The Department of Classical Studies offers courses in Ancient Greek and Roman language, culture, and history. Most courses, especially those in history and civilization, have no language prerequisite.
For our full course offerings in classical civilization and languages, please see the Boston University College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin. For our full course offerings in Modern Greek, please click here.
The department does not permit individuals from outside the BU community (current faculty, staff, students) to audit (“sit in on”) courses informally. For information on auditing through Evergreen Programs, click here.
Fall 2023 Undergraduate Courses
Classical Civilization Courses
CAS CL101 Classical Civilization: World of Greece
Historical Consciousness, Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings, Critical Thinking
Why and how did ancient Greek culture produce such remarkable writers, artists, and politicians who still today expand the horizons of human possibility, educate the imagination, refine moral intelligence, and enrich the stuff of the human spirit? Studying select masterpieces of epic, history, drama, art, and philosophy we will strive to become better critics of the ancient Greeks and, through them, better critics of ourselves.
TR 9:30AM-10:45PM, plus six discussion sections Samons
CAS CL102 Classical Civilization: World of Rome
Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking
In this course, we will get to know the politicians, poets, heroes, and gods that shaped Rome’s cultural identity and left an indelible mark on Western Civilization. We will examine features of Roman daily life including: politics, religion, oratory, theater, philosophy, and even gladiators. By piecing together the literary, artistic, and archaeological evidence, we will reconstruct the World of Rome and identify key points of contact with our own culture.
MWF 1:25-2:15PM, plus six discussion sections Uden
CAS CL213 Greek and Roman Mythology
Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings, Historical Consciousness
A general introduction to myths of the ancient world and the special quality of thinking associated with myth making. The course will focus on Greek myth in particular, but from a comparative perspective, looking at the myths of many early and non-Western cultures, exploring not only shared understandings, but also what made Greek myth different. How did the distinctive way that the Greeks told their stories point the way to the habits of mind we associate with Western civilization and thought?
TR 2:00-3:15PM Golder
CAS CL224/CAS XL244 Greek Drama in Translation
Aesthetic Exploration, Ethical Reasoning, Teamwork/Collaboration
The history and development of ancient Greek theater; study of important plays in the genres of tragedy, comedy, and satyr drama by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, and Menander. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS CL 324. Meets with CAS XL244.
TR 12:30-1:45PM Ruck
CAS CL300 Age of Pericles
Ethical Reasoning, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Creativiy/Innovation
History, literature, and culture of Athens during the mid-fifth century B.C. Development of the empire, the rise of democracy, the Sophistic movement, tragedy, the construction of the Parthenon and other monuments. Readings (in translation) from Aeschylus, Sophocles, Herodotus, Thucydides, Aristophanes, and fragmentary sources.
TR 9:30-1045AM Ell
CAS CL305 Topics in Myth
Aesthetic Exploration, Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy
This course may be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Fall 2023: The Theater of Dionysus. The history and developmentof ancient Greek drama, the role of theater in the annual cycle of rituals honoring the deity Dionysus, and the study of representativeplays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides in the genres of tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays.Prerequisite courses: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g. WR 100 or WR 120)
TR 11:00-12:15PM Ruck
CAS CL310 The Classical Tradition in Classical Civilization
Aesthetic Exploration, Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation
This course explores the ways in which the theatre, myth, and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome have sparked ideas, debates,and conversations among contemporary authors and artists. Students analyze modern works of literature in different genres togetherwith the classical works that inspired them. All Greek and Latin literature is read in translation.
TR 2:00-3:15PM Kirchwey
CAS CL321 Greek History
Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking
We will examine the political, social, and economic history of Greek from the earliest historical period through the death of Alexander the Great.
TR 11:00-12:45PM Samons
Ancient Greek Courses
*May be used to fulfill the CAS Language Requirement*
CAS CL161 Ancient Greek 1 Prereq: none
Ancient Greek is the original language of European literature, history, medicine, law, and science. It continues to influence English and many other languages spoken today through terms like “democracy,” “geology,” and “megabytes.” Discover the fascinating roots of modern Western thought, literature, and society through this introduction to ancient Greek. No previous knowledge of Greek necessary.
MWF 1:25AM-2:15PM Hutcheson
CAS CL261 Ancient Greek 3: Prose
Aesthetic Exploration
Prereq: CAS CL 162 or equivalent
Reading of selections from Greek prose. Authors read may include Herodotus, Plato and Lysias, as well as selections from the New Testament.
MWF 10:10AM-11:00PM Capotos
CAS CL391/691 Greek Seminar
Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy
Prereq: CAS CL262 or equivalent
Topic for Fall 2023: Goddesses in the Homeric Hymns.This course will read the Homeric Hymns to Demeter and Aphrodite in Greek, looking at questions of mother/daughter relationships,emerging sexuality, and threats to Zeus’ rule.
TR 2:00-3:15PM Scully
Latin Courses
*May be used to fulfill the CAS Language Requirement*
CAS CL111 Latin 1 Prereq: none
The goal of first-year Latin is to provide you with an introduction to the fundamentals of Latin vocabulary, syntax, and grammar in order to prepare you for reading “real” Latin texts from antiquity. No previous knowledge of Latin is required. By the end of the second semester you should be able to read unedited passages of classical Latin.
A1: MWF 10:10-11:00AM Hutcheson
B1: MWF 9:05-9:55AM Reynolds
C1: MWF 12:20-1:10PM Kloster
CAS CL211 Latin 3: Prose
Aesthetic Exploration
Prereq: CAS CL 112 or equivalent
Reading of selections from Latin prose. Authors read may include Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Petronius, and Pliny.
A1: MWF 9:05-9:55AM Moorman
B1: TR 11:00-12:15PM Kronenberg
CAS CL351/GRS CL651 Latin Seminar
Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy
Prereq: CAS CL 212 or equivalent
Topic for Spring 2023: Apuleius’ Metamorphoses
MWF 11:15-12:05PM Moorman
Modern Greek Courses
*May be used to fulfill the CAS Language Requirement*
CAS CG111 Beginning Modern Greek 1
The Individual in Community
Prereq: Beginners only
Course may not be elected by anyone with previous study of modern Greek without consent of the department. Provides a basic reading knowledge of modern Greek (demotic) and introduces students to the spoken language.
MWF 1:25-2:15PM Polychroniou
CAS CG211 Intermediate Modern Greek 1
The Individual in Community
Prereq: CAS CG 112 or equivalent
Intensive review of modern Greek grammar and syntax and drill material from CAS CG 111 and 112. Development of advanced oral and reading skills.
MWF 2:30-3:20PM Polychroniou
CAS CG357/CAS CI 378: Modern Greek Culture and Film
Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking, Aesthetic Exploration, Research and Information Literacy
Introduction to Greek cultural, social, historical, political, economic, and religious issues through a range of films that have reflected and shaped contemporary Greek society. Entertainment, education, popular culture, propaganda, and identity- and nation-building practices as reflected in Greek cinema. Also offered as CAS CI 378.
MWF 12:20-1:10PM Polychroniou