Classical Culture & History (f) 45801 Classics

45801 Grade Level: 11th - 12th Prerequisite: For Classical Language credit: Latin 3 or above and departmental approval. For non-Classical Language students: Departmental approval

This semester elective is designed to be an interdisciplinary class integrating classical languages and the history of the Greek and Roman civilizations. The first part of a non-sequential series, the course promotes critical thinking and the exploration of universal issues relevant to the Greeks and the Romans. Through readings of literary texts and the analysis of historical events, hands-on projects, and research, students perform a survey of the GrecoRoman cultural, literary, and historical foundations of the Western world. A vast array of topics will be covered, from Homer and the heights of classical Athens to the political and social structure of the Roman Empire.

In particular, this independent semester course will be interesting to rising Seniors who have completed Latin 3H or Latin 4; Juniors and Seniors with no previous study of the Classics, but who are interested in studying the Classics and Classical history; Juniors who have completed Latin 3 and are taking the two electives as a substitute to fulfill their Latin 4 requirement.

Note: For students who have completed Latin 3, and are taking the two electives as a substitute for Latin 4 language requirement, some linguistic instruction and further testing will be required.

38416 Grade Level: 10th - 12th Prerequisite: None

Why do Hollywood movies like Troy, 300, or The Hurt Locker fascinate contemporary audiences? Why is war a recurring topic in Western literature through the ages—from Homer to contemporary memoirs of American soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why have video games exploring facets of war, like Call of Duty, reached such a high degree of popularity?

This course will explore first the continuity of the phenomenon of war from classical to contemporary times. Second, it will investigate the classical roots of Western culture. (For instance, a discussion of Livy’s Second Punic War narrative, Rome’s war against Hannibal, explains how the Romans set the basis for the concept of “nation” and “citizenship” that we cherish in the United States.) Finally, it will take a closer look at artistic manifestations of war, namely in literature and film, but also in the popular culture of our 21st century, “globalized” world.

This is an interdisciplinary class involving English, the Classics, and History and will be team-taught by two faculty members. Readings may range from passages in translation of classical authors such as Homer, Herodotus, or Vergil, to 20th century writers like poet Wilfred Owen or novelist Ernest Hemingway. Knowledge of Latin is not a requirement, however, students with a Classics background will be able to integrate translation skills into the course.