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.
Classical Civilization Courses
CAS CL101: Classical Civilization: The World of Greece
Esposito; TR 11:00-12:15 PM, plus one discussion section
The literature, philosophy, art, and culture of ancient Greece and their impact on the Western tradition. Topics covered include the emergence of epic poetry; art and lyric in the Archaic Age; drama, architecture, philosophy, and political developments of classical Athens and Greece. All texts in translation.
HUB areas: Historical Consciousness, Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings, Critical Thinking
CAS CL202: Warfare in Antiquity
Samons; TR 11:00-12:15 PM
Examines both strategic and tactical aspects of warfare in antiquity, as well as the political, social, and economic factors that shaped or derived from the experience of ancient battle. All texts in translation.
CAS CL213: Greek and Roman Mythology
Scully; TR 10:10-11:00 AM
A general introduction to the myths of the ancient classical world, with particular regard to the patterns of experience, both religious and psychological, from which they evolved. All texts in translation.
HUB areas: Historical Consciousness, Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings.
CAS CL224: Greek Drama in Translation
Staff; TR 9:30-10:45 PM
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.
HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Ethical Reasoning, Teamwork/Collaboration
CAS CL229: Roman Comedy
Nelson; TR 12:30-1:45 PM
Selected plays. Explores the Roman adaptation of Greek comic forms, the development of a Roman point of view, practical aspects of staging plays, and the influence of early Roman comedy on later literature. All texts in translation.
Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Teamwork/Collaboration.
CAS CL249: Classics in Popular Culture
Klein; TR 2:00-3:15 PM
This course explores the ways in which modern myth-makers have reimagined ancient Greek and Roman legends for contemporary audiences. It examines a wide variety of popular artforms to investigate how to they use the past to interrogate the present.
Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or 120).
HUB Areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation, Writing-Intensive
CAS CL305: Topics in Myth
Ruck; TR 9:30-10:45 AM
This course may be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2024: Eleusis and the Mystery Religions.
Prereq: CAS CL213 and First Year Writing Seminar (e.g. WR 100 or WR 120).
HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy
CAS CL322: Roman History
Varhelyi; TR 12:30-1:45 PM
Introduction to the political, social, and economic history of Rome from the foundation of the city through the fall of the western empire.
HUB areas: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry II, Critical Thinking
CAS CL406: Advanced Topics in Classical Civilization
Scully; MWF 12:20-1:10 PM
In-depth examination of an aspect of classical civilization. All texts in translation. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2024: Greek Tragedy and Modern Literature.
Prereq: two courses in classical civilization or consent of instructor; first-year writing seminar (e.g. WR 100 or WR 120).
HUB areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication , Writing- Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.
Ancient Greek Courses
*May be used to fulfill the CAS Language Requirement*
CAS CL162: Greek 2
Hutcheson; MWF 2:30-3:20 PM
Further study of ancient Greek grammar, forms, and vocabulary with reading of both adapted and original passages from ancient texts.
Prereq: (CASCL161) or equivalent.
CAS CL262: Greek 4: Prose
Staff; MWF 11:15-12:05 PM
Reading of selections from the Iliad or Odyssey.
Prereq: (CASCL261) or equivalent.
HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Teamwork/Collaboration.
CAS CL391/691: Greek Seminar
Esposito; TR 2:00- 3:15 PM
Intensive study of selected major authors. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2024: Thucydides.
Prereq: (CASCL262) or equivalent.
HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy
Latin Courses
*May be used to fulfill the CAS Language Requirement*
CAS CL112: Latin 2
Further study of Latin grammar, forms, and vocabulary with reading of both adapted and original passages from ancient texts.
Prereq: (CASCL111) or equivalent.
A1: Hutcheson; MWF 10:10-11:00 AM
B1: Staff; MWF 9:05-9:55 AM
C1: Staff; MWF 12:20-1:10 PM
CAS CL212: Latin 4: Prose
Reading of selections from Latin poetry. Authors read may include Catullus, Ovid, and Vergil.
Prereq: (CASCL211) or equivalent.
HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Teamwork/Collaboration
A1: Moorman; MWF 9:05-9:55 AM
B1: Ruck; TR 12:30-1:45 PM
C1: Staff; TR 3:30-4:45 PM
CAS CL351/651: Latin Seminar
Nelson; TR 9:30-10:45 AM
Intensive study of selected major authors. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2024: Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
Prereq: (CASCL212) or equivalent.
HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy
CAS CL522: Survey of Latin Literature
Uden; MWF 1:25-2:15 PM
Survey of Latin authors focusing on the period of the early Empire; introduction to classical scholarship. For advanced students wishing to increase their language skills through extensive reading.
Modern Greek Courses
*May be used to fulfill the CAS Language Requirement*
CAS CG101: Modern Greek, Language, Culture, and Literature
Polychroniou; MWF 11:15-12:05 PM
This course develops students’ awareness of Greek language, history, literature and culture. It focuses on contemporary life in Greece while paying attention to aspects of the past that are connected to Greek reality today. Taught in English.
HUB areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, and critical thinking
CAS CG112: Modern Greek 2
Mavrogiannaki; TR 9:30-10:45 AM
Review of grammar and syntax of modern Greek, reading in both prose and poetry, intensive oral practice.
Prereq: (CASCG111) or equivalent.
HUB areas: The Individual in Community
CAS CG212: Modern Greek 4
Polychroniou; MWF 12:20-1:10 PM
Discussion in Greek on everyday themes. Development of reading skills through the analysis of contemporary texts. Analysis of contrasting modes of expression and their influence on separate national cultures in Greek and in English.
Prereq: (CASCG211) or equivalent.
HUB areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy