Course Descriptions - Undergraduate Calendar 2012-2013

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C L A S S I C A L   S T U D I E S 

Notes

  1. Students should consult with the departmental Undergraduate Advisor for the latest information on course offerings. Some courses are offered in rotation.
  2. Classical Studies courses are taught in English. See Greek and Latin for courses in the Classical languages.
  3. Effective Fall 2009, CLAS/GRK/LAT underwent a thorough renumbering process. Please see the formerly notes following the current course descriptions or the antirequisites for numbers prior to Fall 2009. Also, take special care to ensure that the appropriate requisite has been fulfilled. Please consult the Undergraduate Advisor if clarification is needed.

CLAS 100s


CLAS 100 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004262
An Introduction to Classical Studies
An introduction to Greek and Roman civilization, focusing on six key aspects of the discipline of classical studies: history, literature, philosophy, myth and religion, art and architecture, and classical archaeology.
Prereq: No more than 0.50 CLAS units

CLAS 103 LEC 0.50Course ID: 009519
Colossos - The Major Figures of Classical Antiquity
An introductory study of the achievements of ancient Greece and/or Rome through some of their major figures. Each year two figures will be featured. These may include Homer, Pericles, Socrates, Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, Seneca, Hadrian, and Constantine.
[Note: This course is repeatable once, subject to different content.]

CLAS 104 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012910
Classical Mythology
A study of Greco-Roman mythology and legend, with special emphasis on the Olympian gods and the figure of the hero. Topics may include myths of creation, the rise of the gods, divine myths, the tales surrounding the cities of Troy, Mycenae and Thebes and the heroes Herakles, Perseus and Theseus.
Antireq: CLAS 225, 226

CLAS 105 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011784
Introduction to Medieval Studies
An introduction to Medieval European civilization focusing on essential aspects of the discipline: history, literature, philosophy, religion, art, architecture and archaeology, law, and science and technology.
(Cross-listed with MEDVL 105)

CLAS 200s


CLAS 201 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004266
Ancient Greek Society
A survey of the civilization of Classical Greece, featuring such topics as the individual (male and female), political institutions, art, religion, philosophy, literature, social life and leisure activities.
Prereq: Level at least 2A

CLAS 202 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004267
Ancient Roman Society
A survey of the civilization of the Roman Republic and Empire, featuring such topics as the individual (male and female), political institutions, art, religion, philosophy, literature, social life and leisure activities.
Prereq: Level at least 2A

CLAS 205 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004280
Medieval Society
A survey of medieval civilization featuring such topics as the individual (male and female), political institutions, art, architecture, religion, philosophy, literature, social life and leisure activities.
Antireq: CLAS 255
(Cross-listed with MEDVL 205)

CLAS 210 DIS,LEC 0.50Course ID: 006241
History of Ancient Law
An historical introduction to law in the Ancient world. Babylonian, Assyrian, Hittite and Roman law, legal practices and concepts will be examined.
(Cross-listed with HIST 210)
Offered at St. Jerome's University

CLAS 221 LEC 0.50Course ID: 003396
Principles of Archaeology
An introduction to the working assumptions, analytic approaches, and integrative and descriptive methods of archaeological anthropology.
Antireq: CLAS 205 taken before Fall 2009
(Cross-listed with ANTH 201)

CLAS 230 LEC 0.50Course ID: 009520
Classical Roots of English Vocabulary
This course offers an introduction to the etymology of the English language, in particular that part which has been derived from Latin and ancient Greek; the main focus will be the most important Classical roots from which the vocabulary of the life sciences and other academic disciplines derives.

CLAS 231 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011785
Survey of Greek Literature
A survey, through English translation, of Greek literature from the earliest times to the Byzantine period. Material studied may include the genres of epic, tragedy, comedy, history, poetry and philosophy through the works of Homer, Euripides, Aristophanes, Thucydides, and Aristotle.
[Note: Formerly CLAS 275]
Prereq: Level at least 2A

CLAS 232 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011786
Survey of Roman Literature
A survey, through English translation, of Latin literature from the earliest times to the medieval period. Material studied may include the genres of epic, tragedy, comedy, history, poetry and philosophy through the works of Vergil, Catullus, Petronius, Livy, and Augustine.
[Note: Formerly CLAS 276]
Prereq: Level at least 2A

