Classics Faculty
D.F. Buck, Professor, Chair
Minor in Classics
Classics Courses
Language Courses (Greek) (Latin)
The Greeks and the Romans laid foundations upon which Western Civilization rests. We owe to the Greeks the roots of much of our literature, science, philosophy and art, while the Romans gave the still living legacy of their language, literature and law to an empire that stretched from the North Sea to the Persian Gulf. To allow the student to share in this rich heritage, the Department of Classics offers courses in the languages, literature, history, philosophy and civilization of Greece and Rome.
Our courses in Greek and Roman Civilization are for students who wish to gain a general understanding of classical antiquity and are the usual basis for further work in Classics. The 200 and 300 level courses treat particular subjects and periods, but none of the Classics courses requires a knowledge of Greek or Latin.
There are, however, courses in the Greek and Latin languages for both beginning and advanced students. Those who wish to learn Greek and Latin are urged to begin their studies as early as possible in their university careers.
Students who pass in Classics 101, 102, 312, 342, 431 and 432 may claim credit for these courses in the Department of History.
Requirements for a Minor in Classics
A Minor in Classics consists of 21 semester hours.
101 GREEK CIVILIZATION
This course surveys Greek Civilization from the Bronze Age to the death of Alexander the Great. It examines important political, literary and artistic creations, such as Athenian democracy, tragic drama and sculpture, within their historical contexts. The aim is to provide both a general understanding of Ancient Greece, including its contribution to Western Civilization, and a basis for further work in Classics.
Cross-listed with History (cf. History 251 ).
PREREQUISITE: None
Three hours a week.
102 ROMAN CIVILIZATION
This course surveys Roman Civilization from its beginnings to the fall of Rome. It examines important political, literary and material creations, such as the Empire, the Aeneid, and the Colosseum, within their historical contexts. The aim is to provide both a general understanding of Ancient Rome, including its contribution to Western Civilization, and a basis for further work in Classics.
Cross-listed with History (cf. History 252 ).
PREREQUISITE: None
Three hours a week.
121 CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
This course surveys the Greek and Roman myths as they are found in the religion, pre-scientific thought, literature, philosophy and art of the Ancient World. These myths helped to make the universe, society and the individual intelligible to the Ancients and have contributed significantly to the art and literature of Western Civilization. The aim of the course is to provide both a general understanding of Greek and Roman culture and a basis for further work in Classics.
Cross-listed with Religious Studies (cf. Religious Studies 271).
PREREQUISITE: None
Three hours a week.
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212 ANCIENT TRAGEDY
This course examines critically the more important surviving plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Seneca as dramatic reflections of the political, social, moral and religious concerns of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The aim is to develop a capacity for the critical appreciation of drama and an understanding of the society from which it emerged.
PREREQUISITE: Classics 101, or 121, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
222 ANCIENT COMEDY
This course examines critically the more important surviving plays of Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus and Terence as comic reflections of the changing political, social, moral and religious concerns of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The aim is to develop a capacity for the critical appreciation of comedy and an understanding of the society from which it emerged.
PREREQUISITE: Classics 101, or 121, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
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231 EGYPTIAN AND MESOPOTAMIAN ART
See Fine Arts History 201.
232 GREEK ART
See Fine Arts History 202.
241 ROMAN ART
See Fine Arts History 211.
262 PLATO AND ARISTOTLE
See Philosophy 262.
288 SPECIAL TOPICS
312 (formerly 202) AUGUSTUS AND THE EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE
This course gives detailed consideration to the political, military, social and economic history of the Roman Empire from the assassination of Julius Caesar to the suicide of Nero. The focus is on the civil wars of the Late Republic, the achievements of the Augustan Principate and its evolution under the Julio-Claudian emperors. Particular attention is given to the literary and documentary sources, especially Tacitus' Annals and Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars.
Cross-listed with History (cf. History 271 ).
PREREQUISITE: Classics 102, or 121, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
341 ROMAN LAW
Roman Law as opposed to British Common Law is the basis of the present law of most countries in Western Europe as well as of Quebec. It is not only fundamental for legal studies, but it also illuminates contemporary issues like divorce and human rights. This course examines the history, sources, procedure, substance and legacy of the Roman Civil and Criminal Law with special attention to Justinian's Institutes.
PREREQUISITE: Classics 102, or 202, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
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342 THE LATER ROMAN EMPIRE (A.D. 284-410)
This course gives detailed consideration to the political, military, social, economic and religious history of the Roman Empire from the reign of Diocletian to the sack of Rome by Alaric the Visigoth. Attention is directed to the reasons why the Romans failed to halt the decline of their Empire.
Cross-listed with History (cf. History 272)
PREREQUISITE: Classics 102, or 202, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
388 SPECIAL TOPICS
488 SPECIAL TOPICS
GREEK 101
This course provides an introduction to the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek.
PREREQUISITE: None.
Three hours a week.
GREEK 102
This course provides a continuation of the study of the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek.
PREREQUISITE: Greek 101
Three hours a week.
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LATIN 101
This course provides an introduction to the grammar and syntax of the Latin language.
Three hours a week.
LATIN 102
This course provides a continuation of the study of the grammar and syntax of the Latin language.
PREREQUISITE: Latin 101
Three hours a week.
431-432 DIRECTED STUDIES
Student and teacher jointly investigate problems or authors or do advanced language studies in consultation with the Chair. May be used as a History credit with approval of History Chair.
PREREQUISITE: Four courses in Classics. (See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies).
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