Programs Offered

Master's Degree

Doctoral Degree

The Department of Classics is home to one of the most vibrant programs at the University of Colorado Boulder. Students at every level in the department are challenged to acquire a set of skills in the analysis and presentation of diverse forms of evidence that stand to serve them in their daily, civic and professional lives.

The field of Classics is multicultural; it involves the study of the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, but also of the many peoples with whom the Greeks and Romans interacted in central and eastern Europe, north Africa, Egypt and the Middle East.

The field of Classics is interdisciplinary because faculty and students in the department cross the boundaries of literature, philosophy, material and visual culture, history and religion to study the world of antiquity. Classics also covers area studies because of the broad sweep of the Mediterranean basin and the regions that border it that our field encompasses. The department offers courses in language and literature, ancient history, philosophy, and art and archaeology within several programs of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Course codes for this program are CLAS, GREK and LATN.

Faculty

While many faculty teach both undergraduate and graduate students, some instruct students at the undergraduate level only. For more information, contact the faculty member's home department.

Ambrose, Kirk T.
Professor; PhD, University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Atnally, Diane L.
Associate Professor Emerita; PhD, University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Bailey, Dominic T.J.
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Cambridge

Cain, Andrew J.
Professor, Associate Chair; PhD, Cornell University

Dusinberre, Elspeth Rogers Mcin
Professor; PhD, University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Elliott, Jacqueline Michelle
Associate Professor; PhD, Columbia University

Gibert, John C.
Professor; PhD, Harvard University

Herz, Zachary
Assistant Professor; PhD, Columbia University; JD, Yale University

Hunt, Peter
Professor; PhD, Stanford University

James, Sarah Anne
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Texas at Austin

King, Joy K.
Associate Professor Emerita

Köster, Isabel
Assistant Professor, Associate Chair; PhD, Harvard University

Lansford, Edwin Tyler
Senior Instructor; PhD, University of Washington

Lee, Mi-Kyoung
Associate Professor; PhD, Harvard University

Michaelis-Cummings, Laura A.
Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Muller-Sievers, Helmut Heinz
Professor; PhD, Stanford University

Nakassis, Dimitri
Chair, Professor; PhD, University of Texas at Austin

Newlands, Carole E.
Distinguished Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Pasnau, Robert C.
Professor; PhD, Cornell University

Reitzammer, Laurialan Blake
Associate Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Schütrumpf, Eckart E.W.
Professor Emeritus

Trnka-Amrhein, Yvona
Assistant Professor; PhD, Harvard University

Tzavella-Evjen, Terpsichori H.
Professor Emerita

Courses

Show only these courses...

CLAS 5021 (3) Athens and Greek Democracy

Studies Greek history from 800 B.C. (the rise of the city-state) to 323 B.C. (the death of Alexander the Great). Emphasizes the development of democracy in Athens. Readings are in the primary sources.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4021 and HIST 4021
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5031 (3) Alexander the Great and the Rise of Macedonia

Covers Macedonia's rise to dominance in Greece under Philip II and the reign and conquests of Alexander the Great.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4031 and HIST 4031
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5041 (3) Classical Greek Political Thought

Studies main representatives of political philosophy in antiquity (Plato, Aristotle, Cicero) and of the most important concepts and values of ancient political thought. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4041 and HIST 4041 and PHIL 4210
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5061 (3) Twilight of Antiquity

Explores the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire in the western Mediterranean and its survival in the East as Byzantium. Emphasizes Christianity; barbarians; social, economic and cultural differences; contemporary views of Rome; and modern scholarship. No Greek or Latin is required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4061 and HIST 4061 and HIST 5061
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5071 (3) Seminar in Ancient Social History

Considers topics ranging from demography, disease, family structure, and the organization of daily life to ancient slavery, economics, and law. Focuses either on Persia, Greece, or Rome and includes a particular emphasis on the methodology required to reconstruct an ancient society, especially the interpretation of problematic literary and material evidence and the selective use of comparisons with better known societies. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4071 and HIST 4071
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5081 (3) The Roman Republic

Studies the Roman Republic from its foundation in 753 B.C. to its conclusion with the career of Augustus. Emphasizes the development of Roman Republican government. Readings are in the primary sources. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4081 and HIST 4081
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5091 (3) The Roman Empire

Intense survey of Imperial Rome from the Roman revolution to the passing of centralized political authority in the western Mediterranean. Emphasizes life, letters and personalities of the empire. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4091 and HIST 4091
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5099 (3) Ancient Greek Sculpture

Understanding that Greek sculpture, like all visual media, was part of the fabric of ancient Greek life and expressed the values of its creators and audience is a valuable way to gain insights into the social, economic, and political world of ancient Greece. This course will examine the work of Greek sculptors from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period. Key stylistic and technical developments, as well as significant works of art, sculptors and workshops will be discussed in detail. Some issues we will consider are the physical, religious and/or socio-historical context of individual freestanding sculptures and how specific sculptural programs illustrate aspects of Greek culture. Iconographic and narrative choices made by artists working in stone, compared to other material, will also be addressed.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4099, ARTH 4099 and ARTH 5099
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