CLAS 237 DIS,LEC 0.50Course ID: 006279
The Ancient Near East and Egypt
A study of the civilizations of the Ancient Near East focusing on Mesopotamia (Sumer and Akkad, the Babylonian Dynasty and the Third Dynasty of Ur), Hatti, Assyria, Egypt and Persia.
Prereq: Level at least 2A
(Cross-listed with HIST 237)
Offered at St. Jerome's University

CLAS 241 LEC 0.50Course ID: 005478
Survey of Greek Art and Architecture
A survey of Greek art and architecture from the earliest times to the coming of the Romans. Material studied may include the art of the Bronze Age, the development of Greek sculpture, the evolution of the Acropolis at Athens and the change in art and architecture after Alexander the Great.
Prereq: Level at least 2A.
Antireq: CLAS 351/FINE 310 taken prior to Fall 2009
(Cross-listed with FINE 241)

CLAS 242 LEC 0.50Course ID: 005480
Survey of Roman Art and Architecture
A survey of Roman art and architecture from the earliest times to the age of Constantine the Great. Material studied may include the art of the Etruscans, the evolution of Roman portraiture, innovations in architectural materials and forms, the use of art and architecture by the Emperors and the change to Late Antique art.
Prereq: Level at least 2A.
Antireq: CLAS 352/FINE 311 taken prior to Fall 2009
(Cross-listed with FINE 242)

CLAS 251 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004278
Greek History
A survey of ancient Greek history, from the Bronze Age to Alexander the Great, emphasizing particularly its political and military aspects.
Prereq: Level at least 2A
(Cross-listed with HIST 242)

CLAS 252 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004279
Roman History
A survey of ancient Roman history, from the Republic to the Empire, emphasizing particularly its political and military aspects.
Prereq: Level at least 2A
(Cross-listed with HIST 252)

CLAS 300s


CLAS 311 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004287
Women in Classical Antiquity
A study of the lives of women in the Greek and Roman worlds, focusing largely on the primary evidence.
Prereq: One of CLAS 100, 201, 202

CLAS 321 LEC 0.50Course ID: 003446
Archaeology of Complex Cultures
Cultural development from the agricultural revolution to the rise of literacy. Special attention to the development of agriculture as a means of subsistence and to the rise of early civilization. Areas and periods of emphasis will vary from year to year.
Prereq: CLAS 205 taken prior to Fall 2009 or CLAS 221/ANTH 201
(Cross-listed with ANTH 321)

CLAS 325 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004290
Greek and Roman Religion
An examination of the religious beliefs and cult practices of the classical world. Topics include prayer and sacrifice; divination and oracles; temples, priests and festivals; mystery cults and their relation to Christianity.
[Note: This course fulfills an Area 1B requirement for Religious Studies majors.]
Prereq: One of CLAS 100, 104, 201, 202, 225, 226.
Antireq: RS 326
(Cross-listed with RS 315)

CLAS 327 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011787
Astrology and Magic
An examination of the theory and practice of astrology and magic in the classical and medieval worlds. Topics include the relationship of astrology and magic to traditional Greco-Roman religion and Christianity, occult practices and the people who performed them.
Prereq: One of CLAS 100, 104, 201, 202, 225, 226

CLAS 331 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012911
Advanced Studies in Ancient Literature
An in-depth examination, through English translation, of a genre(s), author(s) or selected topic(s) in Greek and/or Roman literature. Material studied may include the genres of epic, tragedy, comedy, lyric, and satire, and authors such as Homer, Virgil, Sophokles, Seneca, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Sappho, Pindar, Catullus, and Horace.
[Note: This course is repeatable for credit, subject to different content.]
Prereq: CLAS 231/275 or 232/276

CLAS 341 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012914
Advanced Studies in Greek Art and Architecture
An advanced survey of the art and architecture from a selected time period of Greek history. Material studied may include the art and architecture of the Aegean Bronze Age, and the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods. Archaeological, historical and cultural issues specific to each time period will be discussed through the important media of the day.
[Note: This course is repeatable for credit, subject to different content.]
Prereq: CLAS 241/FINE 241 or CLAS 351/FINE 310 taken prior to Fall 2009
(Cross-listed with FINE 341)

