Advanced Classics

CLAS3003Ancient History: The Greeks from the Trojan War to Actium (O) 3 ch (3C) (W)

Survey Greek history from its beginnings in the Bronze Age to the battles with Rome that ended Greek hegemony in the Mediterranean world. Examine the era of the Trojan War and Mycenaean palaces, the origins of the world's first democracy, the Persian Wars, Pericles and the Athenian Golden Age, the clash of Athens and Sparta, the conquests of Alexander the Great, and the rise and fall of the Hellenistic kingdoms. Discover the enduring impact that Greek history and Greek civilization have had on the modern world.

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.
CLAS3103Archaeology and the Bible (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Delve into the history of archaeology in the ancient Middle East and its relation to the Hebrew Bible. Explore the story of how archaeological methods were developed in Egypt and Mesopotamia and used ot tell the stories of some of the earliest cities, the invention of agriculture, and the early peoples who inspired the stories contained within Biblical texts. Analyse archaeological and textual evidence to see how they can be conbined to tell a coherent narrative or sometimes might not tell the whole story.
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. 

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.
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.
CLAS3353Archaeology of Babylon (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Delve into the Hanging Gardens, the Ishtar Gate, and the mythical Tower of Babel to understand the importance of Babylon. Compare and contrast evidence from archaeological excavations and primary source texts to retell the hsitory of Babylon over thousands of years. Recall the many kings and empires that claimed Babylon as their own Hammurabi to Alexander the Great.
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.

CLAS3423Gilgamesh (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Trace the world's first epic from its earliest Sumerian version over 4,000 years ago up to modern reinterpretations. Read the text in translation and investigate the process of recovering a myth lost in the depths of time. Place the epic in its contemporary and modern context among other stories from Mesopotamia and beyond.
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.

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.

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 (O)3 ch (3C) (W)

Explore the history of scientific thought in ancient civilizations from Greece and Rome to Mesopotamia and Egypt (and beyond). Recognize the remarkable insight these early thinkers had into the world around them. Experiment with ancient procedures and methods of science and math from primary source texts.

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. 

CLAS3885Ancient Greek Literature and its Legacies in English (O) (Cross-listed: ENGL 3885)3 ch (3C) (W)
Examine foundational texts from the major genres of Ancient Greek literature, including epic and lyric poetry, tragic and comic drama, oratory, and philosophical prose. Become familiar with canonical authors such as Homer, Sappho, Euripides, Aristophanes, Demosthenes, and Plato. Explore literary features of the texts, as well as issues of gender, sexuality, politics, ethics, and cultural contact. Develop an understanding of the legacy of Ancient Greek literature in English literature from the Renaissance to the present, including the diversity of early modern and contemporary authors who have written in English in dialogue with the Classical Greek canon (e.g., Keats, Soyinka, Walcott, Vuong). All texts will be read in English; no prior familiarity with the ancient world required.
CLAS3886Roman Literature and its Legacies in English (O) (Cross-listed: ENGL 2886)3 ch (3C) (W)
Examine foundational texts from the major genres of Roman literature, including epic, lyric, and satire, tragic and comic drama, oratory, philosophical prose, and the ancient novel. Become familiar with canonical authors such as Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Sulpicia, Seneca, and Cicero. Explore literary features of the texts, as well as issues of gender, sexuality, politics, ethics, and imperialism. Develop an understanding of the legacy of Roman literature in English literature from the Renaissance to the present, including the diversity of early modern and contemporary authors who have written in English in dialogue with the Classical Roman canon (e.g., Spenser, Milton, Morrison, Tempest). All texts will be read in English; no prior familiarity with the ancient world required.
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."

CLAS3923Ancient Law (O)3 ch (3C) (W)

Delve into the laws of the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds and discover what they reveal about the structure of ancient societies. Examine texts and inscriptions including the Code of Hammurabi, the Hebrew Torah, court speeches from democratic Athens, and the Roman legal codices. Consider the legacy of ancient law codes on contemporary legal systems and concepts of crime, punishment, and justice.

 

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.
CLAS3943Ancient Spectacle (O)3 ch (3C) (W)
Examine the importance of spectacle in the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, from religious ritual to policial oratory, tragic theatre to comic farce, gladiatorial combat ot erotic mime. Work with literary and archaeological sources to explore the many spaces in the ancient world where people gathered to see and be seen.  Gain an understanding of the social functions of ancient spectacles and their legacy in the contemporary world.
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.

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.
CLAS4603The Archaeology of Athens (O)3 ch (3S) (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.
CLAS4613The Archaeology of Rome (O)3 ch (3S) (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 a 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.
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.

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.