Fall 2022
CLAS 816: Greek and Roman Graffiti in Context - Dr. Reeves
Ever since humans became cognizant, they have been leaving behind signs commemorating their existence, their thoughts, and their desires. The most temporarily and geographically widespread of such records are graffiti: images, symbols, and texts drawn, painted, scratched, and abraded onto natural and man-made surfaces that were not originally intended for such messages. The purpose of this course is to examine the graffiti produced by the ancient Greeks, Romans and neighbouring peoples from both a local and a global context. Questions to be addressed include: Who produced graffiti and why? What kinds of graffiti were produced in particular locations? What imagery is common across cultures and what is unique? What can graffiti tell us about cross-cultural interactions? How were graffiti regarded in ancient and modern times? And how should 21st century scholars approach graffiti produced by past or other cultures? This is a graduate seminar incorporating weekly readings, class discussions, reviews of scholarly sources, and a research paper and presentation. Although the focus will be on the ancient Mediterranean, topics will include general discussions of graffiti interpretation, recording, and cultural identity of relevance to all locations and time periods.
RELS 887: Problems in Ancient Mediterranean Religions - Dr. Colivicchi
An interdisciplinary study of the religions and mythical traditions of Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. Topics will vary according to instructor. The course will have special regard for, but not limited to, the Levant, and the Greek and Roman world.
GREK 824: Prose Rhetoric - Dr. Griffith
Selected passages/works of Greek prose, usually drawn from oratory, history, and philosophy, read in the original Greek and commented upon for their linguistic, literary, and historical significance. One speech from Lysias, one from Demosthenes' corpus.
LATN 814 Latin Prose: Philosophy - Dr. Kavanagh
Because Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman and Latin writer, who died in 43 B.C., left us a vast body of work, a corpus that includes letters to friends and family, philosophical treatises, forensic and political speeches, we know as much as we do about the Roman Republic of the 1st cent. B.C. Although there were other Latin prose writers, Cicero is by far the most preeminent. For LATN 321, which is offer together with LATN 421 and the graduate level 814, all students will read one of Cicero's most famous speeches, the First Speech against Catiline. The speech is important not just as an excellent example of Latin prose and rhetoric, but as a historical record. The speech was delivered in the Roman Senate in 63 B.B. by Cicero the consul against someone accused of plotting to overthrow the Roman state. In class students will translate but they will also read aloud the words of the text in order to recreate the effect that Cicero received on that day. Students who are enrolled in 4th year or graduate students will also be responsible for sections from the subsequent speeches delivered against Catiline. Objectives - In reading this text, students will improve their knowledge of Latin vocabulary and their skill of translation into English. Thanks to the content of the speech, students will also learn much about Roman history, especially the politics and social structure of Rome during that time.
Winter 2023
CLAS 805: Topography of Rome - Dr. Colivicchi
In this course we will examine the long process of urban development of Rome, from the Late Bronze Age (10th century BCE) to the end of the Ancient World (476 AD), the factors influencing this development, its changing patterns, the aims and meaning of the “building policy” and the efforts of urban planning by political authorities and emperors. The growth of Rome from the Neolithic period to Late Antiquity based on archaeological, literary, epigraphical evidence. (May be offered jointly with 405. There are additional requirements for students at the graduate level, but these are determined at the onset of the course.)
CLAS 834: Greek Documents of Cultural Contact - Dr. Carbon
The course will examine Greek documents in translation, especially inscriptions, but also, papyri, coins, and other categories of text, by looking at case studies of cultural interactions between Greeks and other groups. A combination of research methods will be used to explore a series of themes, which will vary according to the instructor.
GREK 820: Verse Epic - Dr. Griffith
Selected passages of Greek verse, usually drawn from works of epic, lyric, elegy, and drama, read in the original Greek and commented upon for their linguistic, literary, and historical significance. (GREK 820 may be co-taught with GREK 322 & 422).
LATN 812: Latin Epic - Dr. D'Elia
Virgil was the greatest Latin poet that ever lived. His golden verse has enthralled, educated, and defined civilization for over 2,00 years. In Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance, Virgil was not only the preeminent model for Latin verse, he was seen as a theologian whose ethereal poetry revealed the immortality of the soul and its passage to the divine. The greatest theologian of the Catholic Church, Saint Augustine, quoted Virgil extensively in his foundational works on Christian doctrine. Beyond theology, however, many people in the Middle Ages revered Virgil as a powerful magician; they thought that he was the architect of the mysterious Coliseum and played the "sortes vergilianae" for guidance - like Bible Bingo, they would randomly pick a verse out of the Aeneid to resolve the most important questions of life. In this class, we will focus on some of the most famous parts of the Aeneid: the graphic haunting account of the fall of Troy in book II, the passionate love affair of Dido and Aeneas in book IV, Aeneas trip to the Underworld in book VI, and the duel between Aeneas and Turnus in book XII. Objectives: To advance and solidify knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary; to increase Latin ready fluency; to gain a knowledge of Ancient Roman epic, its meter, core themes, origins, philosophical underpinnings, and socio-political contexts; to discover our own inner classical heroes through the noble Latin verse of the divine Virgil. (LATN 812 is co-taught with LATN 322 & 422).
Summer 2023 - To be announced at a later date
CLAS 809: Archaeology Practicum II
CLAS 810: Archaeology Practicum III
More information about our graduate courses can be found in the School of Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.