Classics
Department Overview
The mission of the Classics Department is to help shape the future of our students through the study of the past. By using interdisciplinary methodologies, students examine and develop expertise in the languages, literatures, histories, religions, cultures, art, and artifacts of the peoples of the ancient Mediterranean.
Students apply multi- and cross-cultural perspectives to gender, ethnic, and social issues in order to gain insight into the cultures of the classical world. In reading Greek and Latin prose and poetry, both in the original languages and in translation, students contextualize works of literature in their larger cultural and historical settings and recognize their significance in the past and their relevance for the present and future. Students conduct research by traditional and digital methods in order to present oral and written arguments supported by primary sources, theoretical constructs, and established scholarship. In acquiring these critical and analytical skills, classics majors prepare themselves for life beyond college both on the personal and professional level. Professional opportunities can include careers in education, communication, arts, law and government, and library sciences.
Both a major and a minor are available in classics. Skidmore is a member of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, which offers juniors the opportunity to study classical antiquity in Italy. Other semester and summer study programs in Italy, Greece, and other countries may be arranged with the help of the chair of Classics. Students may fulfill the Language Study requirement by successfully completing any course in Greek or Latin.
Chair of the Classics Department: Dan Curley
Professor: Dan Curley
Assistant Professor: Amy Oh
Visiting Assistant Professor: Janelle Sadarananda
Associate Professor Emeritus: Michael Arnush
Lecturer Emerita: Leslie Mechem
Affiliated Faculty
Philosophy: Silvia Carli
Religious Studies: Gregory Spinner
Classics B.A.
31 credit hours, including a minimum of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Proficiency of Greek or Latin at the 300-Level | ||
| Complete one of the following sequences to demonstrate proficiency: 1 | 8 | |
| Seminar in Latin Poetry and Seminar in Latin Prose Literature | ||
| Seminar in Greek Poetry and Seminar in Greek Prose Literature | ||
| Gateway Course | ||
| CC 200 | The Classical World | 4 |
| Literature, History, and Archaeology Clusters | ||
| Select one course from each of the following clusters: | 9 | |
Literature Cluster | ||
| Classical Mythology | ||
| Greek Tragedy | ||
| Society on the Stage: Greek and Roman Comedy | ||
| The Hero(ine)'s Tale: Traditions of Greek and Roman Epic | ||
| The Ancient Novel | ||
History Cluster | ||
| Rise of Athens | ||
| Athens, Alexander the Great, and Cleopatra | ||
| Rise of Rome | ||
| Fall of Rome | ||
| Greek and Roman Historians | ||
Archaeology Cluster | ||
| Greek Art and Archaeology | ||
| Roman Art and Archaeology | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| CC 365 | Advanced Topics in Classical Civilization (when applicable) | 1-4 |
| or HI 351 | Topics in History | |
| Transition Course | ||
| CC 395 | The Classics Major and Beyond | 1 |
| Capstone Project | ||
| Select one of the following to complete a capstone project: | 4 | |
Expanded research paper 2 | ||
Senior thesis | ||
Independent study that results in a research paper or other advanced project | ||
| Total Hours | 27-30 | |
- 1
Students may enroll in CL 310 Seminar in Latin Poetry and CL 311 Seminar in Latin Prose Literature courses more than once with permission.
- 2
In any 300-level Greek or Latin course
Students may count toward the major any course listed above plus:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CC 227 | Race and Ethnicity in Ancient Greece and Beyond | 3 |
| CC 228 | Ancient Rhetoric, Modern Politics | 4 |
| CC 230 | Romans in Their Environment | 3 |
| CC 265 | Topics in Classical Civilization | 3 |
| CC 291 | Writing in Classics | 1 |
| CC 292 | Semester Project in Classics | 1 |
| CG 110 | Elementary Greek | 4 |
| CG 210 | Intermediate Greek | 4 |
| CL 110 | Elementary Latin | 4 |
| CL 210 | Intermediate Latin | 4 |
| PL 204 | Classical Political Thought | 3 |
| PH 203 | Ancient Greek Philosophy | 4 |
| PH 327 | Great Philosophers (when applicable ) | 4 |
| RE 330 | Advanced Topics in Religion (when applicable) | 3 |
CC 100 English Vocabulary From Greek and Latin and CC 399 Professional Internship in Classics may not count toward the major.
