Classics

An introduction to the Latin language, concentrating on the fundamentals of Latin in preparation for reading classical and medieval authors in the original language at higher levels. 

The continuation of CLS 101, with further study of the Latin language in preparation for reading classical and medieval Latin authors in the original language at higher levels.

An introduction to ancient Greek, concentrating on the fundamentals of classical Greek in preparation for reading classical and New Testament Greek at higher levels.

The continuation of CLS 103, with further study of classical Greek in preparation for reading classical and New Testament Greek at higher levels.

This course strives to communicate something of the broad perspective on human culture characteristic of classics at its best: an intense interest in the interconnections between areas that too easily become siloed off in their own disciplines: literature, art, philosophy, history, politics, warfare, and so on.  As its title suggests, the literature of the classical world is a special focus in this course, with readings in both Greek and Roman authors across a timespan that may range from Homer to the Christian authors from the end of the Roman Empire. But the course seeks to examine how developments in literature relate to developments in other areas of human life. This course often includes discussion of the legacy of classical Greek and Latin literature and thought in later periods from the Middle Ages to the present day.  All readings are in English.

The conclusion to the sequence of introductory Latin classes, which completes students’ learning of the fundamentals of the Latin language and equips them to begin reading classical and medieval authors in the original language. 

The conclusion to the sequence of introductory Greek classes, which completes students’ learning of the fundamentals of classical Greek and equips them to begin reading classical and New Testament Greek texts in the original language.

Koine Greek is a dialect of Greek spoken and written during the centuries following the conquests of Alexander, including during the Roman Empire.   It is of particular importance as the original language of the New Testament. This course introduces students to koine Greek through readings from the New Testament and other later Greek works, such as the Septuagint.  All readings are in the original Greek.  This course may be repeated for credit if the readings are different.

This course surveys Greek literature, history, art, thought, and culture from their beginnings, and the legacy of ancient Greek civilization in the West.  All readings are in English.

This course surveys the literature, history, art, thought, and culture of ancient Rome from their beginnings, and the legacy of Roman civilization in the West.  All readings are in English.

The mythology of ancient Greece makes up the most famous and influential body of myth and legend in world history.  This course examines these stories about the Greek gods and heroes as they appear in Greek and Roman literature and art, and may include study of retellings of these stories in later periods from the Middle Ages to the present day.  All readings are in English.

If brought to the present day, an educated Greek or Roman from much of the timespan of classical civilization would find the speech and self-presentation of a modern educated person shockingly amateurish.  Rhetoric was the art of public speaking, and also much more than that.  Its importance reflected the profound centrality of speech in public settings in the life and values of the ancient Greek and Roman city. This course examines ancient Greek and Roman speeches, but also ancient writing about the art of persuasion, both by rhetorical writers themselves, and by their critics such as Plato.  All readings are in English.

If ancient Greek and Roman poetry is the most influential poetry in Western literary history, no genre within it is more influential than epic — a kind of poetry most associated with Homer and Virgil, but extending into some remarkably strange places.  This course examines the ancient epic tradition from Homer through Roman epics such as those of Virgil, Ovid, and Lucan.  It may also look back as far as the precursors of Greek and Roman epic such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and forward to successors such as Paradise Lost.  All readings are in English.

Patristic Greek is the language of Christian Greek authors of the second through sixth centuries A.D., such as St. Athanasius, St. Basil of Caesarea, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. John Chrysostom.  This course introduces students to patristic Greek language and thought through readings in the original Greek.  This course may be repeated for credit if the readings are different.

Roman law is perhaps the single most lasting and important legacy of the Roman Empire, representing as it does the basis of civil law systems throughout the modern world, not to mention constituting an important influence on other legal systems such as those of the United States.  This course provides an introductory overview of Roman private and public law in its original historical context.  All readings are in English.

Few, if any, intellectual and cultural revolutions in world history can claim to be as consequential as the rise and eventual triumph of Christianity within the pagan Roman world.  This course examines how the new Christian thought and literature relates to its non-Christian counterpart, through pagan authors such as Plutarch and Seneca and Christian authors such as Tertullian and Augustine. All readings are in English.

This course is designed to start students on their journey of reading classical and medieval authors in the original Latin.  Readings may include authors such as Augustine, Caesar, and Virgil. The authors read are drawn from different periods of classical Latin, and may range beyond that, to include late Latin, medieval Latin, and neo-Latin (the Latin of the Renaissance through the eighteenth century).  All readings are in the original Latin.

This course introduces students to reading Roman literature from the Republic in the original Latin.  Readings are drawn from authors such as Cicero, Catullus, Plautus, Terence, Lucretius, and Sallust.  
CLS 321 is only offered in the fall, and may be taken after CLS 322, if the student has not already taken CLS 321.

This course introduces students to reading Roman literature from the Empire in the original Latin.  Readings are drawn from authors such as Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Livy, Seneca, Lucan, Statius, and Juvenal.  
CLS 322 is only offered in the spring, and can be taken before CLS 321.

