Course Descriptions
COURSE TITLE: Beginning Latin 1/2 & 2/2
Introduction to basic grammar, syntax and vocabulary for the purpose of
reading and translating simple latin passages. These passages will be
concerned with Roman customs, myths, and history. The student will be
introduced to Roman civilization and our own indebtedness to it.
Beginning Latin is a two quarter course.
COURSE TITLE: Intermediate Latin 1/2 & 2/2
Review of basic materials of Latin I followed by introduction and
development of further grammar, syntax and vocabulary. The reading will
be that of authentic classical Latin authors (either Caesar or Corneilus
Rufus). Intermediate Latin is a two quarter course.
COURSE TITLE: Latin Advanced Placement (Vergil)
This is a three-quarter sequence preparing students to take the
Advanced Placement exam. Vergil's Aeneid is the chief
focus.
COURSE TITLE: Greek
Introduction to Classical Greek language, literature, and culture.
Similar in scope to the Beginning and Intermediate latin courses, one
quater. Textbook at present is Introduction to Attic Greek by
Mastronarde.
COURSE TITLE: Biblical Literature
This course examines historical background, Biblical exegesis,
select biblical works (i.e., the gospel of Luke, the Apocalypse, Genesis,
the Apocrypha, etc.) and the impact of the Bible throughout history. A
combination of lecture and discussion format is used.
COURSE TITLE: Roman Civilization
The course serves as an introduction to Roman civilization,
emphasizing the imperial period-- the time of the so-called "Caesar."
Judging from a report on the teaching of Roman history in a current issue
of The Classical Outlook, our course is one of the few in the U.S.
that does emphasize the emperors. this is a state of affairs that is
acceptable in regards to the classical literature, but not all in regards
to the impact of Roman civilization overall.
For the first part of the course, we use a text from England titled
These Were the Romans. This serves as a text on the civilization
o Rome and therby a perparation for examinig the history of the empire.
In the second part of the course, we use my lecture notes, some taped
materials, and the text, The Byzantint Empire. The text,
recently reissued with students in mind is helpful for the later
emperors.
COURSE TITLE: Church history
The course examines the history of the Christian Church. My plans
for the course, as well as my professional preparation, allow for
differen emphases when the course is offered again; i.e., one quarter
study may focus on the early patristic period, whie another may see the
emphasis on the Reformation. In the former case, Eusebius'
Ecclesiastical History and Tugwell's The Apostolic Fathers
Reformation of the Sixteenth Century and Hughes' A Popular
History of the Reformation.
Requirements: Quizzes on readings, two exams, and one major
essay.
COURSE TITLE: Ancient Faith and Philosophy
The course explores the Jewish/Christian/Islamic concepts of
"heaven" and "hell". it also allows for and encourages discussion of
similar concepts from certain other traditions (Jain, Hinduism, Manichaeism).
Jewish and Christian(whether Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox) teachings
make up the core of our discussions. Excerpts from the following serve
as texts; Gregory of Nyssa's On the Immortality of the Soul and
The Resurrection, Dante's Inferno, and Milton's
Paradise Lost. One feature of the course is the students'
aquaintance with the allegorical method of biblical interpretation
favored by the so-called "Alexandrian school." Following this, they are
able to compare/contrast other methods of discussing the important
biblical texts on the "hereafter."
COURSE TITLE: Great Figures of the Ancient World
This course concentrates on a leading personality/personalities of
Greece, Rome, and Early Christianity of especial interest to the
instructor and/or students. Examples are; Constantine, Nero, Jerome,
Alexander, Augustine, Tertullian, Claudius, et.al. May be taught on a
tutorial basis.
