Classical Studies (CLAS)

CLAS 1000. Dean's Seminar. 3 Credits.

The Dean’s Seminars provide Columbian College first-year students focused scholarship on specific intellectual challenges. Topics vary by semester; see department for more details.

CLAS 1001. Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations. 3 Credits.

Overview and brief introduction to the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean world ca. 6000 BCE through ca. 476 CE. Aspects of the political, social, cultural, economic, diplomatic, military, artistic, and religious history of the ancient Near East, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome. Restricted to freshmen.

CLAS 1099. Variable Topics. 1-36 Credits.

CLAS 2104. Ancient Medicine and Modern Medical Terms. 3 Credits.

The formation of medical terms derived from Greek and Latin, along with principles that govern the derivation of their meaning. The course includes a survey of ancient medical centers and practices.

CLAS 2105. Special Topics. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.

CLAS 2105W. Special Topics. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement.

CLAS 2106. Mythology of the Classical World. 3 Credits.

The creation of the world, the nature of the gods, and the adventures of heroes as described in various Greek and Roman literary sources (e.g., epic, drama, hymns) and as shown in ancient art.

CLAS 2106W. Mythology of the Classical World. 3 Credits.

The creation of the world, the nature of the gods, and the adventures of heroes as described in various Greek and Roman literary sources (e.g., epic, drama, hymns) and as shown in ancient art. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement.

CLAS 2107. Greek and Roman Drama. 3 Credits.

Study of Greek and Roman tragedy and comedy; the nature and setting of dramatic performance in classical antiquity.

CLAS 2112. History of Ancient Greece. 3 Credits.

A political and social survey of Bronze Age Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, the Iron Age, Archaic Period, Classical Greece through Alexander the Great. (Same as HIST 2112)

CLAS 2113. The Roman World to 337 A.D.. 3 Credits.

Prehistoric Italy; rise and decline of the Roman Empire and Latin civilization; cultural, social, and political developments in the Greek world under Roman rule. Same as HIST 2113.

CLAS 2114. Sport and Society in Ancient Greece. 3 Credits.

Understanding the place of ancient Greek athletics and sports in their civilization leads to the religious, political, and economic contexts of athletics. Issues of class, gender, nationalism, and ethnicity. Credit cannot be earned for this course and HIST 2114.

CLAS 2802. Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Near East. 3 Credits.

Focus on texts from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, Israel, and the Hittites. Readings from primary sources translated into English as well as secondary literature.

CLAS 2803. The Ancient Near East and Egypt to 322 B.C.. 3 Credits.

Survey of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Anatolian, West Semitic, and Iranian civilizations from the Neolithic period to Alexander’s conquest. Credit cannot be earned for this course and HIST 2803.

CLAS 2804. History of Ancient Israel. 3 Credits.

The history of ancient Israel from the Patriarchs through the Romans. Topics include historical, archeological, political, social, cultural, religious, diplomatic, military, economic, and intellectual events, movements, and relationships. Same as HIST 2804.

CLAS 3099. Variable Topics. 1-12 Credits.

CLAS 3104. Dead Sea Scrolls. 3 Credits.

Manuscript discoveries and excavations at Khirbet Qumran with some attention to additional sites in the region of the Dead Sea. Focus on the history and diversity of Second Temple Judaism, Second Temple hermeneutical methods, Jewish apocalypticism, Jewish messianism, the development of the canon, and textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible.

CLAS 3105. Topics in Classical Studies. 3 Credits.

CLAS 3107. Law and Diplomacy in the Ancient Near East and Mediterranean. 3 Credits.

Focus on texts from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, Israel and Judah, and the Hittites, as well as Moab and Ammon. Readings from primary sources translated into English as well as secondary literature.

CLAS 3111. Topics in Ancient History. 3 Credits.

May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Same as HIST 3111.

CLAS 3112. Art and Archaeology of Pompeii. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the Roman world and Roman daily life through study of evidence found in the exceptionally well-preserved ancient town of Pompeii.

CLAS 3113. Greece and Rome in the Art and Architecture of Washington D.C.. 3 Credits.

The influences of Classical Greek and Roman architecture, design, and symbols on urban design, public architecture, and civic sculpture in late eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth century Washington, D.C. within their historical, political, and cultural contexts. At least one third of this course involves field trips, including walking tours and visits to monuments and museums.

CLAS 3114. Topics in Ancient Literatures and Cultures. 3 Credits.

May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs.

CLAS 3115. Topics in Ancient Art and Archaeology. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.

CLAS 3116. Identity in the Greco-Roman World. 3 Credits.

Questions of identity surrounding the Romans and non-Romans who populated the ancient Mediterranean world in classical antiquity and whose culture is considered the cornerstone of Western civilization.

CLAS 3117. Alexander the Great. 3 Credits.

Ancient primary sources reveal the complex personality and remarkable deeds of Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE); the nature of his military success, lasting effects of his conquests, and long-term impact on the varied people and lands of his empire. Prerequisites: AH 3101 or HIST 2112.

CLAS 3119. The Ancient Economy. 3 Credits.

This course introduces students to the sources and approaches to the study of the economic history of ancient Greece and Rome. Key issues that we will explore in this course include the “ecologies” of the Mediterranean region, trade and transport, the invention of coinage and monetization, taxation, food production, consumption, and slavery.

CLAS 3901. Directed Project. 1-3 Credits.

Individual advanced reading or research, to be arranged with a member of the faculty. May be repeated for credit. Permission of the instructor and the department required prior to enrollment.

CLAS 3901W. Directed Project. 1-3 Credits.

CLAS 4111. Capstone Study. 3 Credits.

The capstone study seminar enables junior or senior majors to design, in consultation with a Classical Studies faculty member, a culminating project aligned with their interests, previous curricular experience, and/or future goals. The results of a student’s capstone study is submitted as a written report and shared with all Classical Studies majors in a presentation that might include written, oral, and/or digital formats. Capstone studies should demonstrate that a student can locate and evaluate information about the ancient world in both traditional and digital forms and present their findings clearly and logically. Restricted to juniors or seniors in the classical studies program.

CLAS 4901. Directed Project. 1-3 Credits.

Continuation of CLAS 3901. Individual advanced reading or research, to be arranged with a member of the faculty. May be repeated for credit. Permission of the instructor and the department required prior to enrollment.

CLAS 5099. Variable Topics. 1-99 Credits.