF Selected readings from Latin literature. LATI 3080 HORACE, SATIRES Mr. Woodman <ajw6n > MWF Horace began his poetic career in satirical mode. His first book of Satires is nevertheless far more varied than the term 'satire' suggests. The book comprises ten hexameter poems dealing with a wide variety of subjects. Two of the most celebrated pieces are his amusing reports of a journey from Rome to Brundisium, including the people and events encountered along the way, and of his frustrated attempts to escape a bore on the streets of Rome; but other poems deal with sex,

12 10 life, and poetry itself. A new commentary on Satires Book 1 has just been published, and it will be very interesting to see how it measures up to Horace's verse. LATI 3060 ART OF READING LATIN Mr. Kovacs <pdk7g> MWF How to think like a Roman and read Latin from left to right, extracting its meaning as you proceed without leaping about or thinking of English. Some rewiring of the brain will take place. There will be review of the grammar necessary to such reading plus help in acquisition of a strong working vocabulary. Authors read will be both prose and verse, and some emphasis will be laid on reading both kinds of Latin aloud with proper expression. LATI 3559 LATIN BIBLE Mr. Hays <bgh2n> TR Readings from the Latin Bible, beginning with selections from narrative books (e.g., Genesis, Acts) and progressing to more elaborate and poetic portions (e.g., Psalms, Job, Song of Songs). Readings will be taken mainly from the Vulgate, but we will look briefly at the Old Latin versions and at modern English translations. We will also consider some medieval Bible manuscripts, including several in Special Collections at UVA. LATI 4559 PLINY, LETTERS Mr. Woodman <ajw6n> MWF The letters of the younger Pliny--long a source of information about life, literature, politics and society at the turn of the first century AD--have in recent years become recognized as important texts in their own right, both as representatives of the important genre of epistolography and as specimens of brilliant Latin prose: no one writes clearer or more sparkling Latin than Pliny. LATIN 4559 ROMAN COMEDY Ms. Albu < > MWF Plautine comedy will be our focus, although we will also read selections from the works of Terence. We will read in Latin two of Plautus s best-loved plays, the Amphitryo and the Menaechmi. To get a sense of modern interpretations of Plautus, we will watch A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, read several plays in English translation, and compare Terence s Andria with Thornton Wilder s Woman of Andros.

13 11 While modern versions and even our own performance of the plays will have distinctive roles in this class, the most important elements are translation of the Latin, coupled with study of Plautus s language and style as well as the historical and cultural context of his plays. Roman comedy gives us a rare opportunity to delight in Plautus s raucous and sometimes archaic language, to see why both Roman and medieval readers admired Terence s elegant Latinity and to experience Latin as a living language, at a relatively early stage in its long evolution. Course requirements include frequently scheduled quizzes, reports, performance, a mid-term and a final as well as a paper. Texts include: Plautus, Amphitryo, ed. Anne Mahoney (Focus Classical Commentaries, 2004). Plautus, Menaechmi, ed. A. S. Gratwick (Cambridge University Press, 1993). LATI 5060 LATIN SURVEY Ms. Myers <ksm8m> TR This course will consist of a selective survey of Latin Literature. LATI 5120 CAESAR Ms. Crawford <jwc8n> MW Readings in and discussion of Julius Caesar's Commentarites on the Gallic Wars and the Civil War, as well as the "Continuators", who wrote accounts of the latter after Caesar's death.

14 III. COMPARATIVE 12 CLAS 3350 LANGUAGE & LITERATURE OF THE EARLY CELTS Mr. George <chg4n> MWF This introduction to the Celtic inhabitants of Gaul and the British Isles interweaves two approaches, one literary, one linguistic. First, we will compare writings about the Celts found in Ancient Greek and Latin authors with readings of Celtic literature in translation, notably Ireland s closest equivalent to the Iliad, the Táin Bó Cúailnge, whose Achilles-like hero Cú Chulainn undergoes a monstrous transformation ( warp-spasm ) when he fights, e.g. He sucked one eye so deep into his head that a wild crane couldn t probe it onto his cheek out of the depths of his skull; the other eye fell out along his cheek. Second, we will explore how the Celtic languages work, focusing on the basics of Old Irish which includes such exotic features as initial mutations and conjugated prepositions as well as touching on Middle Welsh and Gaulish. CLAS 3150 ANCIENT EPIC & MODERN POPULAR CULTURE Mr. Hays <bgh2n> TR What do the epics of Greece and Rome have to do with sci-fi, graphic novels and film? How do story patterns persist and change over time? What makes a hero? What does it mean to be human? We'll tackle these and other questions by pairing ancient works with modern ones and seeing what they have to say to one another. Works to be covered include Homer's Iliad, Apollonius's Argonautica, Vergil's Aeneid, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons's Watchmen and the 1978 and 2004 versions of Battlestar Galactica. *This course meets the criteria for the Second Writing Requirement.

15 IV. SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 13 The Arthur F. Stocker Lectureship The Arthur F. Stocker Endowment Fund for Classical Lectures was established in 1984 by the colleagues, friends, and former students of Arthur F. Stocker, in recognition of his contributions to the field of Classics. This year the Stocker Lecture will be held on April 10, The speaker will be Edward Champlin from Princeton University. The James S. Constantine Lectureship The James S. Constantine annual lectureship was established in 1987 by the colleagues, friends, and former students of James S. Constantine, in recognition of his contributions to the teaching and study of the Classics. The Constantine lecture takes place every fall semester. Lectures Sponsored by the Classics Graduate Association Each year the graduate students of the Department of Classics arrange a series of public lectures by distinguished scholars of their own choosing. Also, the Classics Graduate Association sponsors an annual colloquium, at which graduate students from the University of Virginia and other universities, and a distinguished senior scholar, present papers on a selected theme. The next CGA Colloquium will be held in the Spring of Tuesday Luncheons At Tuesday Luncheons during the academic year, students, faculty of the Classics Department, and other persons with classical interests hear and discuss papers relevant to the Classics. The Virginia Senior Classical League The Virginia Senior Classical League is a statewide organization of college students who are interested in the ancient world. The VSCL assists the Virginia Junior Classical League at the VJCL Convention each fall. Each year the VSCL also runs two Certamina (academic competitions for high school Latin students) for the VJCL. Students interested in joining should president@vscl.org. The Classics Club at UVA The purpose of the Classics Club is to promote community both among Classics Majors and other interested undergraduates through the facilitation of educational, social, and service-related activities. For further information send an to:classicsclub@virginia.edu. The Archaeological Institute of America The Archaeological Institute of America is an educational and scientific society of archaeologists and others interested in archaeological study and research. There is a chapter of the AIA in Charlottesville, and those interested in joining should contact Professor John Dobbins <dobbins>. The AIA sponsors a series of lectures, which are free and open to the public.