Department of Classics
CECIL W. WOOTEN, Chair
Professors
Robert Babcock, Medieval Latin
Donald Haggis (40) Greek Archaeology, Aegean Prehistory, Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Crete
James J. O'Hara (2) Latin Poetry, Latin and Greek Literature
William H. Race (42) Pindar, Greek Poetry, the Classical Tradition
James B. Rives, Ancient Religion, Roman Literature and Culture
G. Kenneth Sams (13) Greek Archaeology, Anatolian and Near Eastern Archaeology
Cecil W. Wooten (35) Greek and Latin Prose, Rhetoric, Greek and Latin Language
Associate Professors
Sharon L. James (5) Latin Poetry, Women in Antiquity
Werner Riess (8) Roman History, Latin Epigraphy, Latin Prose Authors
Peter M. Smith (26) Greek Philosophical Literature, Greek Tragedy, Homer
Monika Truemper, Hellenistic and Roman Art and Architecture
Assistant Professors
Emily Baragwanath, Greek Historiography
Brendan Boyle, Greek Political Thought, Greek Law, Ancient Ethics
Lidewijde De Jong, Roman Archaeology
Owen Goslin, Greek Poetry
Adjunct Professors
J. H. Lesher, Ancient Greek Philosophy
Jodi Magness, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
W. James McCoy (17) Greek History
C.D.C. Reeve (39) Ancient Philosophy, Moral Psychology, History of Philosophy
Mary C. Sturgeon (31) Greek Art
Richard J. A. Talbert (18) Roman History
Professors Emeriti
Edwin L. Brown
Carolyn L. Connor
George W. Houston
Henry R. Immerwahr
Gerhard Koeppel
Jerzy Linderski
Sara Mack
Kenneth J. Reckford
Philip A. Stadter
William C. West III
Graduate work in the Department of Classics is primarily designed to meet the needs of students who intend by intensive study and research to specialize in the classics. The M.A. prepares especially for teaching at the secondary level; the Ph.D. for research and teaching at the university level.
The department cooperates with the other language departments in the University in making available the great literatures of the world. To this end the department offers courses in Greek and Latin literature which do not require an ability to read either language in the original. Such courses are designed to emphasize aspects of the Greek and Latin genius, the forms of literature created in the ancient world and perpetuated, and the permanent contributions of Greece and Rome to Western civilization. These courses may be elected as part of a major for the Curriculum in Comparative Literature or as a minor or part of a major in other departments.
The department also offers courses in classical and medieval Latin for students of medieval studies in other departments.
The University is a contributing member of the American Academy in Rome, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, the Archaeological Institute of America, the American Research Institute in Turkey and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. There are thus numerous opportunities for study and archaeological activity abroad.
Requirements for Advanced Degrees
The degree of master of arts is offered with a concentration in Greek, Latin or classical archaeology. The degree of doctor of philosophy is offered with a concentration in Greek and Latin, classics with historical emphasis, classical archaeology or classical Latin and medieval studies. A minor in related departments may be permitted on application. Students may broaden their program by taking supporting work in related languages or literatures or in art, history, linguistics or philosophy.
Teaching assistance or lecture instruction equivalent to at least three contact hours a week for one semester, or until teaching competence is acquired, is required of all doctoral candidates. In practice, almost all students acquire several years of supervised teaching experience.
Requirements for advanced degrees are stated in general in the section "Graduate Degree Requirements," but exact prescription of the courses can be determined only upon knowledge of the needs of the individual applicant. A brochure describing the various programs in greater detail is available from the department, and is also online on the Web site of The Graduate School.
Graduate students in other departments may, with the approval of their department advisor, pursue a minor in medieval studies through the Department of Classics; for details see the last section of the Classics entry.
Classical Archaeology
Courses for Graduates and Advanced Undergraduates
440 [140] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3) . Permission of the department.
445 [148] ART IN THE AGE OF JUSTINIAN AND THEODORA (3). Prerequisite, any course in history, art history or classics, or permission of the instructor. Interdisciplinary course is based on monuments, history and contemporary writings of the Byzantine empire during the rule of Justinian I (527–565) and the empress Theodora (527–548). Approach will be comparative, analytical and contextual, and will include a feminist perspective. Fall. Connor.
448 [149A] CONSTANTINOPLE: THE CITY AND ITS ART (3). Prerequisite, any course in history, art history or classics, or permission of the instructor. Interdisciplinary study of the city of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine empire from 325 to 1453, with emphasis on the artistic, social and cultural context. Includes study of monuments and their decoration, objects, contemporary documents and sources, all within a chronological, historical framework. Fall or spring. Connor.
