Classical Studies courses – CLAS
Knowledge of Greek and Latin is NOT required for these courses, and students majoring in other fields are encouraged to enroll.
Current course offerings can be found in the Schedule of Classes.
CLAS 1000 The Ancient Near East and Greece (3)
Prof. Harl. In the light of the growth of civilization in the Near East, this survey course covers Greek political, intellectual, and cultural developments to 323 B.C.E. Emphasis is given to the archaic and classical periods of Greece. Same as HISA 1000.
CLAS 1010 The Rise of Rome (3)
Prof. Frazel, Prof. Kehoe, Prof. Poe. Not open to senior history majors. This survey devotes itself to the emergence of Hellenistic civilization and the growth of Roman power in the Mediterranean. Special attention is given to the Hellenistic impact upon Rome, the evolution of Roman institutions, and the transition from republic to empire. Same as HISA 1010.
CLAS 1040 Mythology (3)
Prof. Frazel, Prof. George, Prof. Poe. A study of the origins of Greek mythology and the importance of myth for Greek and Roman culture.
CLAS 2010 History of Ancient Philosophy (3)
Prof. Burger. A study of ancient Greek philosophy, focusing on the thought of the Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. Same as PHIL 2010.
CLAS 2110 Classics of Political Philosophy I (3)
Prof. Burger. This course is devoted to a study of classical works of political philosophy in the Western tradition, primarily Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics. Same as PHIL 2110.
CLAS 2200 New Testament: An Historical Introduction (3)
Staff. This course is a literary and historical introduction to the canonical New Testament. It will engage issues of authorship, dating, theology, genre, and special problems related to the "scientific" (or scholarly) study of the New Testament. There will be some engagement with literature outside of the canonical New Testament but only as it relates to special issues and topics in New Testament interpretation.
CLAS 2320 Greek Temples and Festivals (3)
Prof. Butler. In this course we will look at ancient Greek religious behavior and what it can tell us about Greek society when studied in its historical context. Topics include mythology and the gods, sanctuaries, temples, and offerings, ritual and cult activities, festivals, civic religion, and belief and the individual. Same as HISA 2320.
CLAS 2810 Special Topics (3)
Staff. Topics are at an introductory level appropriate for first-year students and sophomores. Subject areas will be interdisciplinary and combine material from such fields as ancient literature, cultural studies, archaeology, religion, and history.
CLAS 3020 The High Roman Empire (3)
Prof. Harl, Prof. Kehoe. This course introduces the institutional, social, and cultural changes of the empire from Augustus to Diocletian. Emphasis is placed upon the birth of imperial administration, cultural change and continuity, and the rise of Christianity. Same as HISA 3020.
CLAS 3060 Greek Tragedy and Comedy (3)
Prof. Poe. Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes read in the light of Aristotle’s Poetics and of modern criticism.
CLAS 3070 Plato (3)
Prof. Burger. Prerequisite: CLAS 201 or approval of instructor. An in-depth reading of one or more of the Platonic dialogues. Same as PHIL 3200.
CLAS 3090 Law and Society in Ancient Rome (3)
Prof. Kehoe. This course investigates the social and cultural values of the Roman world by studying Roman private law. The course also examines the development of Roman courts in the empire and the influence of Roman law on modern legal systems. Same as HISA 3040.
CLAS 3100 Select Topics in Greek History (4)
Prof. Harl. Readings and discussion of select topics in classical Greek history: Homer and the Trojan War; Athenian Empire (480-404 B.C.E.); Sparta and Macedon in the Age of Hegemonies (404-323 B.C.E.); or Greek Leagues and Macedonian Kings in the Hellenistic World (323-133 B.C.E.). Same as HISA 3100.
CLAS 3110 Select Topics in Roman History (4)
Prof. Harl. Readings and discussion of select topics in Roman history: The Making of Roman Italy (509-264 B.C.E.); The Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.E.); Roman Revolution (133-27 B.C.E.); or Rome and the Jews (167 B.C.E.- 135 C.E.). Same as HISA 3110.
CLAS 3120 Etruscans and Early Rome (3)
Prof. Lusnia. A survey of the cultures of pre-Roman Italy from the Bronze Age to the fall of Veii. The course focuses on the material cultures of Etruscan and Latin Settlements from ca. 900 to 300 B.C.E. Topics include: Etruscan language, economy and trade, sculpture, painting, and Etruscan religion, as well as major social and historical developments in Etruria, Latium, and archaic Rome. Same as ARHS 3120 and HISA 3120.
