Advanced Classics

CLAS3003Ancient History: The Greeks from the Trojan War to Alexander the Great (A) 3 ch (3C) (W)

A survey of Greek history from its beginnings in the Bronze Age to the empire forged by Alexander the Great. Topics include the era of the Trojan War and Mycenaean palaces, the origins of the world's first democracy, the Battle of Marathon and the Persian Wars, Percicles and the Athenian Golden Age, the Peloponnesian War and the clash of Athens and Sparta, and the rise of the Macedonian warlords, Phillip and his son Alexander. Special emphasis is placed on the enduring impact Greek history and Greek civilization have had on the modern world.

Students cannot recieve credit for both CLAS 3003 and CLAS 3013.
CLAS3023Ancient History: Alexander and the Hellenistic World (O) 3 ch (3C) (W)

The social and political impact of Alexander the Great, his empire and his successors on the Mediterranean world, down to the Roman conquest.

CLAS3033Ancient History: The Romans from Republic to Empire (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

A survey of Roman history from its foundation to the fall of the Roman Empire in the west. Topics include Rome's mythological founding by Romulus and Remus, the age of the kings and the rise of the Republic, Rome's expansion to rule the Mediterranean, the violent transition from Republic to Empire under Julius Caesar and Caeser Augustus, the Pax Romana and the High Roman Empire, the Christianization of the Roman world under Constantine, and the fall of the Empire in the west. Special emphasis is placed on the enduring impact Roman history and Roman civilization have had on the modern world.

Students cannot recieve credit for both CLAS 3033 and CLAS 3043.
CLAS3043The Ancient Near East (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Survey the civilizations of the ancient Near East from the Bronze Age to the rise of Islam. Topics include Mesopotamia, Pharaonic Egypt, Achaemenid and Sassanid Persia, Parthia, North Africa, and Early Medieval Arabia.
CLAS3053The Roman Army3 ch (3C) (W)
Examines the development of the Roman legions, from their beginnings as a peasant conscript army to their imperial conquests and fame as a professional fighting force. Topics discussed include: organization, armament, strategy and logistics, social impact, the Roman navy, auxiliary forces, and the legions' significance as a model for modern armies.
CLAS3063Ancient Greek Warfare (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
This course examines the history of warfare in the ancient Greek world, from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period and the rise of Rome.  Topics include the development of military theory and practice through the eras of heroic combat, the hoplite phalanx and naval warfare, and the innovative armies of Alexander the Great and his successors; and the social and cultural factors of importance to ancient Greek military history.
CLAS3073Ancient History: Jewish Civilization from the Babylonian Exile to the Great Revolt (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

 An examination of the social, cultural, intellectual and political history of the Jews during the period of the second temple (516 BCE - 70 CE).

CLAS3083The Byzantine Empire3 ch (3C) (W)

A historical analysis of Byzantine civilization from its emergence from the Late Roman Empire to its medieval zenith under Basil II (r. 976-1025). Topics include the development of a distinctive Byzantine culture, its interaction with Western Europe, confrontation with Islam and its civilizing role in Eastern Europe. 

CLAS3093The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

Traces the more important changes which overtook the Roman world from the late third to the seventh centuries AD. The course concentrates on the Roman experience at the court and in the provinces, and considers some of the dramatic upheavals that swept the empire in this period, which include the change of the principate into an autocracy, the intrusion of the government into all aspects of life, the decline of the cities, the politicization of Christianity, and the loss of the western provinces.

CLAS3313Field School in Classical Archaeology (O)3 ch (3C) (W)

This course is an introduction to archaeological field techniques through participation in a field research project in the Classical lands. It introduces students to survey methods, excavation techniques, documentation/recording of field procedures, recovery of artifacts, and their preparation for storage. 

CLAS3323The Jewel of the East: The Art and Archaeology of Byzantium (A) 3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

The eastern Roman empire, known today as Byzantium, flourished for over 1000 years (AD 324-1453). The art and architecture of this multicultural society, united under a single state religion, reflect contemporary political and religious attitudes. They tell the story of an evolving state that slowly drew away from Roman traditions to create its own identity. Clinging to its classical-Hellenic past through education, it laid a firm foundation for humanisitic studies and the emergence of the Renaissance period. The surveying luxury items (jewelry, textiles, metalwork), the iconography (icons, wall paintings, and mosaics), the elegantly decorated books and illuminated manuscripts, the great basilicas and high-domed churches, most of which survive intact, are just some of the remains of material culture discussed. With the assistance of historical documents and anthropological and scientific studies, this course traces the story of this 'mystical' empire and its legacy to the development of western civilization.

