Classics

At the center of Wabash College’s curriculum since its founding, Classics is the interdisciplinary study of the history, art, archaeology, mythology, languages and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. The Classics Department offers students two approaches to the study of antiquity. First, students can study Greek and Latin language and literature. Second, students can explore Greece and Rome in non-language courses falling into the broad categories of ancient literature, ancient history, and art and archaeology.

If students wish to pursue their studies of the ancient world more deeply, they can major or minor in any of three areas: Greek, Latin, and Classical Civilization. The Classics Department encourages students interested in Greece and Rome to experience its physical remains directly through study abroad and immersion courses.

Student Learning Goals

Content: to acquire an understanding of the history, literature, and/or material culture of the ancient Greco-Roman world.

Critical thinking and research: to think critically about the sources of the ancient world and how to interpret them.

Communication skills: to write and/or speak with clarity about the ancient world.

Language skills: to read Greek and/or Latin at the appropriate level.

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Requirements for the Classical Civilization Major
Requirements for the Classical Civilization Minor

Requirements for the Classical Civilization Major

A major in Classical Civilization emphasizes the study of Greek and Roman civilizations and requires appreciably less work in language than the Greek or Latin majors. Students choosing this major might focus on Art and Archaeology, Ancient History, Greek and Roman Literature, or Philosophy.

The major will consist of at least seven credits:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
One credit in Greek or Latin at or above the 200 level		1
One credit in Classics at or above the 200 level		1
Four additional credits (Latin or Greek courses beyond 102 may count)		4
CLA-400	Senior Seminar	1
Total Credits		7

Courses in ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy, Ancient Rhetoric, Ancient Political Theory, and Ancient Religions also count toward the major.

Requirements for the Classical Civilization Minor

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Four credits from Classics ¹		4
One credit from Classics at the 200 level or above		1
Total Credits		5

¹: Greek or Latin courses at the 102 level and above also count toward the minor.

Comprehensive Examinations in the Classics Department examine students in the three areas (Classical Civilization, Greek, or Latin) in which they choose to major within the department. The examinations are made up by the department after consulting the range of courses each student presents for his major, and test both general knowledge in the area he chooses and specific knowledge over the selection of the courses he presents.

CLA-101 Classical Mythology

An introduction to the major gods and heroes of Greek and Roman antiquity. The course surveys their representation in ancient works of literature and art, as well as the major schools of interpretation of myth. Attention also to modern retellings of classical myths and to the power of these myths to create meaning. Counts toward Gender Studies.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

CLA-103 Greek Art & Archaeology

A consideration of the art and architecture of Greece from an archaeological and art historical point of view. The course will cover material from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic Age.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
Equated Courses: ART-103

CLA-104 Roman Art & Archaeology

A consideration of the origin and development of Roman art and architecture from the Etruscans to late imperial Rome.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
Equated Courses: ART-104

CLA-105 Ancient Greece

This is a survey course of Greek political, military, cultural, and literary history from the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 1100 B.C.) to the time of Alexander the Great (4th century B.C.). A thematic focus will be the origins, evolution, and problems of the most important Greek political-social-cultural structure, the polis, or "city-state.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HIS-211

CLA-106 Ancient Rome

This is a survey course of Roman political, military, cultural, and literary history from the Etruscan period (6th and 5th centuries B.C.) to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. A thematic focus will be on the origins, nature, effects, and evolution of imperialism in Roman politics, culture, and society.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HIS-212

CLA-111 Special Topics in Literature and Culture

This is an introductory course that focuses on a specific topic in ancient literature or culture and requires no previous work. Course may be repeated as topic changes.Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

CLA-112 Special Topics in Art and Archaeology

This is an introductory course that focuses on a specific topic in ancient art or archaeology and requires no previous work. Course may be repeated for credit as topic changes.Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion, Literature/Fine Arts

CLA-113 Special Topics in Ancient History

This is an introductory course that focuses on a specific topic in ancient history and requires no previous work. Course may be repeated as topic changes.Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HIS-210

CLA-162 New Testament

This course is an introduction to the social-historical study of the writings that came to be the New Testament of the Christian churches. We will survey the social, political, and religious contexts of the Jewish and Greco- Roman worlds of the first century, the actions and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and the missionary activity of Paul of Tarsus. We will study most of the texts included in the New Testament, as well as other ancient Jewish and early Christian writings to learn about the development of the various beliefs and practices of these first Christian communities.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: REL-162

CLA-187 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

CLA-188 Independent Study

CLA-211 Special Topics in Literature and Culture

This is a more advanced course that focuses on a specific topic in ancient literature or culture and requires previous work. Course may be repeated as topic changes. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion

CLA-212 Special Topics in Art and Archaeology

This is a more advanced course that focuses on a specific topic in ancient art or archaeology and requires previous work. Course may be repeated as topic changes. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HIS-310

CLA-213 Special Topics in Ancient History

This is a more advanced course that focuses on a specific topic in ancient history and requires previous work. Course may be repeated as topic changes. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HIS-310

CLA-220 Classical Rhetoric

This course focuses on the origin and development of rhetoric and rhetorical theory during the classical period. The course begins in the pre disciplinary stage of Homer and the Sophists and examines such works as Homer's Iliad, Gorgias' Encomium of Helen, and Isocrates' Antidosis. The course then moves to Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus and the "disciplinizing" efforts of Aristotle (On Rhetoric). Finally, the course examines the efforts of Cicero (On Invention, Orator, and On the Orator), Quintilian (Institutes of Oratory), and Augustine (On Christian Doctrine) to reunite philosophy and rhetoric and include ethics within the realm of rhetoric. Students learn how rhetorical theories are generated out of the specific needs of particular political and social contexts. In addition, students examine the influence of literacy on human interaction and the study of rhetoric in particular. Finally, students trace the relationship between rhetoric and philosophy from pre-Platonic unity, through Plato's bifurcation, and finally to the attempts at reunification by Aristotle, Cicero, and Quintilian. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
Equated Courses: RHE-320

CLA-240 Ancient Philosophy

This course surveys the Ancient Greek philosophy, including Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle; Hellenistic philosophy may also be included. This course focuses on acquiring and improving abilities in philosophical reading, thinking, and expression. In class, the norm is close textual analysis through lectures and discussion. Topics include the nature of the physical and human world, and questions about knowledge and ultimate being. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: PHI-240

CLA-287 Independent Study

CLA-288 Independent Study

CLA-387 Independent Study

CLA-388 Independent Study

CLA-400 Senior Seminar

This is a seminar on a selected topic with a project supervised by a member of the department.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

CLA-487 Independent Study

CLA-488 Independent Study

Classics Faculty

Robert John Barnes

Matthew M Gorey

Jeremy Scott Hartnett (chair)

Theodora Kopestonsky