Undergrad Catalog StKate.edu

CLAS 3460

WOMEN IN GREECE AND ROME (4 cr.)

This course examines the evidence we have regarding the lives and societal position of women in the classical world from the Homeric epics through the Roman Empire. You read a variety of texts, including law cases, short stories, love letters, medical writings and manuals on estate management, as well as several Athenian plays. The course also deals with the visual arts and archeological evidence from the time period in order to convey as complete as possible a picture of women’s lives during these times. Writing and reflection on texts and images composes a substantial portion of each class period, as does reading these reflections aloud to one another, and critiquing the style and content of one another's writing. During the semester you also write a substantial research paper on the topic of your choice and deliver it as a class presentation. Departmental Statement on Writing for History Courses: The ability to absorb information and turn it into clear and thoughtful prose is the most important skill required to succeed in a History class. History is a nuanced and complex subject, and we therefore stress the importance of incorporating the writing process into the learning process. Students must develop the habit of articulating their understanding of the material in a clear and straightforward manner that simultaneously conveys information and interprets the relevance and importance of that information for the reader. Producing both long and short papers is an important part of our pedagogy, as are tests that require a large amount of writing. Also offered as HIST and WOST.