Classical Studies
Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program
The Classical Studies program is a cross-disciplinary program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences which offers an integrated curriculum of courses in the languages, literatures, history, and thought of ancient Greece and Rome from prehistoric times to the reign of the Emperor Constantine. Complete and current information about the Program may be found on-line at: www.iastate.edu/~classics/
Courses in Classical Studies provide background for students whose major fields of study or career interests include Anthropology, English, World Languages and Cultures, History, Music, Philosophy, Women’s Studies, law, medicine, material culture, political science, the life sciences and related fields. Students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary major in Classical Studies should consult the Program Chair.
A student who wishes to declare a minor must successfully complete the following requirements:
| a) One of the following sequences in ancient language: | 6 | |
| Elementary Ancient Greek I and Elementary Ancient Greek II | ||
| Elementary Latin I and Elementary Latin II | ||
| b) And one of the following courses: | ||
| CL ST 201 | Technical Terminologies in the Professions | 3 |
| CL ST 273 | Greek and Roman Mythology | 3 |
| or CL ST 275 | The Ancient City | |
| c) Or one of the following: | 6 | |
| CL ST 201 | Technical Terminologies in the Professions | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Elementary Latin I | ||
| or GREEK 101 | Elementary Ancient Greek I | |
Three additional courses (nine credits) from the courses listed below (primary or departmental), or as approved by the program committee.
Courses primarily for undergraduate students
CL ST 201. Technical Terminologies in the Professions.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Essential vocabulary and concepts in English that are derived from Latin and Ancient Greek. Formation and usage of technical terminology. Cultural influence of the classical languages. Analysis of technical writing.
CL ST 273. Greek and Roman Mythology.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.SS.
Survey of the legends, myths of the classical world with emphasis on the principal gods, and heroes, and their relation to ancient social, psychological, and religious practices; some attention may be given to important modern theories.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
H. Honors (4-0) Cr. 4.
CL ST 275. The Ancient City.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Examination of ancient urban life, including historical context, physical space, material culture, religion, literature, and art; examination of civic identity (the "polis"). Contrast between the concepts of urban and rural. Examples drawn from specific ancient cities; some attention to modern methods of recovering the conditions of ancient urban life and the fundamental concept of the city in European history.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
H. Honors. (4-0) Cr. 4.
CL ST 304. Cultural Heritage of the Ancient World.
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Sophomore classification
Historical examination of art, literature, thought, and religious beliefs of major civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean countries until the end of the 8th century.
CL ST 310. Ancient Philosophy.
(Cross-listed with PHIL). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: PHIL 201
Survey of ancient Greek philosophy, focusing on the pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. Questions concerning being, knowledge, language, and the good life are treated in depth.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
CL ST 350. Rhetorical Traditions.
(Cross-listed with ENGL, SP CM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: ENGL 250
Ideas about the relationship between rhetoric and society in contemporary and historical contexts. An exploration of classical and contemporary rhetorical theories in relation to selected topics that may include politics, gender, race, ethics, education, science, or technology.
CL ST 353. World Literature: Western Foundations through Renaissance.
(Cross-listed with ENGL). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Prereq: ENGL 250
Representative works from the drama, epics, poetry, and prose of the Ancient World through the late sixteenth century. May include Homer, Aeschylus, Sappho, Catullus, Dante, Marie de France, Boccaccio, Christine de Pizan, Cervantes, and others.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
CL ST 367. Christianity in the Roman Empire.
(Cross-listed with RELIG). (3-0) Cr. 3.
An historical introduction to the rise of Christianity in the Roman empire, with special attention to the impact of Greco-Roman culture on the thought and practice of Christians and the interaction of early Christians with their contemporaries.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
CL ST 372. Greek and Roman Tragedy and Comedy.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: 273 or 275 or one course in Latin or Greek or English 250
Greek and Roman drama from the beginnings until today. Readings in English from authors such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence, Seneca. Course may cover performance, theories of comedy and tragedy, recent and current expressions of the comic and tragic in film and other media.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
H. Honors (4-0) Cr. 4.
CL ST 373. Heroes of Greece, Rome, and Today..
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: 273 or 275 or one course in Latin or Greek or English 250.
Cultural and political significance of ancient epic, especially in Greece and Rome. Course may include study of the heroic code in antiquity and its modern expressions including in film. Readings in English from authors such as Homer and Vergil.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
H. Honors (4-0) Cr. 4.
CL ST 374. Women and Men in the Ancient Mediterranean World.
(Cross-listed with HIST, W S). (3-0) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: Any one course in Cl St, W S, Latin, or Greek
Chronological and topical survey of the status of women and men, focusing on sex/gender issues in the Ancient Mediterranean world; study of constructs of the female and the feminine. Readings from ancient and modern sources. Emphasis on ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
CL ST 376. Classical Archaeology.
(Cross-listed with ANTHR, RELIG). (3-0) Cr. 3.
S.
Chronological survey of the material culture of the ancient Greece-Roman world and the role of archaeological context in understanding the varied aspects of ancient Greek or Roman culture. Among other topics, economy, architecture, arts and crafts, trade and exchange, religion and burial customs will be explored.
A. Bronze Age (Minoan and Mycenaean palatial cultures) and Early Iron Age Greece. (ca 3000-700 BCE).
B. Archaic through Hellenistic Greece (ca 700-30 BCE).
CL ST 383. Greek and Roman Art.