CLAS 5101 (3) Greek and Roman Slavery

Surveys slavery in ancient Greece and Rome beginning with its growth, economics and political effects, moving to the life experiences of slaves, resistance and revolt, and finishing with the ideology of slavery. Focuses throughout on the challenge of understanding classical slavery on the basis of scattered and biased evidence and on the controversies that have surrounded this topic.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4101 and HIST 4101

CLAS 5109 (3) Ancient Italian Painting

Explores the problems, theories and methods for understanding the iconography, styles, topologies, contexts and techniques of fresco wall painting in ancient Italy from the 6th century B.C.E. to the 4th century C.E. Topics covered include Etruscan tomb paintings, late Republican and early imperial fresco paintings from Rome and Campania and later Roman wall paintings, including the painted images in ancient catacombs. Previous coursework on ancient Italy or the history of pre-modern art is highly recommended.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4109 and ARTH 4109 and ARTH 5109
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5110 (3) Greek and Roman Epic

Students read in English translation the major epics of Graeco-Roman antiquity such as the Iliad, Odyssey, Argonautica, Aeneid, and Metamorphoses. Topics discussed may include the nature of classical epic, its relation to the novel, and its legacy. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4110 and HUMN 4110
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Literature, Culture, and Thought

CLAS 5119 (3) Roman Sculpture

Examines ancient Roman sculpture, emphasizing the display, iconography, and production of private and public monuments in the Roman Empire. Explores sculpture as evidence for historical developments, societal and gender attitudes, and state ideologies in the ancient Roman world.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4119 and ARTH 4119 and ARTH 5119
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5120 (3) Greek and Roman Tragedy

Intensive study of selected tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Seneca in English translation. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4120 and HUMN 4120
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Literature, Culture, and Thought

CLAS 5129 (3) Aegean Art and Archaeology

Detailed study of the cultures of prehistoric Greece, the Cycladic Islands and Crete, their art and archaeology and their history within the broader context of the eastern Mediterranean, from earliest human settlement to the collapse of the Bronze Age at about 1100 B.C.E. Emphasis is on palace states.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4129 and ANTH 4129 and ANTH 5129 and ARTH 4129
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5130 (3) Greek and Roman Comedy

Studies Aristophanes, Plautus, and Terence in English translation. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4130 and HUMN 4130
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Literature, Culture, and Thought

CLAS 5139 (3) Greek Vase Painting

A comprehensive overview of Greek vase painting, from prehistoric through the fourth century B.C.E. Emphasis is on learning the development of primary decorative styles and on refining skills of visual analysis, scholarly research, critical thinking, oral commentary and written presentation.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4139 and ARTH 4139 and ARTH 5139
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5140 (3) The Greek and Roman Novel

Studies a number of complete Greek and Roman novels from Classical Antiquity and their predecessors and contemporary neighbors in the genres of Greek prose fiction. Ancient texts in English translation.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4140 and HUMN 4131
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Literature, Culture, and Thought

CLAS 5149 (3) Greek Cities and Sanctuaries

Examines Greek architecture in context, from the ninth century B.C.E. into the Hellenistic period, considering the use of space, both in religious and in civic settings and using texts as well as material culture. Emphasis is on developing analytical skills.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4149 and ARTH 4149
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5159 (3) Hellenistic Art and Archaeology

Examines art and archaeology from the period following the death of Alexander the Great (late fourth century B.C.E.) to the conquest of Greece by the Romans (middle second century B.C.E.).

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ARTH 5159
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5169 (3) Topics in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology

In-depth consideration of an aspect of ancient Mediterranean culture. Topics vary and may include ancient wall painting, Greek sculpture, artists and patrons, the ancient Near East, Egyptian art and archaeology, or Etruscan art and archaeology.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4169 and ARTH 4169 and ARTH 5169
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5179 (3) City of Athens

Explores in detail the buildings, sculptures, pots, foreign imports and society of Athens, considering material culture of individuals as much as civic programs. Emphasis is on ways the textual and archaeological evidence complement and/or contradict one another. Focuses on the Periklean period, considering ways in which it developed from earlier times and influenced later ones in Athens.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ARTH 5179
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5189 (3) City of Rome

Explores in detail the architecture, sculptures, coins, frescoes and other material evidence alongside the political and social history of Augustan Rome. Emphasis is on ways in which the textual and archaeological evidence complement and/or contradict one another. Explores the impact of the early imperial period on later Roman phases of urban design and image making in the capital city.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ARTH 5189
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5199 (3) Roman Architecture

Examines the designs, functions and construction methods of ancient Roman towns, temples, baths, houses and civic structures, as well as utilitarian structures including roads and aqueducts. Emphasizes Roman architectural forms and spaces as vehicles for political propaganda and empire consolidation.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4199 and ARTH 4199
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5209 (6) Classical Archaeological Field Methods

Offers experiential learning in theories and methods of archaeological fieldwork in the western Argolid in Greece. Applies methods for extensive survey, stratigraphic excavation, GIS modeling, ceramic analysis, numismatic analysis, architectural studies, artifact and data processing and documentation. Offered abroad only.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4209 and ARTH 4209
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisite CLAS 1509 or ARTH 1509 or CLAS 2049 or ARTH 2049.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5229 (3) Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology

Archaeology of ancient Egypt in light of recent excavations; the history of excavations of the different sites; and the art of ancient Egypt through time. Formerly ANTH 5420.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4229 and ARTH 4229 and ARTH 5229
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 5269 (3) Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East

Examines civilizations of the Iran-Iraq region and Anatolia from the rise of urbanism in Mesopotamia through the era of the first 'world empire,' Achaemenid Persia. Emphasizes the material record of religious and state institutions of the ancient Near East, especially monuments that illustrate concepts of power and communication. Explores notions of style, symbolism, visual rhetoric, text-image synthesis, patronage, creativity, trade, religion, gender, identity and roles of artists. May be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 5269 and ARTH 4269 and ARTH 5269
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology
Departmental Category: Asia Content

CLAS 5761 (3) Roman Law

Studies the constitutional and legal history of ancient Rome; emphasizes basic legal concepts and comparisons with American law. No Greek or Latin required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: CLAS 4761 and HIST 4761 and HIST 5761
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 5840 (1-3) Graduate Independent Study

No Greek or Latin required.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 7.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Literature, Culture, and Thought

CLAS 6109 (3) Topics in Critical Theory and Ancient Art and Archaeology

Topics will vary and may focus on a particular approach to ancient material culture or on a particular time period or artifact category. Emphasis is placed on reading and using theory in considering the ancient world.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 6119 (1-3) Graduate Independent Study in Classical Art and Archaeology

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 7.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 6952 (1-6) Master's Thesis

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Classical Philology

CLAS 7011 (3) Seminar in Ancient History

Examines topics in ancient Greek and Roman history at an advanced seminar level.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Ancient History

CLAS 7012 (3) Graduate Seminar

Topic specified in online Schedule Planner.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Classical Philology

CLAS 7109 (3) Graduate Seminar in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology

Topics vary. Emphasis is on gaining expertise in using archaeological reports in tandem with (or contradiction to) textual sources, on reading and using critical theory, on improving analytical skills and discussion, and on honing discussion leadership abilities.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Art and Archaeology

CLAS 7840 (1-3) Graduate Independent Study

No Greek or Latin required.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 7.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Literature, Culture, and Thought

CLAS 8992 (1-10) Doctoral Dissertation

All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.

Additional Information: Departmental Category: Classical Philology

GREK 5013 (3) Topics in Greek Prose

Author or topic in ancient Greek specified in the online Schedule Planner (e.g., Thucydides, Herodotus, Plato, Aristotle, Attic Orators).

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: GREK 4013
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Greek

GREK 5023 (3) Topics in Greek Poetry

Author or topic in ancient Greek specified in the online Schedule Planner (e.g., Homer, Hesiod, lyric poetry, tragedy, comedy).

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: GREK 4023
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Greek

GREK 5093 (3) Survey of Greek Literature

Greek literary history in ancient Greek from Homer to the Hellenistic age.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: GREK 4093
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Greek

GREK 6003 (3) Graduate Reading

Author or topic specified in the online Schedule Planner.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Greek

GREK 6843 (1-3) Graduate Independent Study

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 7.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Greek

GREK 7013 (3) Graduate Seminar in Greek Literature

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Greek

LATN 5014 (3) Topics in Latin Prose

Author or topic in Latin specified in the online Schedule Planner (e.g., Roman historians, Roman epistolography, Cicero, Roman novel).

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: LATN 4014
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 5024 (3) Latin Prose Composition

Reviews grammar and syntax. Introduces Latin prose style and composition. Formerly CLAS 5024.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: LATN 4024
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 5044 (3) Topics in Latin Poetry

Author or topic specified in Latin specified in the online Schedule Planner (e.g., Roman elegy, Neronian poetry, Lucretius, Roman satire).

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: LATN 4044
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 5084 (3) Survey of Roman Literature Part 2: Imperial

Covers Imperial Roman literary history from the mid-late Augustan Period to the start of Late Antiquity. Students read principal surviving works of Imperial Roman poetry and prose in the original Latin.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: LATN 4084
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 5094 (3) Survey of Roman Literature Part 1: Republican to Augustan

Introduces Roman literary history from its origins to the 30s BCE. Students read principal surviving works of the Roman Republican poetry and prose in the original Latin.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: LATN 4094
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 5404 (3) Special Project: Teaching

Trains students to prepare classroom-ready materials, which are then tested in the students' own classroom. Required of master's candidates (teaching of Latin option). Formerly CLAS 5404.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 5824 (3) Latin Teaching Methods: Open Topics

Covers specialized topics in Latin pedagogy specified in the online Schedule Planner.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: LATN 4824
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 6004 (3) Graduate Reading

Author or topic specified in the online Schedule Planner. Formerly CLAS 6004.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 6844 (1-3) Graduate Independent Study

Formerly CLAS 6844.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 7.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin

LATN 7014 (3) Graduate Seminar in Latin Literature

Formerly CLAS 7014.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 7.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Latin