Department of Classics
JAMES B. RIVES, 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
Associate Professors
Sharon L. James (5) Latin Poetry, Women in Antiquity
Monika Truemper, Hellenistic and Roman Art and Architecture
Assistant Professors
Emily Baragwanath, Greek Historiography
Brendan Boyle, Greek Political Thought, Greek Law, Ancient Ethics
Owen Goslin, Greek Poetry
Adjunct Professors
Bart Ehrman, Hellenistic Religion, New Testament
J. H. Lesher, Ancient Greek Philosophy
Mariska Leunissen, Ancient Greek Philosophy
Jodi Magness, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
W. James McCoy (17) Greek History
Fred Naiden, Greek History
Zlatko Plese, Ancient Mediterranean Religions
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
Peter M. Smith
Philip A. Stadter
William C. West III
Cecil W. Wooten
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 that 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 website of The Graduate School at gradschool.unc.edu.
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
CLAR
411 Archaeological Field Methods (3). Systematic introduction to archaeological field methods, especially survey and excavation techniques.
440 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
460 Greek Painting (ART 460) (3). See ART 460 for description.
461 Archaic Greek Sculpture (ART 461) (3). See ART 461 for description.
462 Classical Greek Sculpture (ART 462) (3). Permission of the instructor. A focused study of Greek sculpture during the classical period.
463 Hellenistic Greek Sculpture (ART 463) (3). See ART 463 for description.
464 Greek Architecture (ART 464) (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 244. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. A survey of Greek architectural development from the Dark Ages through the fourth century BCE. Special topics include the beginnings of monumental architecture, the development of the orders, and interpretations of individual architects in terms of style and proportions.
465 Architecture of Etruria and Rome (ART 465) (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 245. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. The development of architecture in the Roman world from the ninth century BCE through the fourth century CE. The course focuses on the development of urbanism and the function, significance, and evolution of the main building types and their geographic distribution.
470 History and Archaeology of Bathing (3). Cross-cultural survey of the sociocultural and archaeological history of bathing from antiquity (500 BCE) to today, including bathing customs, baths, bathing images, and toilets of different cultures around the world.
474 Roman Sculpture (ART 474) (3). Survey of Roman sculpture (200 BCE–300 CE), including portraiture, state reliefs, funerary monuments, and idealizing sculpture, with emphasis on style, iconography, and historical development of sculpture in its sociocultural, political, and religious contexts.
475 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.
476 Roman Painting (ART 476) (3). Surveys Roman painting from 200 BCE to 300 CE, with emphasis on style, iconography, historical development of painting in its sociocultural, political, and religious contexts. Treats current debates in scholarship.
488 The Archaeology of the Near East in the Iron Age (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 241. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. A survey of the principal sites, monuments, and art of the Iron Age Near East, ca. 1200 to 500 BCE.
489 The Archaeology of Anatolia in the Bronze and Iron Ages (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 241. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. A survey of Anatolian archaeology from the third millennium through the sixth century BCE.
490 The Archaeology of Early Greece (1200–500 BCE) (3). This course surveys the development of Greek material culture from 1200 to 500 BCE, exploring the origins of Greek art, architecture, cities, and sanctuaries in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.
512 Ancient Synagogues (JWST 512, RELI 512) (3). See RELI 512 for description.
561 Mosaics: The Art of Mosaic in Greece, Rome, and Byzantium (3). Required preparation, 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.
650 Field School in Classical Archaeology (6). This course is an introduction to archaeological field methods and excavation techniques, through participation in archaeological excavation.
683 Etruscan Art (ART 683) (3).
Courses for Graduate Students
CLAR
781 Aegean Civilization and Near Eastern Backgrounds (3).
782 The Archaeology of Dark Age Greece (3). Prerequisite, CLAR 243, 244, or 781. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. 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.
790 Field Practicum in Archaeology (3). Seminar in archaeological excavation techniques to be conducted in the field. Previous excavation experience is expected.
794 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.
796 The Archaeology of the Roman Province (3). This course explores the interaction between Rome and the provinces between the third century BCE and the third century CE, focusing on issues of globalization, resistance, gender, and multiculturalism.
798 Roman Topography (ART 798) (3).
812 Diaspora Judaism (RELI 812) (3). See RELI 812 for description.
841 Special Reading in Archaeology (3).
910 Seminar in Archaeology (3). Topics vary from year to year.
960 Seminar in Ancient Art (ART 960) (3). See ART 960 for description.
993 Master’s Thesis (3–6).
994 Doctoral Dissertation (3–9).
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 Graduate and Advanced Undergraduate Students
CLAS
409 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.
415 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.