This course is designed to start students on their journey of reading ancient Greek authors in the original language.  The authors read are typically classical Greek prose authors such as Plato or Lysias, but may range beyond that.

This course offers more intensive reading than CLS 350 in Athenian literature of the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., and may include poetry such as Greek tragedy or comedy, as well as prose authors such as Xenophon and Aristotle. Readings may also include non-Attic authors of the classical period such as Herodotus. All readings are in the original Greek. 
CLS 351 is only offered in the fall, and may be taken after CLS 352, if the student has not already taken CLS 351.

This course introduces the student to reading Homer’s epics in the original Greek. It includes not only attention to the linguistic peculiarities of Homeric Greek and the meter of Homeric poetry, but also critical approaches to the poems. Reading normally consists of selections from either the Iliad or the Odyssey, but may include selections from both.

This immersive course provides students an opportunity to activate their passive knowledge of the Latin language. Students will practice comprehending Latin as they hear it and will learn to engage each other in conversation by taking part in exercises and games, as well as by discussing Latin texts and imitating Latin authors. No prior experience in speaking Latin is required, although a good grasp of Latin grammar is assumed. Those who have passed CLS 201 or higher are encouraged to enroll. Students currently taking 201 may enroll with the permission of the instructor.

This course surveys the important authors and genres of Greek literature. It is required for classics majors and Greek majors, and complements the more focused reading of authors in the original Greek in other classes with a broad perspective by reading a wide range of different texts in English translation.

This course surveys the important authors and genres of Roman literature. It is required for classics majors and Latin majors, and complements the more focused reading of authors in the original Latin in other classes with a broad perspective by reading a wide range of different texts in English translation.

This course offers readings in Latin authors of different periods at an advanced level, with more attention paid to discussion of literary, historical, philosophical and other intellectual aspects of the text than at lower levels. The course often focuses on a single author. All reading of primary sources is in the original Latin.
CLS 403 is only offered in the fall, and may be taken after CLS 404 if the student has not already taken CLS 403.

The companion course to CLS 403, CLS 404 offers  readings in Latin authors of different periods at an advanced level, with more attention paid to discussion of literary, historical, philosophical and other intellectual aspects of the text than at lower levels. The course often focuses on a single author. All reading of primary sources is in the original Latin. 
CLS 404 is only offered in the spring, and may be taken before CLS 403.

Readings from authors such as Plautus, Terence, Seneca, Horace, and Juvenal.

This course offers readings at an advanced level from the Vulgate Bible and patristic Latin authors such as St. Augustine and St. Jerome, along with discussion of literary, theological and other intellectual aspects of the texts. All readings are in the original Latin. This course may be repeated for credit if the readings are different.

This course introduces students to the reading of medieval Latin, with particular attention to appreciating the ways in which the medieval Latin language can be very different from classical Latin. This course may be repeated for credit if the readings are different.

Intensive work in composing Latin prose. The course devotes special attention to Latin syntax and prose style and may also include treatment of Latin pragmatics and comparative grammar, as well as ex tempore, oral composition in class. Permission of instructor is required for enrollment.

The continuation of CLS 411. Like CLS 411, the course devotes special attention to Latin syntax and prose style. It may also treat of Latin verse composition, as well as ex tempore, oral composition in class. Permission of the instructor is required for enrollment.

This course offers readings in ancient Greek authors of different periods at an advanced level, with more attention paid to discussion of literary, historical, philosophical and other intellectual aspects of the text than at lower levels. The course often focuses on a single author. All reading of primary sources is in the original Greek. 
CLS 423 is only offered in the fall, and may be taken after CLS 424 if the student has not already taken CLS 423.

Readings from authors such as Homer, Archaic Lyric, Pindar.

This course provides hands-on experience in the classroom for students interested in improving their pedagogical skills and/or considering a career as a Latin teacher. There are two possible tracks for this program: (A) teaching 3^rd-8^th grade 2 hours/week at Hillsdale Preparatory School, or (B) observing and student-teaching 3^rd-12^th grade 2 hours/week at Hillsdale Academy. Students are expected to communicate with their classroom lead teacher, create and submit lesson plans (when applicable), and attend teacher development seminars. Any interested students may register for this course, but they must complete an application and interview process to remain enrolled. Students may repeat CLS 450 for up to 6 credit hours; such hours count towards the overall maximum allowable internship and practicum credit (6).

Beginning Spring 2025: CLS 400 or permission of the instructor will be required for enrollment.

A seminar dealing in depth with some aspect of Latin literature, typically a single author or a particular genre or period. Seminars deal extensively with literary, historical, philosophical, and other aspects of the topic. This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different.

A seminar dealing in depth with some aspect of ancient Greek literature, typically a single author or a particular genre or period. Seminars deal extensively with literary, historical, philosophical, and other aspects of the topic. This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different.