CLAS3333From Kingship to Democracy: The Art and Archaeology of Greece (A)3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

From prehistoric settlement to the great city states and from the monumental works and 'masterpieces' of art to the humble tomb and domestic pot, this course presents the material remains of a culture which continues to inspire artists, architects, engineers and city planners worldwide. The material is examined within a political, religious, and social context with the aid of historical documents, anthropological studies, and modern science. Topics include the contributions of eastern Mediterranean cultures (Egypt, Phoenicia, etc.), the development of the architectural orders (Doric, Ionic) and free-standing male and female sculpture, the ancient theatre, and the development of democracy as interpreted through the archaeological record are just some of the topics covered.

Students cannot receive credit for both CLAS 2303 and CLAS 3333.
CLAS3334Classical Archaeology: Method and Theory3 ch (3C) (W)

In this course students examine the evolution of the discipline of classical archaeology and the scientific approaches to the study of material remains from the classical world: Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and Britain. A pottery lab component will complement this course.

Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CLAS 2333, or ARCH 2333, or CLAS 3334.

CLAS3343Archaeologies of the Roman Empire: Art, Landscapes and Memories (A)3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

The enduring monuments of Roman art, architecture, and engineering feats such as aqueducts and baths, still in use today, are a reminder of the ingenuity of a culture that has left its imprint on the modern world. With the aid of textual sources, anthropological studies, and the sciences, the course acknowledges the cultures that inspired the Romans (the Hellenistic kingdoms of Alexander the Great and the Etruscans) and then examines the political agenda and building programs of the Republic and the emperors. Topics include Iron Age huts and the imperial palace of Domitian on Palatine Hill; the simple funerary monuments of the masses and the pompous display of statuary and monumental tombs of the wealthy; and grand temples, villas and amphitheatres (such as the Colosseum).

Students cannot receive credit for both CLAS 2313 and CLAS 3343.
CLAS3373Pompeii and Herculaneum (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

Buried by volcanic eruption in 79 CE, Pompeii and Herculaneum are our richest source of evidence for daily life in the Roman Empire, from public buildings to private houses, from temples to taverns to brothels, from city streets to tombs, from sculpture and paintings to graffiti and bones. By studying the archaeological remains of these cities, students learn about ancient Roman city structure, class and gender relations, political life, religious observances, hard work, and spectacular entertainment.

CLAS3403The Comic Theatre of Greece and Rome (O)3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

The development of comedy from the kômos in Greece; the reading, in English translation, of an Old Comedy by Aristophanes, a satyr-play by Euripides and a New Comedy by Menander; the development of comedy in Rome through the reading of plays by Plautus and Terence. The history of the theatre, its changing structure, conventions, the production of plays and their performance and the festivals at which they were performed.

CLAS3413The Tragic Theatre of Greece and Rome (A)3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

The history of the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens and a survey of the origins of Greek tragedy; the reading in English translation of a representative sample of the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; the dramatic festivals at which they were performed, the production and performance of the plays, the dramatic conventions. The role of the serious theatre in Rome; a tragedy of Seneca, in English translation, is read.

CLAS3433The Ancient World on Film (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

The course aims to help students understand and enjoy the reception of Greek and Roman civilization in Hollywood and European films. History will be studied via cinematic versions (such as Troy, Alexander, Spartacus, Life of Brian, Fellini’s Satyricon, Gladiator, etc.) and Greek and Latin literature in translation. Attention will be given to the ways in which filmmakers adapt historical subjects and how classical literature is recast as films, offering an exciting commentary on our relationship with our classical heritage. By introducing students to some of the literature and films about the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, it will encourage them to address questions of how they shape our views about the past. The focus will be on analyzing and discussing literature, film, and culture within a historical context.

CLAS3463History of Modern Greece (O) (Cross-Listed: HIST 3063) 3 ch (3C) (W)

An introductory survey course of the history of Modern Greece beginning with the Greek War of Independence in 1821 to World War II. Special attention will be paid to various events and themes (such as the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922 and the Greek Diaspora etc.) by utilizing literature and other historical sources and documentaries in order to present the society, culture and politics of Greece and gain a better understanding of the modern Greek identity. There are no prerequisites.

CLAS3473Introduction to Modern Greek Literature (O)3 ch (3C) (W)

An introductory survey course of Modern Greek literature in translation. Emphasis will be placed on the history and development of literature from the 19th and 20th centuries by examining a selection of poetry, short stories and novel/s. Included in this survey are the Nobel prize winners George Seferis and Odysseas Elytis. There are no prerequisites.

