Classical Civilization Courses
The period our courses cover extends from the Bronze Age into Late Antiquity (ca. 16th c. BCE – 6th c. CE). During this time, numerous civilizations emerged and developed among a network of cultures in the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, producing art, literature, architecture, and more that have influenced world culture ever since. What can the texts and material culture of those times tell us about what people thought? What they believed? How they lived? What can they tell us about ourselves? Classical Civilization courses explore those questions.
Many of our Classical Civilization courses (CLCV) do not have prerequisites and are open to everyone. Check the Dynamic Schedule to see which courses will be taught next semester.
There are two levels of courses, lower level (100-299) and upper level (300-499). Lower-level courses assume little or no previous coursework in the subject and are often introductory in their scope. Upper level courses deal with particular periods, materials or topics in greater depth. Most 300-499 level classes are open to all students, although some assume prior coursework. Check the listing on the Dynamic Schedule for any pre-requisites.
We offer several types of classes: lecture classes, topics classes, and smaller seminars.
- Lecture classes generally enroll between thirty-five and fifty students. These classes are primarily offered with a lecture format and cover a broad period, type of material evidence, and so on. Examples include CLCV 207, 208, 217, 218, 227, and 228.
- Topics courses enroll twenty-five students and comprise most of the 300-400 level offerings in the Department; they generally involve a deeper investigation of a more narrowly-defined topic treating ancient literature in translation, material culture, or ancient history. Examples include CLCV 319, 329, 342, 352.
- Seminars are designed to elicit discussion among students and their instructor, and hence their enrollments generally are restricted to fifteen to twenty students. Seminars are offered at the lower and upper levels and include 150s, some 400-level topics courses (such as CLCV 431, 432, 433), and the capstone seminars (CLCV 400, 401).
Topics courses and seminars in any given academic year are listed in detail in the online class schedule, and students should plan ahead if they are especially interested in a particular field or period.
What to Expect
What type of readings are involved in first-and-second-year courses? (e.g. articles, textbook) How much reading should a student expect to do per week?
Students in CLCV 200 classes read primary sources in translation, textbook treatments, and accessible scholarly articles. Readings range because of the nature of the material, but rarely are more than 30 pages or one textbook chapter per class session.
What sorts of assignments should a student expect in first-and-second-year courses? (e.g. quizzes, group projects, presentations)
Assignments include exams and short writing assignments like responses and reflections.
Beyond the required course texts, are there other course materials a student should be prepared to purchase for first-and-second-year courses?
All textbooks are also accessible online or via Swem. Beyond these, we require students to purchase few materials and use open access or Fair Use materials as readings.