Classical and Medieval Studies

The material on this page is from the 1995-96 catalog and may be out of date. Please check the current year's catalog for current information.

Professors Cole (History), Thompson (English), and Williamson (French); Associate Professors Allison (Religion)(on leave, fall semester and Short Term), Jones (History), Chair, and Corrie (Art); Assistant Professor O'Higgins (Classics); Mr. Hayward (Classics) and Mr. Walker (Classics)

The roots of the genius as well as the demon of modern Western civilization extend deeply into the ancient cultures of Greece, Rome, and the medieval world. Understanding of our present, informed speculation concerning the future, and comparative study of other cultures and civilizations is greatly enhanced by a study of the classical and medieval past. The traditional unit of study for these subjects is civilization as a whole, not some specialized and fragmented aspect or perspective. This requires an interdisciplinary approach involving the perspectives of history, literature, philosophy, religion, the arts, and of course Greek and Latin, the original languages of these earlier civilizations.

Major Requirements: Within this interdisciplinary major students may elect to concentrate in either classical studies or medieval studies. The major requires eleven courses (or ten courses and one Short Term unit).

An introductory course, either Classics 100 (Introduction to the Ancient World) or History 102 (Medieval Europe) as appropriate.
Four courses in Latin or four courses in Greek to be taken at Bates or through other authorized college programs.
A one-semester senior thesis, Classical and Medieval Studies 457 or 458. Thesis advisors will be chosen by the Chair of the Program in consultation with the student, according to thesis subject. Students must submit a thesis proposal to the Chair at the end of their junior year.
Five additional courses selected from the following list and drawn from at least two departments. The selection must be made in consultation with and with the approval of the Chair of the Program.
By the winter semester of their senior year, majors must satisfactorily complete a translation in either Greek or Latin. The translation examination will be offered annually. This exam, known as the Comprehensive Exam, tests competency in reading representative Greek or Latin authors. Although at least two years of course work in the relevant language is essential, students should practice for this exam on their own, or in study groups, during the year in which they plan to take it. Competency in reading at least one of the ancient languages is an essential element of the major.

In general, students in classical and medieval studies should put together their classes so as to build toward the senior-year thesis and the expertise that it requires.

Special notes for 1995-1996: 1) Mr. Allison will be on leave during fall semester 1995, and Short Term 1996; 2) Ms. O'Higgins will teach a first-year seminar in the fall semester 1995 titled "Friendship and Love in Ancient Greece and Rome"; 3) pending Faculty approval, a fifth and sixth semester of Greek (Greek 301-302) will be taught for the first time this year; 4) Mr. Cole, rather than Ms. O'Higgins, will teach Classics 100 during the fall semester 1995; 5) Mr. Allison will offer a seminar in Judaic studies during winter semester 1996.

Courses
Appropriate course offerings among the various departments will naturally vary from year to year. Scheduling is determined by individual departments. Courses in the current list requiring departmental prerequisites are marked *. From time to time a special classical and medieval studies symposium may be offered. Course descriptions are available under the various departmental listings. Courses titled as Classics, Greek, or Latin are listed under the Department of Classical and Romance Languages and Literatures.

[Anthropology 225. Gods, Heroes, Magic, and Mysteries: Religion in Ancient Greece]. (Same as Religion 225.)

Art 231. Greek and Roman Art and Architecture. W
Art 232. Pyramid and Ziggurat. F
[Art 241. The Art of Islam].
[Art 251. Age of the Cathedrals].
Art 252. Art of the Middle Ages. F
Art 265. Early Renaissance. W
Art 376. Seminar in Medieval and Renaissance Art. W
[Art s27. From Antiquity to Renaissance in Florence and Rome].

Classical and Medieval Studies 457, 458. Thesis.

Classics 100. Introduction to the Ancient World. F
Classics 200. Ancient Comedy and Satire. W
[Classics 201. Women in Antiquity].
[Classics 202. Greek Tragedy].
[Classics 305. Africa and the Classics].
Classics 360. Independent Study.
[Classics 365. Special Topics].
Classics s50. Individual Research.

English 171. European Literature: European Tradition from Homer to Cervantes. F
[English 201. Old-English Literature].
English 205. Middle-English Literature. F
English 206. Chaucer. W
[English s32. Performing Medieval Plays].
[English s33. Editing Medieval Manuscripts].

Greek 101. Elementary Ancient Greek (1). F
Greek 102. Elementary Ancient Greek (2). W
[Greek 201. Intermediate Ancient Greek (1)].
[Greek 202. Intermediate Ancient Greek (2)].
Greek 360. Independent Study.
Greek 365. Special Topics.
Greek s20. Readings in the Odyssey of Homer.
Greek s50. Individual Research.

History 102. Medieval Europe. F
[History 201. Greek Civilization].
History 202. Athenian History. W
[History 207. The Roman World and Roman Britain].
[History 390. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire].
History 390. Anglo-Saxon England. F

Latin 101. Elementary Latin (1). F
Latin 102. Elementary Latin (2). W
Latin 201. Intermediate Latin (1). F
Latin 202. Intermediate Latin (2). W
Latin 360. Independent Study.
[Latin 365. Special Topics].
Latin s21. Readings in Latin Epic.
Latin s50. Individual Research.

Medieval Studies 360. Independent Study.
Medieval Studies 365. Special Topics.
Medieval Studies s50. Individual Research.

*[Music 241. Music Literature of the Medieval and Renaissance Periods].

[Philosophy 271. Greek Philosophy].

[Religion 225. Gods, Heroes, Magic, and Mysteries: Religion in Ancient Greece]. (Same as Anthropology 225.)
[Religion 235. Ancient Israel: History, Religion, and Literature].
Religion 236. Introduction to the New Testament. W
[Religion 238. Early Jewish History and Thought].
[Religion 241. History of Christian Thought I].
[Religion 242. History of Christian Thought II].
[Religion 245. Ascetic and Monastic Christianity].
[Religion s25A. The Red-Letter Gospel].
[Religion s26. Readings in the Greek New Testament].