CLAS 3150 Second Temple Judaisms (3)
Staff. Starting with the Return from Babylonia up until the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E., Judaism was transformed from a local ethnic religious cult to a broad-based, diverse, and often fragmented sectarian religion. Many outside cultures and civilizations, from the ancient Persians to the Imperial Romans, influenced the Jews and Judaism through language, culture, and political contacts. We will study these cultural contacts and conflicts that caused Jews in the Second Commonwealth to develop competing understandings of Judaism. Same as JWST 3150.
CLAS 3160 The Aegean Bronze Age (3)
Prof. Carter. The cultures of the Cycladic Islands, Crete, and the Greek mainland during the Bronze Age (ca. 3200-1150 B.C.E.). Emphasis is on the major and minor arts of the Minoans and Mycenaeans and how this material can be used to reconstruct the societies, cultures, and religions of the Aegean Bronze Age. Same as ARHS 3160 and HISA 3160.
CLAS 3170 Greek Art and Archaeology (3)
Prof. Carter. Greek arts (architecture, sculpture, and painting) and material culture in the light of social, intellectual, and historical developments from the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 1200 B.C.E.) to the end of the Hellenistic period (31 B.C.E.). Same as ARHS 3170.
CLAS 3180 Roman Art and Archaeology (3)
Prof. Lusnia. Architecture, sculpture, and painting in Rome and the Roman Empire, their sources, and their history from the Etruscan period through the 4th century C.E. Same as ARHS 3180.
CLAS 3190 Pompeii: Life in a Roman Town (3)
Prof. Lusnia. A survey of Roman culture through the study of the town destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E. The focus is on the society, politics, religion, domestic life, entertainment, economy, and art of Pompeii and the surrounding region in the early imperial period. Same as ARHS 3190 and HISA 3190.
CLAS 3200 Greek Religion (3)
Staff. This course examines Greek religion in its social and historical context, utilizing an interdisciplinary approach incorporating archaeological, artistic, literary, and epigraphic evidence. The course begins with a survey of the major concepts connected with Greek religion, including the types of beings offered worship, the delineation of sacred space, and the forms of ritual. Emphasis is placed on the social and political function of ritual, that is, on ritual as the enacted representation of cultural values and social roles. The second section of the course investigates the major Greek divinities, their iconography, mythology, and cult. The course concludes with a study of the phenomenon of mystery cults, surveying the forms of these cults in the Greek world and discussing their continuation under the Romans. Same as HISA 3180.
CLAS 3230 Ancient Christianity (3)
Staff. This course is designed to introduce students to the history of the Ancient Christian movement within the Roman Empire. It illustrates the historical developments through the discussion of the use of the scripture, the production of new literature and emergence of the canon of the New Testament writings from the second through the fourth centuries.
CLAS 3240 The Historical Jesus (3)
Staff. This course is an examination of the modern quest for the earthly Jesus behind the veil of ecclesiastical doctrines and dogmas. This examination utilizes modern methods of literary, historical, and hermeneutical criticism to sift through layers of traditions and interpretations. It will involve reading ancient as well as modern interpretations of the life of Jesus. It will explore the Old Quest as well as the recently revived New Quest for the historical Jesus.
CLAS 3250 Paul the Apostle (3)
Staff. The historical, literary, exegetical, and ideological investigation into the life and thought (theology) of the Apostle Paul. It will investigate the “historical” Paul and the Paul of legend and ecclesiastical tradition. This course will also explore the phenomenon of Paulinism and the importance of the appropriation of the Pauline tradition for orthodox and heretical movements.
CLAS 3290 Gnosticism and Early Egyptian Christianity (3)
Staff. This course traces the history and development of Gnosticism in its pre-Christian forms in Egypt and in Jewish wisdom traditions to its Valentinian Christian manifestations. The largest “heretical” movement in early Christianity was the greatest challenge the early church experienced.
CLAS 3310 Ancient Greek Tyranny and Democracy (3)
Prof. Butler. This course examines the origins and characteristics of basic Greek forms of government in their historical context, concentrating on tyranny and democracy in the archaic and classical periods. The course stresses the development of Greek political institutions and political thought. Same as HISA 3080.
