Courses in Art & Archaeology

Introduces the art and archaeology of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome, examining various ancient approaches to power, religion, death and the human body. Analyzes art, architecture, and everyday trash to learn about ancient humanity. Restricted to Freshmen and Sophomores.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with .
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ Gen Ed Diversity requirement (global perspective).
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Historical Context.
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Literature and the Arts.

Emphasizes the origin of the Egyptian culture, its importance, and its impact on other cultures. In addition, the different points of view of various scholars are discussed with a comparative study of the ancient Egyptian Culture and modern culture of Egypt and the Middle East.

Covers prehistoric Aegean through the fourth century B.C.E., considering architecture, pottery, painting, sculpture, and personal ornament. Societal customs such as use of space and burial patterns are considered as well as art and its uses, to help understand developments in Greek culture.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Literature and the Arts.

Introduces the monuments and sites of the ancient Roman world from the foundation of Rome (753 B.C.E.) to Constantine (306-337 C.E.). Emphasizes the relationship of art, architecture, and artifacts to the political, social, and religious institutions of Italy and the provinces. Formerly CLAS 3049.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Literature and the Arts.

Considers issues of vital importance to humans, both now and in ancient times. Topics such as food, death, sex, family, literacy, or power are explored to consider how ancient societal norms and attitudes evolved, and how they relate to modern culture. Draws on material and literary evidence to develop an understanding of the complexities of ancient life. Formerly CLAS 2009.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • May be repeated for up to a total of 6 credit hours. Multiple enrollment in the same term is allowed when the course is offered with multiple topics in the same term.
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Historical Context.
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Social Sciences. 

Introduces the towns and villas buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E. Explores the layout and decoration of ancient Roman houses, the variety of artifacts uncovered as evidence for daily life and the history of the excavations.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Historical Context.

Consider Death. It is a universal human phenomenon. Humans across time and space have caused, planned for, reacted to, and carried out death practices in extraordinarily different ways. Mortuary practice provides a fascinating insight into human history and culture in both the modern and ancient world.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ Gen Ed Social Sciences distribution requirement.
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Historical Context.

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.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with , and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

Explores the problems, theories and methods for understanding the iconography, styles, typologies, 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 ( or or or ).

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with and and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

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.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with and and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

A 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.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with , , , and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

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.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with , and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

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.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

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

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with , and (duplicate degree credit not available).
  • May be repeated for up to a total of 9 credit hours.
  • Multiple enrollment in the same term is allowed when the course is offered with multiple topics in the same term.

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.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

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.

  • 6 credits
  • Concurrent with and (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • Offered abroad only.
  • May be repeated for up to a total of 12 credit hours.
  • It is recommended that students have previously taken the following courses: or ; or ; or .

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 4420.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with , and (duplicate degree credit not granted).

Examines civilizations of the Iran-Iraq region 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 kingship. Explores notions of style, symbolism, visual rhetoric, text-image synthesis, patronage, creativity, and roles of artists.

  • 3 credits
  • Concurrent with , and (duplicate degree credit not granted).
  • It is recommended that students have previously taken the following courses: or .
  • Satisfies the .
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ Gen Ed Diversity requirement (global perspective).
  • Satisfies the College of Arts & Sciences’ in Human Diversity.

All texts are read in English translation.

  • 1-4 credits
  • May be repeated for up to a total of 7 credit hours.
  • Counts towards any Classics major or minor track.
  • Like all Independent Studies, this course does NOT satisfy any Gen Ed requirement.

Arts & Sciences Honors Course

  • 1-6 credits
  • Repeatable for up to 6 total credit hours.
  • Counts towards any Classics major track.
  • Like all Independent Studies, this course does NOT satisfy any Gen Ed requirement.

ALL CU Classics courses (but no Independent Studies) satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences’ Gen Ed Arts and Humanities distribution requirement. Further College requirements satisfied by individuals courses are noted in the description of the course in question.

Graduate Courses

CLAS 5099 (3) Ancient Greek Sculpture.
Same as CLAS 4099, ARTH 4099 and ARTH 5099. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5109 (3). Ancient Italian Painting.
Same as CLAS 4109 and ARTH 5109. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5119 (3). Roman Sculpture.
Same as CLAS 4119, ARTH 4119, and ARTH 5119. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5129 (3). Aegean Art and Archaeology.
Same as CLAS 4129, ANTH 4129, ARTH 4129, and ANTH 5129. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5139 (3). Greek Vase Painting.
Same as CLAS 4139, ARTH 4139, and ARTH 5139. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5149 (3). Greek Cities and Sanctuaries.
Same as CLAS 4149. Restricted to graduate students only.

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.) Same as ARTH 5159. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5169 (3). Topics in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology.
Same as CLAS 4169, ARTH 4169, and ARTH 5169. Restricted to graduate students only.

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. The course focuses on the Periklean period, considering ways in which it developed from earlier times and influenced later ones in Athens. Same as ARTH 5179. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5189 (3). City of Rome.
Explores in detail the architecture, sculptures, coins, frescos, 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. Will explore the impact of the early imperial period on later Roman phases of urban design and image making in the capital city. Same as ARTH 5189. Restricted to Graduate Students only.

CLAS 5199 (3). Roman Architecture.
Same as CLAS 4199 and ARTH 4199. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5209 (3). Classical Archaeological Field Methods.
Same as CLAS 4209 and ARTH 4209. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5229 (3) Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology.
Same as CLAS 4229 and ARTH 4229 and ARTH 5229. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5269 (3). Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East.
Same as CLAS 4269, ARTH 4269, and ARTH 5269. Restricted to graduate students only.

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. May be repeated once for credit, provided the topics are different. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 6109 (3). Topics in Narrative in the Ancient World.
Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 6109 (3). Topics inPower and Ideology in Achaemenid Persia.
Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 6109 (3). Topics in Critical Theory in Classical Archaeology.
Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 6119 (1-3). Graduate Independent Study in Classical Art and Archaeology.
May be repeated for a maximum of 7 credit hours. Restricted to graduate students only.

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. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours providing the topics are different. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 7109 (3). Topics in Greek Vase Painting.
Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 7109 (3).Topics in Topography of Rome.
Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 7109 (3).Topics in Historical Archaeology. 
R
estricted to graduate students only.