449 [149B] IN CONSTANTINOPLE (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 448 or permission of the instructor. This course, taught primarily in Istanbul, once Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine empire from 325 to 1453, provides first-hand experience with monuments and an overview of the history, topography and culture of this great city. Summer. Connor.
460 [193] GREEK PAINTING (ART 460) (3). Prerequisite, any intermediate art history course or permission of the instructor. A survey of the development of Greek art from geometric to Hellenistic painting through a study of Greek vases, mosaics and mural paintings. Spring. Sturgeon.
461 [194] ARCHAIC GREEK SCULPTURE (ART 461) (3). Prerequisite, any intermediate art history course or permission of the instructor. A focused study of sculpture during the Archaic period in Greece. (Alternate years.) Sturgeon.
462 [195] CLASSICAL GREEK SCULPTURE (ART 462) (3). Prerequisite, any intermediate art history course or permission of the instructor. A focused study of Greek sculpture during the classical period. (Alternate years.) Sturgeon.
463 [196] HELLENISTIC GREEK SCULPTURE (ART 463) (3). Prerequisite, any intermediate art history course or permission of the instructor. A focused study of Greek sculpture in the Hellenistic period. (Alternate years.) Sturgeon.
464 [190] GREEK ARCHITECTURE (ART 464) (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 244 or permission of the instructor. The course is a survey of Greek architectural development from the Dark Age through the fourth century BCE, with particular emphasis given to the archaic and classical periods. Among the special topics to be considered are the beginnings of monumental architecture in Greece, the evolution and development of the orders, the merging of the orders and the varying interpretations of individual architects in terms of style, the definition of space and proportions. (Alternate years.) Sams.
465 [191] ARCHITECTURE OF ETRURIA AND ROME (ART 465) (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 245 or permission of the instructor. The development of architecture in Italy and in the Roman world from the ninth century BCE through the fourth century CE. The course will focus upon the development of Roman urbanism and on the function, significance and evolution of the main building types, as well as their geographic distribution. In addition, particular attention will be paid to the political, social, economic and cultural implications of public monumental as well as private residential architecture. (Alternate years.) Terrenato, Truemper.
475 [192] ROME AND THE WESTERN PROVINCES (3). Survey of the material remains of the Western provinces of the Roman Empire, with attention to their historical context and significance. Fall. Terrenato.
488 [188] THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NEAR EAST IN THE IRON AGE (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 241 or permission of the instructor. A survey of the principal sites, monuments and art of the Iron Age Near East, ca. 1200 to 500 BCE. (Alternate years.) Sams.
489 [189] THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANATOLIA IN THE BRONZE AND IRON AGES (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 241 or permission of the instructor. A survey of Anatolian archaeology from the third millennium through the sixth century BCE. (Alternate years.) Sams.
512 [110] ANCIENT SYNAGOGUES (JWST 512, RELI 512) (3). Prerequisite, RELI 110 or permission of the instructor.. This is a course on ancient synagogues in Palestine and the Diaspora from the Second Temple period to the seventh century CE.
561 [182] MOSAICS: THE ART OF MOSAIC IN GREECE, ROME, AND BYZANTIUM (3). Prerequisite, any course in classics, art history or religious studies. Traces the development of mosaic technique from Greek antiquity through the Byzantine Middle Ages as revealed by archaeological investigations and closely analyzes how this dynamic medium conveyed meaning. Spring. Connor.
650 [153] FIELD SCHOOL IN CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY (6). This course is an introduction to archaeological field methods and excavation techniques. For a period of five and one-half weeks, the student will participate in all aspects of archaeological fieldwork. The purpose is to allow the student to work directly with field archaeologists and specialists in the field and to do the actual digging and data processing, while reflecting on the broader aims of archaeological research.
Courses for Graduates
680 [296] ROMAN SCULPTURE (ART 680) (3). This course surveys Roman sculpture from about 500 BCE to 400 CE, including different media such as portraiture, state reliefs, mythological and other reliefs, idealizing sculpture (divinities, mythological figures, heroes) sarcophagi and other funerary monuments, and decorative sculpture. Emphasis will be placed on style, iconography and the historical development of Roman sculpture in its social, cultural, political and religious contexts. (Alternate years.) Truemper.
683 [299] ETRUSCAN ART (ART 683) (3). (Alternate years.) Staff.
GREK 722 [201] GREEK EPIGRAPHY (3). See courses in Greek.
LATN 722 [202] LATIN EPIGRAPHY (3). See courses in Latin.