CLAS 3320 The Greek Way of Death (3)
Prof. Butler. Death-ritual was an important social institution in ancient Greece. Through their funerals and tombs, the ancient Greeks negotiated social relationships and political ideologies, celebrated the state and the legacies of individuals, and grappled with the uncertainties and fragility of life. In this course we will look at textual and archaeological evidence from the ancient Greek world as we explore attitudes toward life and death and how important customs, rituals, and traditions function in society.
CLAS 3510 The Ancient Novel (3)
Prof. Frazel. We are all familiar today with the literary form called the novel: a lengthy fictional narrative in prose. It was ancient Greek and Latin authors, however, who first created this form. Many of these works survive and they always intrigue and delight readers with their highly sophisticated plotting of love affairs, comical depictions of pirates, and teasing explorations of sexuality. We will closely read, in English translation, the major ancient novels and some of their literary predecessors in order to understand the originality of the form and content of the novels. The class concludes with a consideration of the ancient novel’s contribution to the development of fiction in the West.
CLAS 3610 Sex and Gender in Antiquity (3)
Prof. George. Through readings and discussions of primary sources (literature, legal texts, medical texts, inscriptions, art) and recent scholarship, we will explore the ideals and reality of gender roles and sexuality within the historical context of ancient Greece and Rome. Topics will include the history of sexuality, laws pertaining to gender roles, homosexuality, bisexuality, sexual practices, representations of gender and sex in literature and art, family, biology and attitudes about gender and sex. Same as HISA 3610.
CLAS 3810 Special Topics (1-3)
Staff. Topics will focus on particular areas and issues in the fields of ancient culture, religion, and history.
CLAS 3880 Writing Practicum (1)
Staff. Corequisite: three-credit departmental course. Prerequisite: successful completion of the First-Year Writing Requirement. Fulfills the school intensive-writing requirement.
CLAS H4000 Colloquium in Ancient History (4)
Prof. Harl. Interdisciplinary seminar compares classical civilization of Greece or Rome with contemporary civilization of Near East, Central Asia, and East Asia. Stress is on political and military contact, cultural exchange, and comparison of institutions. Topics include The Birth of City-States in the Mediterranean and Near East (1000-500 B.C.E.); Greeks, Macedonians, and Persians: Birth of the Hellenistic World (600-250 B.C.E.); The Greeks in Iran and India (500 B.C.E.- 200 C.E.); or Imperial Rome and Imperial China (200 B.C.E.- 200 C.E.). Fulfills the school intensive-writing requirement. Same as HISA H4000.
CLAS H4010 Colloquium in Late Antiquity (4)
Prof. Harl. Interdisciplinary seminar on the transformation of classical civilization into the institutions and values of early Medieval and Byzantine societies. Topics include Rome and the Northern Barbarians (100 B.C.- A.D. 700); Rome and Iran (100 B.C.- A.D. 650); The Conflict of Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire (A.D. 30-565); or the Great Transformation of Society and Economy (A.D. 100-1100). Fulfills the school intensive-writing requirement. Same as HISA H4010.
CLAS 4060 Classical Epic (3)
Prof. Frazel. Homer, Apollonius of Rhodes, Virgil, and Lucan, with selected prose belonging to the heroic tradition. A comparison with primitive epics of other cultures and with later literary epics.
CLAS 4080 Seminar in Ancient Society and Economy (3)
Prof. Kehoe. Topics include: The Family in Ancient Rome; Roman Imperial Society and Economy; Greeks, Romans, Barbarians. Same as HISA 4080.
CLAS 4130 Egypt Under the Pharaohs (3)
Prof. Carter. The culture of ancient Egypt from the pre-dynastic period through the end of the New Kingdom. The course emphasizes the sculpture, architecture, and painting of the pharaonic periods. Other areas covered are: Egyptian literary and historical documents, Egyptian religion, and major social developments. Same as ARHS 3130 and HISA 4130.
CLAS 4190 Seminar in Aegean and Greek Archaeology (3)
Prof. Carter. Topics include: Problems in Aegean Archaeology; Major Monuments in Greek Sculpture; Greek Vase-Painting; The Athenian Acropolis. Same as CLAS 6190.