Writing Requirement in the Major
Majors will meet the writing requirement in Classics through CC 200 The Classical World and any 300-level Greek or Latin course, ideally taken toward the beginning and end, respectively, of their studies at Skidmore.
Classics Minor
20 credit hours, including a minimum of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Proficiency of Greek or Latin at the 200 Level | ||
| Complete the following to demonstrate proficiency: | 4 | |
| Intermediate Greek | ||
or CL 210 | Intermediate Latin | |
| Gateway Course | ||
| The Classical World | ||
| Literature, History, and Archaeology Clusters | ||
| Select two courses of the following, each from a different cluster: | 6 | |
Literature Cluster | ||
| Classical Mythology | ||
| Greek Tragedy | ||
| Society on the Stage: Greek and Roman Comedy | ||
| The Hero(ine)'s Tale: Traditions of Greek and Roman Epic | ||
| The Ancient Novel | ||
History Cluster | ||
| Rise of Athens | ||
| Athens, Alexander the Great, and Cleopatra | ||
| Rise of Rome | ||
| Fall of Rome | ||
| Greek and Roman Historians | ||
Archaeology Cluster | ||
| Greek Art and Archaeology | ||
| Roman Art and Archaeology | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select one course from the following: 1 | 1-4 | |
| Seminar in Greek Poetry | ||
or CG 311 | Seminar in Greek Prose Literature | |
| Seminar in Latin Poetry | ||
or CL 311 | Seminar in Latin Prose Literature | |
| Advanced Topics in Classical Civilization | ||
| Topics in History (when applicable) | ||
| Great Philosophers (when applicable ) | ||
| Advanced Topics in Religion (when applicable) | ||
Students may count toward the minor any course listed above, plus: | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in Ancient Greece and Beyond | ||
| Ancient Rhetoric, Modern Politics | ||
| Romans in Their Environment | ||
| Topics in Classical Civilization | ||
| Writing in Classics | ||
| Semester Project in Classics | ||
| Elementary Greek | ||
| Elementary Latin | ||
| Ancient Greek Philosophy | ||
| Classical Political Thought | ||
| Total Hours | 11-14 | |
- 1
Minors are encouraged to take one 300-level seminar in either Greek or Latin (CG 310 Seminar in Greek Poetry, CG 311 Seminar in Greek Prose Literature; CL 310 Seminar in Latin Poetry, CL 311 Seminar in Latin Prose Literature).
CC 100 English Vocabulary From Greek and Latin and CC 399 Professional Internship in Classics may not count toward the major.
Honors
To be considered for honors in classics, a student must, in addition to fulfilling college requirements for departmental honors, receive a grade of at least A- on the senior capstone project. Specific requirements for the project are established by the department.
Eta Sigma Phi, New York Iota Nu Chapter
Incorporated in 1927, Eta Sigma Phi is a national honorary society that seeks to develop and promote interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome, among students of colleges and universities. Undergraduate students are eligible for membership as of their junior year if they have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the Classics major and a grade of not less than “B” in one Latin or Greek course.
Course Listing
Archaeology
An exploration of the major developments in architecture, sculpture, and painting from Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations through the Hellenistic period. Attention is given to the influences on Greek art from the East and to the influence of Greek art on other cultures.
An examination of architecture, sculpture, and painting beginning with the Villanovan and Etruscan cultures and continuing through the Republic and Empire (fourth century AD). Topics covered include wall painting, narrative sculpture, and city planning.
Classics
An exploration of the heritage of Greek and Latin in the English language, with particular emphasis on technical terminology from a variety of disciplines. Students will learn how to break down English words into their Greek and Latin components, and to generate English words from these same elements. This course is of interest to all students in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences, who wish not only to expand their vocabularies but also to understand the ongoing evolution of English.