CLAS3483Surfing the Aegean: Waves in Modern Greek3 ch (3C) (W)
Surfing the Aegean is a holistic approach to modern Greek identity which seeks to dive beneath the surface of stereotypes and misconceptions to understand the real modern Greece. The course uses film, music and written and digital sources as well as hands-on activities to engage students to discover the cultural, historical, and social elements that form contemporary Greece.
CLAS3503The Greek Gods and Their Cults (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

The Greek myths of creation and the Greek gods and their mythology. The historical origins of the gods, the development of Greek religion from pre-historic times. Parallels are adduced from Middle Eastern mythologies. Major Greek religious sites are illustrated.

CLAS3513The Trojan War: Myth and History (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

Fought over the theft of a woman, the Trojan War has been a part of popular culture for 3000 years. It has been told and retold by poets since Homer, depicted in the arts of ancient Greece through the Middle Ages and Renaissance into modern times, sparked the romantic imaginations of early archaeologists, and most recently been interpreted on the screen in films such as Unforgiven and Troy. This course will explore the Trojan War through literature, historical texts, archaeology, the visual arts, drama and film.

CLAS3523The Mythology and Religion of the Romans (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

A study of the legends surrounding the foundation and growth of early Rome and of the Italian gods. Roman religion is studied under such headings as prayer, sacrifice, divination, the religious year and calendar, priests and emperor-worship. [Not open to students who received credit for CLAS 4023 .] 

CLAS3573Ancient Mediterranean Art (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Survey the art and architecture of ancient Mediterranean cultures from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. In addition to styles and techniques, examine how ancient Mediterranean cultures influenced and interacted with one another and how these relationships were expressed in material form.
CLAS3583Ancient Mediterranean Warfare (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Survey the warfare of ancient Mediterranean cultures from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. In addition to tactics, strategy, and equipment, examine the interaction of warfare and society, and how different ancient Mediterranean cultures influenced, interacted with, and fought each other.
CLAS3603The Archaeology of Athens (O)3 ch (3C) (W)

This course traces the birth, development, and eventual decline of one of the most important city states of Greek antiquity: Athens and its environs.  By exploring the archaeological and written records, students work towards an understanding of the topography and monuments of the area from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity.

CLAS3613The Archaeology of Rome (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
This course traces Rome's growth from a cluster of mud huts on a hilltop into one of the most magnificent cities the world has ever known. Working with archaeological and written records, students explore the topography and monuments of the eternal city from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity. Special attention is paid to questions of ideology and cultural memory. What ideas about Roman history, and identity were built into the city's monumental landscape? Who had the power to shape this landscape, and how did they use it to reshape Roman ideas about the past, present, and the future of the city.
CLAS3623Remembering War in Ancient Greece (O)3 ch (W) (EL)
A course taught on location in Greece that considers the phenomenon of ancient Greek warfare through onsite investigation of the topography and archaeology of several important battlefields and fortifications within central and southern Greece, as well as the art-historical and material evidence of warfare and its commemoration on display in Greek museums. In addition to reconstructing the context and events of key battles, this course consider how the realities of the battlefield and the commemoration of warfare on physical monuments shed light on ancient Greek politics, society, and culture.
CLAS3633The Archaeology of Ancient Mediterranean Colonialism (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Study the material culture of cross-cultural interaction in the ancient Mediterranean world. Beyond a simplistic process of “Hellenization” or“Romanization,” examine how various ancient Mediterranean cultures, from the core and the periphery, influenced and interacted with each other, and how this is expressed in the material record.
CLAS3703Socrates and the Intellectual World of Classical Athens (O)3 ch (3C/S) (W)

Examines the central intellectual, political, religious and social controversies of the Golden Age of Greece (450-350 BC), by focusing on Socrates in conflict with the citizens of Athens, the writers of comic theatre, and the new professional teachers, the “Sophists.”

CLAS3723Ancient Science (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

An examination of the development of scientific theory and practice among the ancient Greeks and Romans.

CLAS3733Ancient Philosophers (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

A survey of the various forms of philosophical literature produced in the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. 

CLAS3803The World of Jesus (O)3 ch (3C) (W)

Examines the social, literary, philosophical, and religious milieu of Judea in the time of Jesus. 

 

CLAS3813The Early Church (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

The history of Christianity from the apostles to the fifth century: its organization and doctrinal development, and its interaction with Roman civil authority and paganism.

CLAS3903Ancient Drama (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Survey the dramatic literature and performance cultures of the ancient Mediterranean. Topics include the tragic and comic theatre of Greece and Rome, the many cross-cultural interactions reflected in those dramatic genres, and the role of drama and performance in ancient cities.
CLAS3913Gender and Power in Ancient Greece and Rome (O) 3 ch (3C) (W)

By investigating interactions between gender and power in ancient Greece and Rome, this course delves into the social norms and taboos that shaped public and private life in the great cities of antiquity. Drawing on modern theoretical writings as well as ancient texts and images, students investigate ideals of feminity and masculinity in the ancient mythology and public ritual; the gendering of public and private space; licit an illicit sexual practices; love, marriage, adultery and prostitution; and gendered narratives of good and bad politicians, emperors, and those perceived to be "barbarians."

