Classics provides an opportunity to study cultures not only different than our own, but separated from us by over 2,000 years. Despite this vast gulf of time, we possess a large amount and variety of evidence about the ancient Greeks and Romans. Consequently, Classics boasts a very interdisciplinary and holistic approach, involving the study of language, literature, history, philosophy, and even art and architecture. Finally, since Classics is an academic field that stretches back to antiquity itself, we have seen how interpretations have changed according to time and various contexts. Such hindsight allows us to critically re-examine our approaches and cultural connections to classical antiquity, providing insight into our prejudices, assumptions, and self-perception.
The study of Classics yields both practical and intellectual benefits. Central to the subject are the ancient Greek or Latin languages, both of which have had an important influence on English vocabulary, especially medical and scientific terminology. Studying either language also gives one an excellent grounding in grammar, which improves one’s writing and is enormously helpful in learning modern languages. Latin offers a special advantage in this regard, since it is the basis of all Romance languages (e.g., French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese). Finally, both languages demand a high level of concentration, memorization, and attention to detail, all of which further one’s intellectual and personal development.
As a result of such factors, Classics students perform exceptionally well on standardized tests and attract extra attention to their job and graduate school applications. Students of Latin or Greek regularly outperform other students on the SAT and GRE, especially on the reading and writing sections. Classics students are rumored to have a better chance of getting into medical school than students who concentrate solely in biology, microbiology, and other branches of science. Law schools report that some of their top students come from Classics, while political science, economics, and pre-law majors lag fairly far behind. In general, training in Classics seems to attract extra attention to resumes and applications, perhaps due to the difficulty of the subject, the type of student it attracts, or the unusual intellectual interests it denotes.
The best reasons to study Classics, however, have nothing to do with its usefulness or reputation. Like other humanistic subjects, the study of Classics is valuable and rewarding in itself. The questions it raises and insights it gives are central to how we conceive of happiness, a good life, knowledge and truth, morality, human relationships, etc. Thus individuals ranging from Thomas Jefferson to Albert Einstein to Steve Jobs have prized Classics not as knowledge that one might use or profit from, but as part of an essential, lifelong intellectual pursuit.
Courses
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Latin
What do “etc.”, “i.e.”, and “e.g.” stand for? When should one use “whom” instead of “who”? Why is the English word “data” plural? (Did you know that?) Learn the answer to these and other questions by studying Latin! Along the way, you can read about Romulus and Remus, Roman legends and gods, Cicero, Caesar, the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, Charles the Great, Columbus, and Copernicus, all in Latin! Moreover, you will give yourself a head start on ALL modern Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and/or Romanian. As if that weren’t enough, you will 1) have an enormous amount of fun; 2) develop your vocabulary for standardized tests, medicine, and science; 3) improve your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; 4) begin to appreciate some of the greatest works of Western literature as they were meant to be read! Can you really afford to miss what Winston Churchill declared an “honor” and Thomas Jefferson a “sublime luxury” and “rich source of delight”? Horribile cogitatu. Carpe diem and register for an upcoming course! Listed as LATN 101: Elementary Latin I.
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Ancient Greek
Have you ever wondered what Homer’s Odyssey or the New Testament is like in its original language? What about famous philosophical maxims like “know yourself,” “man is the measure of all things,” “man is a political animal,” and “I am only wise in so far as I know that I know nothing”? Find out by learning ancient Greek! Take the first steps toward learning what Winston Churchill declared “a treat” and what Thomas Jefferson praised as “a sublime luxury” and “rich source of delight.” In addition to having fun, you will 2) develop your vocabulary for standardized tests, medicine, and science; 3) solidify your understanding of grammar and the formal properties of ALL languages; 4) improve your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; and 5) begin to appreciate some of the greatest works of Western literature as they were meant to be read! The course is geared toward both Classical and New Testament Greek. Class sessions and course requirements will be similar to those of any introductory language course, but we will devote some time to discussing specific passages and relevant historical, cultural, or intellectual trends. The introductory course is listed as GREK 101: Elementary Greek I.
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Greek Mythology
Hercules, the Titans, Zeus, the Trojan horse, Odysseus and the Cyclops, Daedalus and Icarus—these and other stories have been handed down through the ages and recur in our art, literature, and even our movies (e.g. Troy, Clash of the Titans, Wrath of the Titans, and innumerable movies about Hercules). But where did these myths come from? Why were they significant to the ancients? Why are they still significant for us? Explore these and other questions as you learn and review ancient Greek myth. The course will cover some of the most significant myths, but also explore various treatments of one or two particular myth. The majority of readings will be from primary sources such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Sophocles, Euripides, and Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Readings are in English translation; no knowledge of Greek or Latin is assumed. Listed as CLST 107: Greek Mythology.
