Classics

This course is an in-depth study of art production in the Classical world, providing a history of making from Graeco-Roman techniques to their reception in the Renaissance and use until the present day. Students engage with the materials, tools, and processes involved in the production of sculpture, pottery, painting, glass, textiles, and jewelry among other art forms. Students study the complex sequence of actions involved in their production, following the artist as maker as well as investigating the client behind these commissions.

This course offers a study of the main themes and mythical characters of the Greek world, both of the divine and heroic sagas. It discusses the sources of mythology and their ideological adaptation. This course examines the literary adaptations of Greek myths in different genres and periods.

The course provides students with an introduction to the major ancient genre of comedy and will enable them to understand Greek comedy both in its historical context and as a timeless example of the importance of comedy. General and thematic topics may include the origins of comedy and its ritual context; the dramatic festivals of Athens; the staging and performance of comedy (including evidence from archaeology and vase-painting); the development of the genre; the travesty of myth in comedy; the nature of humor; the role of abuse and obscenity; self-referentiality, parody, intertextuality and allusion; plot-construction and characterization; audience-reception and dramatic illusion; and the function of the chorus.

The course is an introduction to the study of Greek mythology in its literary, social, historical, and philosophical context. It introduces students to leading concepts and persons of Greek mythology, which form an important foundation of Greek art, literature, and ideas. Everyone is fascinated by Greek myths: but how did these extraordinary stories arise? What was their purpose? Did the Greeks really believe them and what are our sources for them? What is the connection between myth, society and politics? What is the relationship between mythical texts and myth in art? This course looks at a range of Greek myths and suggests some answers to these questions. 

This course introduces students to several foundational traditions of thought in Greek and Roman philosophy. Authors or movements covered may include the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism, and Epicureanism. Among its themes is the nature of reality, its relation to human thought and language, the purpose of life, and the way to happiness.