540 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
541 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
547 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.
691H Honors Course (3). Honors course for departmental majors in classical archaeology, classical civilization, Greek, and Latin.
692H Honors Course (3). Honors course for departmental majors in classical archaeology, classical civilization, Greek, and Latin.
Greek
Courses for Graduate and Advanced Undergraduate Students
GREK
409 Greek New Testament (RELI 409) (3). See RELI 409 for description.
506 Greek Dialects (LING 506) (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 Greek Composition (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221.
508 Readings in Early Greek Poetry (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221 or 222.
509 Readings in Greek Literature of the Fifth Century (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221 or 222.
510 Readings in Greek Literature of the Fourth Century (3). Prerequisite, GREK 221 or 222.
540 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
541 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
Courses for Graduate Students
NOTE: One or two Greek courses numbered in the 700s are offered each semester.
GREK
722 Greek Epigraphy (3).
744 An Introduction to Greek Law (3). This class has three goals: familiarizing students with Greek language, introducing them to concepts of Greek law by reading secondary literature, and directing them to current debates in the field.
750 Homer (3).
753 Greek Lyric Poetry (3).
755 Greek Tragedy (3).
757 Sophocles (3).
759 Greek Comedy (3).
761 Greek Philosophical Literature (3).
763 Greek Historical Literature (3).
765 Thucydides (3).
767 Greek Rhetoric and Oratory (3).
769 Demosthenes (3).
771 Hellenistic Poetry (3).
775 Later Greek Prose (3).
841 Special Reading (3).
891 Special Reading (3).
901 Greek Seminars (3). Topics vary from year to year.
993 Master’s Thesis (3–6).
994 Doctoral Dissertation (3–9).
Latin
Courses for Graduate and Advanced Undergraduate Students
LATN
510 Introductory Latin Composition (3). Prerequisite, LATN 222. Review of Latin grammar and idiom, exercises in composition, introduction to stylistics.
511 Readings in Latin Literature of the Republic (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222.
512 Readings in Latin Literature of the Augustan Age (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222.
513 Readings in Latin Literature of the Empire (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222.
514 Readings in Latin Literature of Later Antiquity (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222.
530 An Introduction to Medieval Latin (3). Prerequisite, LATN 221 or 222. Survey of medieval Latin literature from its beginnings through the high Middle Ages.
540 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
541 Problems in the History of Classical Ideas (3). Permission of the department.
601 Elementary Latin for Graduate Students (3). Designed as a preparation for the reading knowledge examination for higher degrees. Passing the examination at the end of LATN 602 certifies that the requirement has been satisfied, although the course does not count for graduate credit. One semester.
602 Elementary Latin for Graduate Students (3). Designed as a preparation for the reading knowledge examination for higher degrees. Passing the examination at the end of LATN 602 certifies that the requirement has been satisfied, although the course does not count for graduate credit. One semester.
Courses for Graduate Students
NOTE: One or two Latin courses numbered in the 700s are offered each semester.
722 Latin Epigraphy (3).
723 Latin Paleography (3).
724 Latin Textural Criticism (3). Introduction to textual criticism of Latin texts. Addresses transmission, principles of editing, constructing and interpreting an apparatus criticus. Practical editorial experience working from original manuscripts, microfilms, and digital reproductions.
725 Latin Composition and Prose Styles (3).
726 History of Latin (3).
741 Special Reading (3).
753 Fragments of Early Latin Poetry (3).
762 Roman Historical Literature (3). Study of Sallust, Caesar, Suetonius, or the minor historians of the empire.
764 Roman Dramatic Literature (3). Study of the comedies of Plautus and Terence or the tragedies of Seneca.
765 Roman Lyric and Elegiac Poetry (3). Study of the forms of lyric and elegiac poetry with special attention to Catullus, Horace, Tibullus, or Propertius.
766 Roman Satire (3). Study of the development of satiric forms with special attention to Horace or Juvenal.
767 Ovid and Literary Theory (3). Introduction to literary theory through a study of Ovid and scholarly approaches to his poetry.
768 Horace and Catallus (3).
770 Topics in Medieval Latin Literature (3). Reading in selected medieval Latin prose and verse authors.
771 Cicero: Political Career (3).
772 Cicero: Literary Career (3).
773 Lucretius (3).
774 Virgil (3).
775 Livy (3).
776 Ovid (3).
780 The Roman Novel (3). Selections from Petronius and/or Apuleius and related texts.
784 Tacitus (3).
841 Special Reading (3).
901 Latin Seminars (3). Topics vary from year to year.
993 Master’s Thesis (3-6).
994 Doctoral Dissertation (3–9).
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.