An introduction to classical antiquity for students interested in ancient Greece and Rome, the impact of antiquity on Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and a general background in the Western tradition. This interdisciplinary course taught by a team of faculty members from several departments and programs includes studies in literature (epic, dramatic, and lyric poetry, and rhetoric), history and historiography, art and architecture, and philosophy. Students will hone their writing skills in Classics by composing and revising essays related to the three sub-disciplines addressed in the course: literary, historical, and art historical/archaeological analysis.
A study of the important myths in Greek and Roman culture, with attention to their religious, psychological, and historical origins. Comparative mythology, structural analysis, modern psychological interpretations and the development of classical myths in Western literature and art receive attention.
Readings in translation of some of the tragedies of Aeschylos, Sophocles, and Euripides in the context of Athenian society in the fifth century BC. Students will have the opportunity to write, produce, and perform an original tragedy based on Greek myth.
Readings in translation of the plays of Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, and Terence. Students explore both the origins and the fate of ancient comedy within the context of Greek and Roman society. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to produce and perform one of the plays on the course reading list.
Readings in translation of the great epic poets of the Greek and Roman worlds, focusing on a comparative study of the works of Homer and Vergil.
A study of ancient prose fiction with a focus on its multicultural scope, the use of literature as entertainment and the interplay of fictionality and historicity. Students will read the most important examples of ancient Greek and Roman prose fiction in translation while developing skills in literary analysis and interpretation. These include tales of extraordinary adventures, travel to distant lands, romance and fantasy. Reading will include works by Lucian, Longus, Achilles Tatius, Apuleius, and Petronius.
Readings in translation of the great chroniclers of history from the Greek and Roman worlds: Greek, the works of Herodotos (the father of history), Thucydides, and Xenophon; Roman, the works of Livy, Polybius, and Tacitus. The course will focus on the methodology of writing history, comparative studies, and modern interpretations.
How did the ancient Greeks construct their "racial" and ethnic identity and why should "Ancient Greekness" matter to us living in America today? Students will study the dynamics of race and ethnicity in antiquity by comparing constructions of Greekness and Romanness with constructions of ethnic identities in ancient non-Western cultures, including the ancient Persian Empire (Iran and Iraq) as well as cultures of ancient Africa, specifically the Egyptians, Ethiopians, Nubians, and Libyans. Students consider ancient Greek evidence as well as historical and archaeological data shedding light on non-Western perspectives. Students will learn contemporary race theory and the difficulties and benefits of applying it to the study of ancient societies. Students will also examine the role of ancestry, language, religion, mythology, and literature (including historiography) in the discursive formation of racial and ethnic identities among the ancient Greeks and nearby non-Western cultures. Although centered in Ancient Greece, students will move beyond its geographical boundaries through examination of the Mediterranean culturally and its link to twentieth-century conceptualizations of race and ethnicity.
Build Back Better. LAW AND ORDER! Whether it's a Tweet, a speech, or a campaign slogan, everything that we read, see, and hear from our politicians is an example of rhetoric. But what are the features of persuasive political speech and how do our current and future representatives use them? In this course, students will learn and apply ancient theories to the rhetoric of contemporary political campaigns in order to think critically about the aim of political rhetoric, who has access to which types of rhetoric, and how modern politics has helped shape our political and civic identities.
1 block = 1 square meter. But what did the Romans do with blocks of land? How did the Romans use, honor, or exploit the resources available to them? What impact did man have on nature and nature on man? In an attempt to answer these questions, students will begin by reading primary and secondary sources to learn about literary and philosophical depictions of nature. In the second part of the course, students will adopt a Roman identity and meet in the virtual world of Minecraft. In this game, students will learn block by block what went into developing and building a Roman town, and they will experience firsthand how individuals engaged both with each other and their environment.
Selected aspects of classical antiquity that embrace both the Greek and Roman worlds. Topics will vary from year to year based upon the instructor's specialization and interests. Students work on basic research, analytical, and writing skills. Courses may include Greek and/or Roman religion, lyric poetry, and early Christianity.