(Cross-listed with ART H, DSN S). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Greek art from Neolithic through Hellenistic periods. Roman art from the traditional founding to t he end of the empire in the West.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
H. Honors (3-4 cr.)
CL ST 394. The Archaeology of Greece: An Introduction.
(2-0) Cr. 2.
S.
Introduction to the topography, history, archaeology, monuments and art of Greece from the Bronze Age through the Ottoman period; attention given to the culture of modern Greece, preparatory to study abroad in Greece (CL ST 395).
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
CL ST 395. Study Abroad: The Archaeology of Greece.
Cr. 2-6.
SS.
Prereq: 394
Supervised on-site instruction in the archaeology, monuments, and art of Greece from the Bronze Age through the Ottoman period; attention given to the culture of modern Greece.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
CL ST 402. Greek Civilization..
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Sophomore classification
Ancient Greece from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period; evolution of the Greek polis and its cultural contributions with a particular emphasis on the writings of Herodotus and Thucydides.
CL ST 403. Roman Civilization..
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Sophomore classification
Ancient Rome from the Regal Period to the Fall of the Western Empire; evolution of Roman institutions and Rome's cultural contributions studied through original sources.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
CL ST 404. Roman Social History..
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Sophomore classification
Examines major topics in Roman social history during the late Republic and early Empire such as class, family, slavery, religion and the economy.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
CL ST 430. Western Political Thought: Plato to Machiavelli.
(Cross-listed with POL S). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 6 credits in political science, philosophy, or European history
Major concepts in original texts of classical, medieval, and renaissance authors: justice, community, man's basic nature; natural law; force; society outside the political order.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
CL ST 480. Seminar in Classical Studies.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 30 credits in Classical Studies or related courses, permission of Program Chair
Advanced study of a selected topic in Classical Studies. Research paper or project selected by the student.
CL ST 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-6.
Repeatable.
Prereq: 7 credits in classical studies at the 200 level or higher; permission of the Program Chair
Designed to meet the needs of students who wish to study specific topics in classical civilization in areas where courses are not offered, or to pursue such study beyond the limits of existing courses.
Courses for graduate students, major or minor, open to qualified undergraduates
CL ST 512A. Proseminar in Ancient European History.
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Readings in European history.
A. Ancient (Same as HIST 512A)
CL ST 594A. Seminar in Ancient European History.
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Topics vary each time offered.
A. Ancient (Same as HIST 594A)
Primary Courses (Offered by Other Departments)
GREEK 101. Elementary Ancient Greek I.
(4-0) Cr. 4.
F.
Grammar and vocabulary of ancient Greek, within the context of Greek culture; reading knowledge through texts adapted from classical authors.
GREEK 102. Elementary Ancient Greek II.
(4-0) Cr. 4.
S.
Prereq: 101
Grammar and vocabulary of ancient Greek, within the context of Greek culture; reading knowledge through texts adapted from classical and later authors.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
GREEK 201. Intermediate Classical Greek.
Cr. arr.
F.
Prereq: 102
Emphasis on grammatical principles, composition and reading classical or Hellenistic texts.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
GREEK 332. Introduction to Classical Greek Literature.
Cr. arr.
S.
Prereq: 201
Readings in ancient Greek Literature with emphasis on critical analysis of style, structure or thought.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
GREEK 441. Advanced Readings in Greek Literature.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.
Prereq: 332
Study of individual authors or genres; intensive reading in the original supplemented by modern criticism and analysis in English. Authors and genres will vary; courses may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits each.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
GREEK 442. Advanced Topics in Greek Literature.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. S.
Prereq: 332
Advanced study of authors or topics relating to Greek literature. Authors and topics will vary; courses may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits each.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
GREEK 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-6.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 6 credits in Greek and permission of department chair
Designed to meet the needs of students who seek work in areas other than those in which courses are offered, or who desire to integrate a study of literature or language with special problems in major fields.
No more than 9 credits of Greek 490 may be counted toward graduation.
HIST 280. Introduction to History of Science I.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Ideas of nature from ancient Greece to the seventeenth-century scientific revolution.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
LATIN 101. Elementary Latin I.
(4-0) Cr. 4.
F.
Grammar and vocabulary of classical Latin, within the context of Roman culture; reading knowledge through texts adapted from classical authors.
LATIN 102. Elementary Latin II.
(4-0) Cr. 4.
S.
Prereq: 101
Grammar and vocabulary of classical Latin, within the context of Roman culture; reading knowledge through texts adapted from classical authors.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
LATIN 201. Intermediate Latin.
Cr. arr.
F.
Prereq: 102
Emphasis on grammatical principles, composition and reading Latin texts.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
LATIN 332. Introduction to Latin Literature.
Cr. arr.
S.
Prereq: 201
Readings in Latin Literature with emphasis on critical analysis of style, structure or thought.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
LATIN 441. Advanced Readings in Latin Literature.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.
Prereq: 332
Study of individual authors or genres; intensive readings in the original supplemented by modern criticism and analysis in English. Authors and genres will vary; courses may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits each.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
LATIN 442. Advanced Topics in Latin Literature.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. S.
Prereq: 332
Advanced study of authors or topics relating to Latin literature. Authors and topics will vary; courses may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits each.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
LATIN 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-6.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 6 credits in Latin and permission of department chair
Designed to meet the needs of students who seek work in areas other than those in which courses are offered, or who desire to integrate a study of literature or language with special problems in major fields.
No more than 9 credits in Latin 490 may be counted toward graduation.