Course Schedule

CLAS 300 – The Classical Ideal: From Greece and Rome through the 1930s

This is a course that explores the world of ancient Athens and Rome as it was viewed and interpreted in later periods. The learning activities inspire students to critically analyze and incorporate past and current art, historical, archaeological and cultural perspectives on ancient Greek life and culture. Then we learn about how people in America in the 1930s were inspired by ancient Greece. Students are expected to apply their knowledge by analyzing movies made in this period which focus on presenting classical culture in modern guise, especially those by the only major woman director of the era: Dorothy Arzner. Next, we look at ancient Rome. Since Americans have traditionally identified more with ancient Rome, we dedicate more time to the analysis of Rome and its influence. Finally, we look at the 1930s' vogue for the symbolism of classical culture in Fascist Italy under Mussolini and in Nazi Germany under Hitler.

CLAS 340A – Introduction to Greek Art and Archaeology

This course surveys the art and archaeology of Greece from the Early Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period (ca. 3000 BC-31 BC), focusing on iconic monuments in architecture, sculpture, ceramics, and minor arts that shaped ancient Greek civilization. Monumental projects, such as temples, tombs, fortifications, as well as miniature creations in luxurious materials will be examined within their larger political, social, religious, technological, and economic contexts in Ancient Greece. Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Crete, and the Aegean are just a few of the celebrated places explored in this course.

CLAS 454 – Greek and Roman Sculpture: Symbols and Society in Antiquity

This course surveys Greek and Roman sculpture from Cycladic figurines of the 3rd millennium B.C. to Roman sculpture of ca. 300 A.D. Topics to be addressed are stylistic developments, uses of sculpture within historical settings, iconography and meaning, materials and manufacturing techniques, and sculptors and their social status. The course will also deal with modern misconceptions of the original appearance of the classical sculpture, problems of forgeries, and the impact of looting within larger discussions of cultural heritage and collecting.

CLAS 554 – Greek and Roman Sculpture: Symbols and Society in Antiquity

This course surveys Greek and Roman sculpture from Cycladic figurines of the 3rd millennium B.C. to Roman sculpture of ca. 300 A.D. Topics to be addressed are stylistic developments, uses of sculpture within historical settings, iconography and meaning, materials and manufacturing techniques, and sculptors and their social status. The course will also deal with modern misconceptions of the original appearance of the classical sculpture, problems of forgeries, and the impact of looting within larger discussions of cultural heritage and collecting.