CLAS 342 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012915
Advanced Studies in Roman Art and Architecture
An advanced survey of the art and architecture from a selected time period of Roman History. Material studied may include the art and architecture of the Etruscans, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Archaeological, historical and cultural issues specific to each time period will be discussed through the important media of the day.
[Note: This course is repeatable for credit, subject to different content.]
Prereq: CLAS 242/FINE 242 or CLAS 352/FINE 311 taken prior to Fall 2009
(Cross-listed with FINE 342)

CLAS 351 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012912
Advanced Studies in Greek History
An advanced study of aspects of Greek history, through the examination of a specific time period, event(s) or theme(s). Topics studied may include the Archaic Age and the rise of the Polis, the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, conflict in the 4th c. BCE, the history of the Hellenistic period and Greek social history.
[Note: This course is repeatable for credit, subject to different content.]
Prereq: CLAS 251/HIST 242

CLAS 352 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012913
Advanced Studies in Roman History
An advanced study of aspects of Roman history, through the examination of a specific time period, event(s) or theme(s). Topics studied may include the Punic Wars, the end of the Republic, the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, history of the High Empire, later Roman history and Roman social history.
[Note: This course is repeatable for credit, subject to different content.]
Prereq: CLAS 252/HIST 252

CLAS 361 LEC 0.50Course ID: 007324
History of Ancient Philosophy
In this course, students will examine one or more important figures, periods, or issues in ancient philosophy. Plato and Aristotle are among the philosophers who may be covered.
Prereq: 0.50 units in PHIL
(Cross-listed with PHIL 380)
Also offered Online

CLAS 384 LEC 0.50Course ID: 004300
Science and Technology of Ancient Greece and Rome
A study of scientific thought and achievements in such areas as astronomy, biology, anatomy and medicine, and of the technological skills which produced and distributed raw materials, manufactured goods and agricultural products.
Prereq: One of CLAS 201, 202, 251, 252 or a first year Engineering course or a first year CHEM/EARTH/PHYS course or a second year BIOL/SCI course

CLAS 390 FLD 0.50Course ID: 004301
Classical Studies Abroad
This course features a combination of academic study and firsthand investigation of museums and ancient sites, normally in Greece and/or Italy.
[Note: This is a concentrated study course (block format) normally offered in a Spring Term. This course is repeatable for credit, subject to different content.]
Department Consent Required
Prereq: At least 1.5 Units in CLAS and/or GRK and/or LAT

CLAS 395 RDG 0.25Course ID: 013557
Research Skills Training
This course will provide students with an opportunity to improve their research skills by working within an instructor's area of expertise. Students will utilize ancient source material (such as inscriptions, papyri, manuscripts, coins) and modern scholarly literature to investigate a particular topic.
[Note: This course may be taken more than once. Depending on the topic, students may require a reading knowledge of a modern foreign language.]
Instructor Consent Required

CLAS 400s


CLAS 461 SEM 0.50Course ID: 011189
Studies in Ancient Philosophy
Special topics in ancient philosophy, as announced by the department.
Prereq: Level at least 3A
(Cross-listed with PHIL 403)

CLAS 485 SEM 0.50Course ID: 004303
Greco-Roman Civilization and History
This is a topic-oriented directed study course intended for senior students.
Prereq: Level at least 2A Honours Classical Studies

CLAS 486 SEM 0.50Course ID: 009523
Senior Seminar
Each Fall and Winter term a senior seminar on some aspect of Greek or Roman civilization will be offered.
Prereq: CLAS 251, 252; one of CLAS 231/275, CLAS 232/276; one of CLAS 241, 242, CLAS 351/FINE 310 taken prior to Fall 2009, CLAS 352/FINE 311 taken prior to Fall 2009

CLAS 490A SEM 0.50Course ID: 004315
Senior Honours Thesis
Students wishing to undertake a Senior Honours Thesis in their fourth year should consult the Department's Undergraduate Officer.
Department Consent Required

CLAS 490B RDG 0.50Course ID: 004316
Senior Honours Thesis
Continuation of the Senior Honours Thesis.
Department Consent Required

CLAS 492 SEM 0.50Course ID: 004317
Directed Study
Under exceptional circumstances, and only with the prior approval of the Department, a student may substitute an individualized course of study at the senior level. Such circumstances might include, for example, the student's participation in an approved archaeological dig. For further details, consult the Department.
Department Consent Required