Classics (General)

Course summary

Students of Classical Languages aim to achieve competence in Latin or Classical Greek to experience ancient texts in the most immediate way possible. The course focuses on the reading of unadapted Latin or Classical Greek literature, but this is complemented by students’ examination of other linguistic, historical, archaeological, and art historical evidence, to better understand the classical world. Three areas of exploration ground the study of this evidence and provide a framework for students as they build their proficiency in the classical language, develop their analytical and interpretative skills, and further their understanding of the historical, cultural, political, and artistic concerns reflected in the texts they study. These areas of exploration invite students and teachers of Classical Languages to engage in a fully integrated study of language, literature, and culture, and to position themselves not as passive readers or receivers of the classical world, but rather as active participants in an ongoing classical tradition. The course aims to develop this active participation in three key ways: • asking them to consider the role they, their classmates, and teachers play in confirming, challenging, and negotiating the meaning of texts. • helping students to generate their own personal connections between the study of the classical world and their own (or other) languages, literatures, and cultures. • encouraging students to use the classical language as a medium for their own, original expression. By fully integrating the study of language, literature, and culture, and by encouraging students to see a role for themselves as users of the language, the Classical Languages course allows students to build deep, meaningful, and lifelong understandings. These not only prepare them for further study in the Classics or other areas, but also equip them with tools to lead responsible, meaningful lives beyond the confines of the classroom.