CLAS 4200 Seminar in Roman Art and Archaeology (3)
Prof. Lusnia. Topics include: Ancient Painting and Mosaics; Building the City of Rome; Roman Sculpture in Context (when linked with CLAS 5110 as a co-requisite, this topic satisfies the capstone requirement). Same as CLAS 6200.
CLAS 4250 The Dead Sea Scrolls (3)
Staff. Prerequisites: JWST 2100 and JWST 3150 or approval of instructor. It has been just over 50 years since a group of Bedouin shepherds found several clay jars containing ancient scrolls. The documents include copies of the Hebrew Bible, apocryphal works, and sectarian works written to provide order and meaning to the readers’ lives. But who wrote the scrolls and who were they writing for? This course will investigate these questions and others by focusing on the texts themselves and the archaeological evidence from the site of Khirbet Qumran. Secondary sources will also be consulted and read critically. Same as JWST 4250.
CLAS 4300 The Literature of Early Christianity (3)
Staff. This is an introductory course to the literature of early Christianity from the first through the third centuries. The purpose of this course is two-fold: to introduce students to examples of early Christian literature outside of the New Testament canon, and to examine and recognize the variety of early Christianity reflected in these writings. While an introductory course to the New Testament and/or to early Christian history is helpful, it is not necessary.
CLAS 4320 War and Power in Ancient Greece (3)
Prof. Butler. In this course we will look at ancient Greek warfare and state formation, including how states developed and changed, how and why the ancient Greeks interacted and fought with each other and with outsiders, and what were the immediate outcomes and long-term consequences of endogenous and exogenous power struggles. Students will gain an understanding of the particular roles played by factors such as geography, military innovations, socio-political institutions, individual leaders, ideological shifts, and specific series of decisions and events. Prerequisite: CLAS 3310 or HISA 3080. Same as HISA 6020.
CLAS 4810 Special Topics (3)
Staff. Topics will focus on particular areas and issues in the field of ancient culture, religion, and history.
CLAS 4880 Writing Practicum (1)
Staff. Corequisite: three-credit departmental course. Prerequisite: successful completion of the First-Year Writing Requirement. Fulfills the school intensive-writing requirement.
CLAS 4900 Senior Capstone in Greek and Roman Culture (4)
Staff. Offered every fall semester. A seminar on a broad topic in Greek and/or Roman culture. This course fulfills the Newcomb-Tulane capstone requirement and is also open to non-majors with the permission of the instructor. It may be taken again with a different topic. The course fulfills the writing-intensive requirement for the School of Liberal Arts. Topics include: Civic Ideals in the Greek and Roman Worlds, The Age of Pericles, and The World of Augustus.
CLAS H4910, H4920 Independent Studies (3, 3)
Staff. Open to superior students provided approval of department is granted and an appropriate faculty director is available.
CLAS H4990-H5000 Honors Thesis (3, 4)
Admission by approval of department and Honors Committee.
CLAS 6000 Seminar in Select Topics in Greek History (4)
Prof. Harl. Research seminar on select topics in Greek history: Archaic Greece (750-480 B.C.E.); Athenian Constitutional History; or Alexander the Great. Same as HISA 6000.
CLAS 6010 Seminar in Select Topics in Roman History (4)
Prof. Harl. Roman Imperialism and Transmarine Expansion (264-50 B.C.E.); Roman Principate; Roman Provinces; Roman Imperial Army; or Later Roman Empire. Same as HISA 6010.
CLAS 6080 Seminar in Ancient Society and Economy (3)
See CLAS 4080 for course description. Same as HISA 6080.
CLAS 6090 Seminar in Select Topics in Byzantine History (4)
Prof. Harl. Research seminar on select topics in Byzantine history: The Age of Justinian (518-565); The Byzantine Dark Age (610-1025); The Iconoclastic Controversy; or Byzantium and the Crusades (1025-1204). Same as HISA 6090.
CLAS 6190 Seminar in Aegean and Greek Archaeology (3)
See CLAS 4190 for description. Same as ARHS 6190.
CLAS 6200 Seminar in Roman Art and Archaeology (3)
See CLAS 4200 for description. Same as ARHS 6200.
CLAS 6320 War and Power in Ancient Greece (3)
See CLAS 4320 for description. Prerequisite for undergraduates: CLAS 3310 or HISA 3080. Same as HISA 6320.
CLAS 6810 Special Topics (3)
Staff. Topics will focus on particular areas and issues in the fields of ancient culture, religion, and history.
