CLSS 460: Special Topics.
Credit Hours: (3)
Study of various aspects of ancient Greek and Roman civilization. The topic will vary each time taught. May be taken twice for credit with different topics.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course will provide the opportunity for the study of aspects of ancient Greek and Roman society not covered in existing language, literature, history, art, classics, or humanities courses at Radford University. Possible topics would include Greek and Latin epic, Greek and Latin drama, Greek and Roman historians, Greek and Latin lyric poetry, women in classical antiquity, ancient athletics, Greek and Roman private life, and the influence of the classical humanities on the formation of the American Republic.
A detailed syllabus will be approved by the department’s Curriculum Committee each time the course is taught.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This will vary with the topic. Since Classics is by nature interdisciplinary, such an approach will be used where possible. In addition to primary literary sources (in translation), evidence from art and archaeology will be studied.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
As stated previously, such a course will provide an opportunity to study aspects of classical civilization not already covered in existing courses at Radford. Many possible topics easily lend themselves to an interdisciplinary approach, so students can learn to synthesize information from various sources. They can also study the development of an idea, literary genre, or cultural institutions from an early date to a much later era. It may also be possible to trace the influence and relevance of developing ideas into more modern times, especially since western civilization has been greatly influenced by classical civilization throughout its history.
(More specific objectives can be detailed for specific topics.)
Assessment Measures
Specific measures should be suited to the topic. Research papers and analytical essay-type tests would be appropriate to any topic considered.
Other Course Information
This course will be very useful to Classical Humanities minors, Latin majors, and Latin minors; but this course should also attract students of diverse backgrounds and interests.
Approval and Subsequent Reviews
March 1998 Reviewed Salle Ann Schlueter-Gill