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Greek Civilization
The ancient Greeks have influenced us for over 2000 years. Their culture has been called the “crucible” of western civilization. Because of them, our entire philosophical tradition was once characterized as “a series of footnotes.” A famous U.S. secretary of state claimed that you cannot understand international politics without them. Einstein declared that he was far more interested in them than science. And their thoughts and ideas still echo today: “nothing in excess;” “man is the measure of all things;” “I am only wise in so far as I know that I know nothing.” Who were they? What did they do to merit such influence? And why are they so important to understanding ourselves? This course will cover different aspects of Greek civilization such as history, literature, philosophy, art, and architecture. Readings are in English translation; no knowledge of Greek or Latin is assumed. Listed as CLST 204: Greek Civilization.
Fall 2014
Days & Times: MW 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Section: CLST 204.300
CRN: 47198
Instructor: Hans-Peder Hanson -
Roman Civilization
The ancient Romans were one of the most powerful and influential civilizations the world has ever seen. Their empire lasted over 1000 years and stretched from Britain to North Africa to Iraq. Their language, Latin, flourished another 1000 years, became the basis for Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese, and is still used today! Their enormous influence on art, architecture, law, and government likewise continues to this day. Trace the fascinating history of this civilization from its mythological founding as a tiny village, through the various vicissitudes and scandals of its government, to its great collapse. The course will also cover other aspects of Roman civilization such as, literature, philosophy, art, and architecture. Figures will include Romulus and Remus, Hannibal, Caesar, Cicero, Augustus, Caligula, Nero, and Constantine. Readings are in English translation; no knowledge of Greek or Latin is assumed. Listed as CLST 205: Roman Civilization.
Spring 2015
Days & Times: TTh 5:30 – 6415 p.m.
Section: CLST 205.300
CRN: 52732
Instructor: Jeff Dietz -
Greek Thought
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle — to this day, they remain towering, central figures in philosophy. Their ideas and contributions are staggering. In fact, it has been said that our entire western philosophical tradition is nothing more than a series of footnotes to Plato. But what gave rise to these individuals and their ideas? With what or whom are they arguing? This course explores the cultural and intellectual context out of which ancient Greek philosophy arose. Consequently, while the course analyzes texts from a philosophical perspective, it includes a wide variety of authors and works not typically offered in philosophy courses. Past readings, for example, have included not just Plato’s Republic, but Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad; Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War; and Aristophanes’ Acharnians, Lysistrata, and Clouds. To a large extent, readings depend on the interests of the instructor—Prof. Hanson has joked that his course should be re-named “Hanson’s Favorite Books.” Thus, by taking this course, students will be exposed to not only some of the greatest works of Western literature, but also the texts and ideas that inspired their teacher to pursue Classics. Readings are in English translation; no knowledge of Greek or Latin is assumed. Listed as PHIL 201: Greek Thought.
Spring 2015
Days & Times: MW 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Section: PHIL 201.300
CRN: 52897
Instructor: Hans-Peder Hanson -
Ancients Alive Series
The Ancients Alive series allows non-traditional students to study a particular Classical author, text, or civilization for their own intellectual enjoyment, without committing to homework, papers, or a semester-long course. Courses are usually offered in conjunction with regular credit courses at UNM-LA. For instance, community education students may be able to join a Greek Thought or Roman Civilization course for a short period in order to study Plato’s Republic, Virgil’s Aeneid, or Roman architecture. In the future, community education students may be able to join intermediate Latin or Greek classes in order to discuss (in English) works like Livy’s Early History of Rome, Ovid’s Metamorphoses, or Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. Visit UNM-LA’s Community Education website for upcoming courses: http://losalamos.unm.edu/community-education/index.html
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Intermediate Latin
“This too I shall seek as a reward of my work, namely to turn myself away from the sight of the evils that our age has witnessed for so many years…these times in which we can tolerate neither our vices nor the remedies needed to cure them.”
Thus Livy turned away from his own troubled times and began his monumental history of Rome, a 142-book work that began with Rome’s founding in 753 BC. Livy wanted his reader to learn from the past, to understand why Rome rose to such great power and why it began to fall. In this class, we shall read the first part of Livy’s history, namely the early legends of Rome and its founding as a republic. Stories will include Romulus and Remus, the rape of the Sabine women, the Horiatii and Curiatii, the rape of Lucretia, Horatius on the bridge, Coriolanus, and Cincinnatus and his plough. Readings will be in both Latin and English. Listed as LATN 201/202: Intermediate Latin I/II.
Instructors
Hans-Peder Hanson
Hans-Peder Hanson holds a doctorate in Classics from the University of Washington. He has been teaching Classics at the high school and college levels for fifteen years and has visited Italy and Greece four times. At UNM-LA, he teaches various Latin, Greek, mythology, civilization, and philosophy courses and directs the Academic Support Center. He also continues to research and has published some of his work. In addition to Classics, he loves skiing and embarrassing himself in YMCA basketball.
Email: hhanson@unm.edu
Jeff Dietz
Jeff Dietz earned a master's degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree from Boston University, both in Classics. He has lived in Greece for two years and visited nearly every classical site between Crete and Hadrian's Wall. He teaches Latin and Greek and Roman civilization courses. In addition to Classics, he enjoys cycling, hiking and travel. Wherever he goes, he takes a lot of photos, and occasionally writes about his adventures.
Email: cjdietz@unm.edu
Twitter: @jeffdietz