CLAS3923Roman Law (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

A survey of the development and practice of the Roman legal system, upon which all modern civil law systems are based. Topics include: sources of Roman law and legal institutions; legal procedure; Roman legal concepts (persons, property, obligations, succession); equity and social change in legal reform; survival and modern revival.

 

CLAS3933Golden Ages of the Ancient Mediterranean (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Study the great cities of the ancient Mediterranean in their periods of economic, artistic, and political flourishing. Explore the history, literature, art, and culture of these extraordinary periods, and consider who benefitted from them and who was excluded.
CLAS3943Spectacle and Ancient Rome (A)3 ch (3C) (W)
This course examines the importance of spectacle in Roman culture, from gladitorial combat to political oratory, tragic theatre to comic farce, military triumph to erotic mime. Working with literary, and archaeological sources, students explore the many spaces in the city (Colosseum, forum, circus, temples, even crossroads) where citizens, slaves, and foreigners gathered to see and be seen. Students will be expected to complete a research assignment when they return to Rome. Normally taught on location. Students cannot receive credit for both CLAS 2645 and CLAS 3943.
CLAS3953Race and Racism in the Ancient World (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Study the ways that cultural, ethnic, and racial stereotypes were constructed and deployed by various ancient Mediterranean cultures. Additional areas of focus include the similarities and differences between ancient and modern forms of racial thinking, and the legacy of ancient ideas in contemporary beliefs and practices related to race.
CLAS4063Cesar Augustus: Architect of the Roman Empire (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

A seminar dealing with the controversial career of Caesar Augustus, from his unexpected rise to power to his establishment of the Imperial system of government at Rome, through systematic analysis of the primary sources, using the Res Gestae, Augustus' own public statement of his achievements, as a starting point. 

Prerequisite: 60 ch, or permission of the instructor.

CLAS4333Living in the Ancient World: Greek and Roman Housing (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

This course focuses on Greek and Roman dwellings from a socio-historical, archaeological, and anthropological perspective.  Students will examine domestic plans, interior decoration (mosaic pavements, wall paintings, sculptural adornment, etc.) household contents, and ancient literary records in order to explore the religious beliefs of the occupants, the social dynamics of family organization (women, children, and slaves), and the role of the household within the private and public spheres.

CLAS4353Greek Sculpture (A)3 ch (3C) (W)

This course examines Greek sculpture, free-standing and relief, from the Archaic period through the Classical and Hellenistic. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of the human form and the representation of pose, as well as the problems of pedimental construction. Material from contemporary arts, such as pottery, will also be used to illustrate the course. 

Prerequisite: 60 ch, or permission of the instructor.

CLAS4363Roman Sculpture (A)3 ch (3CS) (W)

This course looks at free-standing and monumental sculpture of Ancient Rome, both as an art form and as a socio-political phenomenon. Special attention is paid to imperial portraiture and questions of ideology in both the public and private realms.

Prerequisite: 60 ch or permission of the instructor.

CLAS4403Classics/Classical Studies Honours Capstone Course (A)3 ch (3S) (W)
This seminar course explores a specific Classical theme from a variety of persepectives, combining archaeological, literary, and historical approaches to the ancient world. Students undertake a major research project leading to a final paper and public presentation. Possible topics include political and cultural "Golden Ages"; democracies and republics; cross-cultural exchange in ancient Mediterranean; and war and peace. This course is normally required for all Classics/Classical Studies Honours students, and is strongly recommended for Majors. Open to students who have completed at least 60 credit hours.
CLAS5003Directed Studies in Classics3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

A detailed study of a specific area of Classical Studies. Uses primary sources (in translation) to illuminate the chosen topic. 

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

CLAS5013Topics in Classical Archaeology3 ch (3C) (W) (EL)

Students are introduced to various research methods and skills in Classical Archaeology by working in groups on a specific time period (Bronze Age, Classical, or Hellenistic periods), developing individual projects in consultation with the instructor, and delivering in-class presentations.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
CLAS5100Research in Ancient World Studies6 ch (6S) (W)
Learn some of the most prevalent research methods in Ancient World Studies. The primary assignment is the production of an honours thesis making use of the research methods covered.
CLAS5103Ancient World, Modern Issues (O)3 ch (3S) (W)
This course explores ancient variations on an issue facing contemporary society, with special attention paid to how the legacies of Greece and Rome continue to shape our world for better and for worse. Possible topics include imperialism and colonialism; democracy, demagogues, and populism; racism and slavery; and mass migration and refugees.