Salve! Welcome to the Classics at Arizona State University! χαῖρε!
Just getting started? Our lower-level Classical civilization courses (all in English translation)
SLC/GRK 142: Ancient Greek Civilization
Today the Greeks are probably best known for their myths. But they gave us so much more. the concepts of justice, law, and democracy. Great art and architecture like the Parthenon, elements of which you can see even around the ASU campus today. Canonical literature like Homer and Sophocles who have deeply influenced the literary tradition. When they defeated the Persians in 479 BC, they in effect created Western Civilization as a distinct culture from the East, leading to the United States today. Come learn what else we owe to them.
MWF 1:25-2:15 pm
3 credits (C)
General Studies Maroon HU, H
General Student Gold HUAD
LAT/SLC 143: Roman Civilization
This course is an introduction to ancient Roman civilization from the earliest times (ca. 1200 BCE) through the fall of the Western Empire (CE 476) and the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (6th c. CE). We will examine ancient Roman society, history, art, architecture, literature, mythology, and legends.
3 credits (C) i-course
General Studies Maroon H, HU
General Studies Gold GCSI
GRK/LAT/ SLC 223: Intro to Greek and Roman Myth
Do you really know Greek and Roman mythology? Sure, you know who Zeus was and you’ve heard of Hercules and his Twelve Labors. But do you know what myths mean? What purpose they serve? How do we interpret them? Do you know how myth surrounds us in the world today—and is often wrong?
Come find out.
This course is offered in A session and B session, as an i-course and also through ASU Online
General Studies Maroon HU
General Studies Gold HUAD
SLC 123: Gods and Monsters: Comparative Mythology
In this course, we’ll explore the mythologies of a variety of cultures worldwide, both in the modern world and in past societies, including the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, the Near East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Native American cultures. We will look at selections from literary texts and oral traditions from these cultures, as well as critical theory which will help us to understand the original stories and modern references to and reimaginings of them. We will discuss issues of context, cultural transmission and appropriation, and source criticism.
MWF 11:15-12:05 3 credits (C)
General Studies Maroon G, HU
General Studies Gold GCSI
NEW for Fall 24!
Want to learn Latin?
LAT 101: Elementary Latin I
MW 10:30-11:45 am
F 10:30-11:20 am
Basic Latin grammar with an emphasis on developing reading skills. Continuation of LAT 101.
4 credits (C)
General Studies Maroon G
LAT 201: Intermediate Latin I
MWF 10:30-11:45 am
F 10:30-11:20 am
Final semester of grammar.
3 credits (C)
LAT 421/598: Roman Literature (95355, 92742)
MWF 12:20-1:10 pm
Readings in the Latin masterpieces. Authors read change each year in accordance with needs of the class. May be repeated for credit.
3 credits (C)
General Studies Maroon HU
Our upper-level Classical Civilization courses (all in English translation)
GRK/SLC 353 Alexander and His Empires
Comprehensive coverage of the cultural and historical world of the ancient Greek civilization from the ascent of Alexander the Great to the Macedonian throne in 338-336 BCE, through the existence of the kingdoms that followed his conquests, until their final subjugation by the Roman Empire in 31 BCE. This holistic study addresses not only the history of this period, but also its literature, art, religion, philosophy and science, with an emphasis on how these phenomena relate to one another. This was a period of massive economic and military expansion (including colonization), accompanied by social dislocation and cultural and scientific innovation. In these respects, this period has much to teach us today.
TTh 1:30-2:45 pm
General Studies Maroon HU, H
3 credits (C)
LAT/SLC 358: Saving the Roman Empire
In his autobiographical epitaph, the Res Gestae, Augustus, founder of the Roman Empire, claimed to have restored Rome to her former glory. His moral, social and political reforms solidified Roman control of the world and the imperial family's hold on ruling her. Through the next five hundred years, as the power of the empire waned and waxed, Augustus's successors turned time and again to reforming the empire and restoring her to her former glory - to saving the Roman Empire. In doing so they had to deal with problems both external and internal; sometimes their ideas worked, often they did not. Ultimately they failed, and Rome and the western empire fell in CE 476. Examines the rise, decline and fall of the Roman Empire from the perspective of internal and external problems the Empire faced, and asks which reforms worked, which did not work, and why. What could have been done differently? Should anything have been done differently, or was the western Roman Empire always doomed?
MW 3:00-4:15
General Studies Maroon L, HU, H
3 credits (C)
GRK/SLC 494 and SLC 598: The Classical Tradition-Greco Roman Antiquity Now
The impact of the ancient Greeks and Romans on the construction of modernity is hard to underestimate, but often poorly understood. This course traces that influence through literature, philosophy, and the arts, and shows how it influences modern societies, including the way that its fundamental ideas are framed. The course will be taught in English and texts will be read in English translation. Topics covered will include US and Athenian democracy; the influence of the ancient world on modern fascism and totalitarianism; Classics in video games, manga, film, and modern literature; and the Classical architectural tradition.
iCourse (C)
General Studies Maroon H
3 credits
LAT/SLC/REL 361: Roman Religion
Roman religion was never static, despite the best efforts of the Roman state to make it so. Understands the artifacts and procedures of Roman state cult from its earliest origins to the late empire, using ancient literary sources, archaeology throughout the ages and modern scholarly theories. Clarifies the forces that influenced development and change in Roman religion, both internal and external.
TTh 3:00-4:15 pm
3 credits (C)
General Studies Maroon HU
GRK/SLC 394: Ancient Greek Science and Society
Well, first of all: if you’re majoring in the Bachelor of Science program in the College, it’s your next Science & Society credit. (You need two courses of S&S.) Why not have fun doing it, and kick around some names like Aristotle, Euclid, and Archimedes? More to the point, though, this course is not a complete history of ancient Greek science. Rather, it selects particular areas of Greek science (especially astronomy, physics, mathematics, and medicine) and explores their relationships with the cultural sphere of the Greeks. It’s humanities and science all in one!
TTh 10:30-11:45
3 credits (C)
"...and Greek as a treat." -- Winston Churchill
GRK 101: Elementary Ancient Greek (70737)
Ancient Greek syntax and grammar, equipping the student to read the foundational texts of Greco-Roman antiquity.
MWF 9:05-9:55 am
+ 1 hour hybrid
General Studies Maroon G
4 credits (C)
GRK 301: Ancient Greek Literature II (70738)
Readings Ancient Greek Authors in the original language
MWF 9:05-9:55 am
General Studies Maroon HU, G
3 credits (C)
Going to medical or PA school? Get a head start with our Medical Terminology course!
GRK/LAT/SLC/BIO 140: Greek and Latin Roots of Biomedical Terminology
Introduces students to the ancient Greek and Latin root words most commonly used in biological, medical, and other scientific terminology, and gives practice identifying them in context. The knowledge of these root words enables students to memorize with greater ease and increased retention the bioscientific terminology they encounter in other coursework as well as in their medical or scientific profession.
This course is taught in Session A and Session B as an iCourse or an oCourse
3 credits