781 [198] AEGEAN CIVILIZATION AND NEAR EASTERN BACKGROUNDS (3). (Alternate years.) Haggis.
782 [199] THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF DARK AGE GREECE (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 243, 244 or 781, or by permission. Issues and problems in the analysis of the Greek Dark Age and its material culture from the collapse of the Bronze Age palaces to the earliest Greek city states. Fall. Haggis.
790 [290] FIELD PRACTICUM IN ARCHAEOLOGY (3). Seminar in archaeological excavation techniques to be conducted in the field. Previous excavation experience is expected. Summer or fall. Haggis, Sams, Terrenato.
794 [294] GREEK TOPOGRAPHY (ART 794) (3). Study of chief archaeological sites of Greece and of existing buildings and monuments. Attention to the problems of excavation and the role of the sites in Greek history. (Alternate years.) Sams.
797 [297] ROMAN PAINTING (ART 797) (3). (Alternate years.) Truemper.
798 [298] ROMAN TOPOGRAPHY (ART 798) (3). (Alternate years.)
Terrenato.
841 [341] SPECIAL READING IN ARCHAEOLOGY (3). Fall and spring. Staff.
910 [310] SEMINAR IN ARCHAEOLOGY (3). Topics vary from year to year. Staff.
960 [358] SEMINAR IN ANCIENT ART (ART 960) (3). Fall and spring. Sturgeon.
993 [393] MASTER'S THESIS (3–6). Both semesters. Staff.
994 [394] DOCTORAL DISSERTATION (3–9). Both semesters. Staff.
Classics in English/Classical Civilization
Courses Not Requiring a Reading Knowledge of Greek and Latin
The following courses in classical literature and civilization are especially designed to supply the necessary foundation for those who, without a reading knowledge of the ancient languages, wish a broader culture or plan to specialize in modern literature, history, art, etc. When approved these courses may count as part of the major requirements in other departments. The courses may also be taken to satisfy the requirements of a minor in literature. See also English and Comparative Literature.
Courses for Graduates and Advanced Undergraduates
409 [109] HISTORICAL LITERATURE GREEK AND ROMAN (3). The study in English translation of selections from Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, Tacitus and others, with consideration of their literary qualities and their readability as historians. (Alternate years.) Staff.
415 [115] ROMAN LAW (3). Introduction to Roman law, public and private. On the basis of Roman texts in translation (or the original if desired), consideration of the principles of Roman constitutional law and the legal logic and social importance of Roman civil law. (Alternate years.) Staff.
418 [118] BYZANTINE CIVILIZATION (3). Introduction to intellectual and social history of the Byzantine Empire from Justinian to 1453, noting the interaction of classical and Christian culture and Byzantium's influence on neighboring peoples and on the Renaissance. (Alternate years.) Connor.
540 [140] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3). By permission of the department.
541 [141] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3). By permission of the department.
547 [147] APPROACHES TO WOMEN IN ANTIQUITY (3). Permission of the instructor. Graduate students and senior classics majors. Intensive interdisciplinary introduction to women in antiquity, using literary, historical and visual materials.
812 [231] DIASPORA JUDAISM IN THE ROMAN WORLD (3).
Greek
Courses for Graduates and Advanced Undergraduates
409 [458] GREEK NEW TESTAMENT (RELI 409) (3). Prerequisite, GREK 222 or equivalent. Staff.
506 [726] GREEK DIALECTS (3). Permission of the instructor. Survey of the major dialects of Classical Greek and study of their derivation from Common Greek. Texts include both literary and epigraphical sources from the eighth century BCE to the Hellenistic Period.
507 [107] GREEK COMPOSITION (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221. Smith.
508 [108] READINGS IN EARLY GREEK POETRY (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221 or 222. (Alternate years.) Staff.
509 [109] READINGS IN GREEK LITERATURE OF THE FIFTH CENTURY (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221 or 222. (Alternate years.) Staff.
510 [110] READINGS IN GREEK LITERATURE OF THE FOURTH CENTURY (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221 or 222. (Alternate years.) Wooten.
540 [140] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3). By permission of the department.
541 [141] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3). By permission of the department.
Courses for Graduates
NOTE: One or two Greek courses numbered in the 700s are offered each semester.
722 [201] GREEK EPIGRAPHY (3). Staff.
753 [211] GREEK LYRIC POETRY (3). Race.
755 [212] GREEK TRAGEDY (3). Smith, Race, Holmes.
759 [213] GREEK COMEDY (3). Staff.
761 [214] GREEK PHILOSOPHICAL LITERATURE (3). Smith.
767 [215] GREEK RHETORIC AND ORATORY (3). Wooten.
763 [216] GREEK HISTORICAL LITERATURE (3). Staff.
771 [217] HELLENISTIC POETRY (3). Staff.
775 [218] LATER GREEK PROSE (3). Staff.
750 [251] HOMER (3). Smith, Race.
757 [252] SOPHOCLES (3). Race.
765 [253] THUCYDIDES (3). Staff.
769 [256] DEMOSTHENES (3). Wooten.
901 [301] GREEK SEMINARS (3). Topics vary from year to year. Staff.
891 [341] SPECIAL READING (3). Fall and spring. Staff.
993 [393] MASTER'S THESIS (3-6). Fall and spring. Staff.
994 [394] DOCTORAL DISSERTATION (3-9). Fall and spring. Staff.
Latin
Courses for Graduates and Advanced Undergraduates
510 [110] INTRODUCTORY LATIN COMPOSITION (3). Prerequisite, LATN 222 or the equivalent. Review of Latin grammar and idiom, exercises in composition, introduction to stylistics. (Alternate years.) Wooten.
511 [111] READINGS IN LATIN LITERATURE OF THE REPUBLIC (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222. (Alternate years.) Riess.
512 [112] READINGS IN LATIN LITERATURE OF THE AUGUSTAN AGE (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222. (Alternate years.) James.
513 [113] READINGS IN LATIN LITERATURE OF THE EMPIRE (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222. (Alternate years.) Wooten.
514 [114] READINGS IN LATIN LITERATURE OF LATER ANTIQUITY (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222 or equivalent. Lafferty.
530 [130] AN INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL LATIN (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222 or equivalent. Survey of medieval Latin literature from its beginnings through the high Middle Ages. Lafferty
540 [140] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3). By permission of the department.
541 [141] PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL IDEAS (3). By permission of the department.
601/602 [101/102] ELEMENTARY LATIN FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS. These courses are designed as a preparation for the reading knowledge examination for higher degrees. Passing the examination at the end of 602 certifies that the requirement has been satisfied. One semester each. Staff.
Courses for Graduates
NOTE: One or two Latin courses numbered in the 700s are offered each semester.
722 [202] LATIN EPIGRAPHY (3). Riess.
723 [203] LATIN PALEOGRAPHY (3). Lafferty.
725 [207] LATIN COMPOSITION AND PROSE STYLES (3). Wooten.
726 [210] HISTORY OF LATIN (3).
753 [221] FRAGMENTS OF EARLY LATIN POETRY (3). Staff.
762 [222] ROMAN HISTORICAL LITERATURE (3). Study of Sallust, Caesar, Suetonius or the minor historians of the empire. Staff.
764 [224] ROMAN DRAMATIC LITERATURE (3). Study of the comedies of Plautus and Terence or the tragedies of Seneca. Staff.
765 [225] ROMAN LYRIC AND ELEGIAC POETRY (3). Study of the forms of lyric and elegiac poetry with special attention to Catullus, Horace, Tibullus or Propertius. James.
766 [226] ROMAN SATIRE (3). Study of the development of satiric forms with special attention to Horace or Juvenal. Staff.
767 [227] OVID AND LITERARY THEORY (3). Introduction to literary theory through a study of Ovid and scholarly approaches to his poetry. James.
768 [228] HORACE AND CATULLUS (3).
770 [230] TOPICS IN MEDIEVAL LATIN LITERATURE (3). Reading in selected medieval Latin prose and verse authors. Lafferty.
771 [261] CICERO: POLITICAL CAREER (3). Riess.
772 [262] CICERO: LITERARY CAREER (3).
773 [263] LUCRETIUS (3). O'Hara.
774 [264] VIRGIL (3). O'Hara.
775 [265] LIVY (3). Staff.
776 [266] OVID (3). O'Hara, James.
780 [270] PETRONIUS (3). Wooten, Riess.
784 [274] TACITUS (3). Staff.
901 [301] LATIN SEMINARS (3). Topics vary from year to year. Staff.
741 [341] SPECIAL READING (3). Fall and spring. Staff.
993 [393] MASTER'S THESIS (3-6). Fall and spring. Staff.
994 [394] DOCTORAL DISSERTATION (3-9). Fall and spring. Staff.
Medieval Studies
Minor in Medieval Studies
Graduate majors in other departments who wish to declare a medieval studies minor may do so with the approval of their departmental advisor. Any student may, of course, take medieval studies courses without seeking a formal minor.
Requirements for the graduate minor in medieval studies are listed on the Web site of the Program in Medieval Studies: www.unc.edu/depts/medstud.