Students will begin to learn effective writing and will fulfill the all-college Expository Writing requirement.
Students will complete a semester-length project on an aspect of Classical civilization. The project will be collaborative and may involve visual or performing arts.
Selected aspects of classical antiquity that embrace both the Greek and Roman worlds. Topics will vary from year to year based upon the instructor's specialization and interests. Building upon the skills acquired in 200-level courses, students analyze primary and secondary evidence and conduct independent research in major writing projects. Courses may include such topics as women in antiquity, sex in the ancient world, classical poetics, and ancient historiography.
Individual research in any aspect of classics not available in existing course offerings, which results in a written work. Supervised by a member of the classics faculty.
The senior student will undertake a substantial advanced research project in any aspect of classics, which will result in a written thesis of approximately fifty pages. Supervised by a member of the classics faculty.
A transitional course in which senior majors reflect on their work in the Classics curriculum and look ahead to life as Skidmore graduates. Working both individually and collaboratively, students will examine the relevance of classical studies to continuing intellectual, cultural, and civic engagement; explore options for future work and study; compile a portfolio documenting and evaluate coursework in the Classics major; and strengthen the presentation and communication skills essential to professional success. In combination with completing a senior capstone experience, counts as the Senior Coda in Classics.
Professional experience at an advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic and cocurricular experience in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and departmental approval, students may extend their educational experience into such areas as education, communication, the arts, libraries, and law and government.
An introductory course in the essentials of the Greek language, with emphasis upon mastery of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
A review of Greek syntax, complemented by reading selected works by such authors as Xenophon, Plato, or Lysias.
Advanced reading and critical examination in Greek of the works of one of the following Greek poets or dramatists: Aeschylos, Aristophanes, Bacchylides, Euripides, Hesiod, Homer, Pindar, Sophocles, or Theocritos.
Advanced reading and critical examination in Greek of the works of one of the following Greek prose authors: Aristotle, Demosthenes, Herodotos, Lysias, Plato, Thucydides, or selections from the New Testament.
An introductory course in the essentials of the Latin language with emphasis upon mastery of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
A review of Latin syntax, complemented by reading selected works by such authors as Caesar, Cicero, or Livy.
Advanced reading and critical examination in Latin of the works of one of the following Latin poets or dramatists: Catullus, Horace, Juvenal, Lucretius, Plautus, Ovid, Terence, or Virgil.
Advanced reading and critical examination in Latin of he works of one of the following Latin prose authors: Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Petronius, Pliny, Suetonius, or Tacitus.
History
A study of Greece with a focus on Athens from the Mycenaean age to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. Students examine the heroic age, the development of the city-state, the origins of democracy, the nature of imperialism, intellectual and cultural achievements, economic conditions, and family life. Special emphasis is given to the study of the ancient sources: literary, historiographic, archaeological, and numismatic.
A study of Greece from the Peloponnesian War to the end of Greek independence. Students examine the war between Athens and Sparta and its aftermath, the struggle for preeminence among Greek city-states, the rise of Macedonia, the monarchies of Philip and his son Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic kingdoms, the development of scientific thought, and the last "Greek" monarch, Cleopatra of Egypt. Special emphasis is given to the study of the ancient sources: literary, historiographic, archaeological, and numismatic.
A study of Rome from its foundation by Romulus to the end of the Republic and onset of the Roman empire. Students examine the Etruscan world, the rise of Rome in Italy, the impact of Hellenism, social and political institutions in the Republic, the evolution of Roman culture and the end of the Senatorial aristocracy. Special emphasis is given to the study of the ancient sources: literary, historiographic, archaeological, and numismatic.
A study of Rome from the foundation of the empire by Augustus until the sack of the city of Rome and the empire's demise. Students examine the Julio-Claudian and succeeding emperors, political intrigue in the imperial court, the development of an imperial mindset and responses to it in the provinces, the multiculturalism of the empire, social and political institutions, the evolution of Roman culture, the rise of Christianity and the end of the empire. Special emphasis is given to the study of the ancient sources: literary, historiographic, archaeological, and numismatic.