Courses

The Department of Classical Studies offers a major and a minor. Competence in Greek or Latin is required for the major. Familiarity is recommended but not required for the minor. Through both the major and the minor, the department aims to develop in the student an appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of classical literature and a comprehension of the abiding principles of the Western heritage. The department is also interested in students who wish to relate Classics to work in wide array of other disciplines such as English, philosophy, religion, political science, history, or modern languages.

Students may receive credit towards the major or minor for courses in Latin or Greek taken before enrolling at Butler. A student who places at the 300 level and takes two 300 level courses with a grade of C or above will receive 9 credits. A student who places into 204 and takes one 200 level and two 300 level course with a grade of C or above will receive 6 credits. A student who places into 203 and takes two 200 level courses and two 300 level courses with a grade of C or above will receive 3 credits. Students who take the AP Latin test may also receive 3 credit hours for a 200 level course.

Requirements for the major:

A minimum of 30 hours combined of CL, GK, and/or LT. A minimum of three 300 level courses in any section, including at least one 300-level course in GK or LT. Students may test out of the 200-level courses in GK or LT.

Requirements for the minor:

A minimum of 18 hours combined of CL, GK, and/or LT. A minimum of two 300-level courses all together. Note: It is recommended that students learn either Greek or Latin, at least at the beginning level. If they continue with two courses at the 200-level or above, these courses will count both towards their minor and towards fulfilling the foreign language requirement for a liberal arts degree.

Foreign Language Courses

GK 101, 102. Elementary Ancient Greek I, II: Introductory course which prepares students to read the works of Homer, Sophocles, Plato and others as well as the New Testament. (U) (4, 4)
GK 203, 204. Intermediate Ancient Greek I, II: A course at the intermediate level, with emphasis on vocabulary acquisition. Material will be chosen for accessibility. Readings may include: Euripides’ Alcestis, Plato’s Crito, selections from Homer’s Iliad or Herodotus’ History or Lysias’ speeches, or selections from the New Testament in Koine Greek. Prerequisite: GK 101 and 102 or placement at the 200 level. (U) (3, 3)
GK 301. Advanced Ancient Greek: A course at the advanced level, with a vocabulary stretch and arcane points of grammar. Readings may include: tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, or Euripides; Plato’s Apology, Symposium, Phaedrus, or selections from the Republic; Thucydides Peloponnesian War. Prerequisite: GK 201 or 202 or permission of instructor. (U)(3)
GK 360. Topics in Ancient Greek: In-depth study of works not covered in earlier courses. Prerequisite: GK 301 or 302 or permission of instructor. (U) (3)
GK 499. Honors Thesis: Thesis subject may be taken from either Greek or Latin. (U) (3)
LT 101, 102. Elementary Latin I, II: Introductory course which prepares students to read the Latin prose and poetry of Virgil, Cicero, Ovid, Livy, and others. (U) (4, 4)
LT 203, 204. Intermediate Latin I, II: A course at the intermediate level, with emphasis on vocabulary acquisition. Material will be chosen for accessibility. Readings may include: Cicero’s orations, Virgil’s Aeneid, Pliny’s Letters. Prerequisite: LT 101 and 102 or placement at the 200 level. (U) (3, 3)
LT 301. Advanced Latin: A course at the advanced level with a vocabulary stretch and arcane points of grammar. Readings may include: Ovid’s Metamorphoses, lyric poetry by Catullus, Propertius, Tibullus and Ovid, satire b Horace or Juvenal, the comedies of Plautus and Terence. Prerequisite: LT 201 and 202 or permission of the instructor. (U) (3)
LT 360. Topics in Latin: In-depth study of works not covered in earlier courses. Prerequisite: LT 301 or 302 or permission of instructor. (U) (3)
LT 400, 401, 402. Independent Study: Directed reading in Latin. Consult head of department before registering. (U/G) (1, 2, 3)

Culture Courses

(Classical topics, taught in the English language.)

CLA 211. Greek Civilization

A study of Greek civilization, concentrating on important facets of literature, history, government, philosophy, art, and archaeology. (U) (3)

CLA 222. Roman Civilization

A study of Roman civilization, concentrating on important facets of literature, history, government, philosophy, art and archaeology. (U) (3)

CLA 233. Classical Mythology

A general introduction to the mythology of Greece and Rome. A study of the Greek interpretation of the origin of the universe, relation of gods to humankind, and legendary history such as the Trojan War. (U) (3)

CLA 255. Greek Art and Myth

A study of Greek art and myth intertwined. The mythological background will add depth to the understanding of the art, and the art will be seen as embodying and illuminating the myths. (U) (3)

CLA 261. Etymology

Word Power for Test Takers. Course will focus on the Greek and Latin roots that are the basis for much of the scientific, technical and professional communities. Recommended for students intending to take the MCAT, LSAT, GRE and GMAT. (U) (3)

CLA 301. Epic Poetry

An in-depth study of the ancient epic. Course will focus on Homer’s Iliad, Homer’s Odyssey, or Virgil’s Aeneid. Other material will be brought in as background. (U) (3)

CLA 302. Lyric Poetry / Love Poetry

An in-depth study of ancient love poetry. Course will focus on love poetry in Greek and Latin. Other ancient love poetry (Hebrew, Sanskrit, Chinese) may be included. (U) (3)

CLA 303. Drama on the Ancient Stage

Course may focus on Greek or Roman tragedy or comedy. Performance may be part of the course. (U) (3)

CLA 360. Topics in Classics

A number of courses on various topics in the Classics. (U) (3)

Topics Include:

Ancient History: Course may focus on Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, and/or Tacitus.
History of Ancient Philosophy: A study of important figures of ancient philosophy, with particular emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. Prerequisite: one philosophy course or permission of instructor.
Topics in Ancient Rhetoric: Offers general and specialized study of the history, criticism, theory, literature and application of the rhetorical arts.
Art and Architecture of the Greeks and Romans
Sex, Gender, Love & Friendship in the Classical World: Examines classical Mediterranean culture from the inside out. Course focuses upon dimensions of private life and interplay between private and public worlds. Discussion /seminar format.
Paul and the Early Church: The New Tstament Epistles: Focus on the New Testament letters, especially of Paul, with attention to the emergence and growth of the Christian movement in the Graeco-Roman world from the death of Jesus to the middle of the second century. Prerequisite: One religion course or sophomore standing.
Ancient and Medieval Political Thought: This course examines the foundation of Western political thought and considers the ways in which the successors of a tradition simultaneously criticize and incorporate the work of their predecessors as they seek to construct new theories of politics. Prerequisite: PO 101, PO 210 or permission of instructor.
Women in Antiquity: We will examine current gender issues and search for their roots in antiquity, particularly in the near East and Greece.