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University Bulletin: Undergraduate Programs 2003-2004 The George Washington University  

 
    
 
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Classical and Semitic Languages and Literatures

Professor E.A. Fisher

Associate Professors E.H. Cline (Chair), Y. Peleg

Assistant Professors M.D. Ticktin, M. Esseesy, E.A. Friedland, A.M. Smith

Teaching Instructors S. Marcus, N. Taher, J.J. Tobkin, M.M. Kassab

Adjunct Professor E. Lupu

Bachelor of Arts with a major in classical studies—The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

2. Prerequisite courses—Latn 1—2, 3—4 or Grek 1—2, 3—4.

3. Required courses in the major—Clas 71, 72, 119, and 120, plus 24 credit hours of which at least 12 credits are 100-level Greek, Latin, or approved classical studies courses and at most 12 credits are selected from designated courses offered by the Departments of Anthropology, English, Fine Arts/Art History, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religion (see www.gwu.edu/~csll/classics.htm). In all cases, cross-listed courses may be substituted, e.g., Clas 119/Hist 109.

Special Honors—In addition to the general requirements stated under University Regulations, in order to be considered for graduation with Special Honors, a student must (1) have attained a 3.7 grade-point average in the major and at least a 3.25 average overall by the end of the junior year, and (2) no later than the beginning of the senior year consult a departmental faculty member about a research project to be prepared under the supervision of that faculty member through Clas 185—86. Only if a committee of two faculty members approves the completed project will Special Honors be recommended; the research project must be graded A or A-.

Minor in classical studies—(a) 6 credit hours selected from Latn 1—2 or Grek 1—2; (b) 9 credit hours selected from Latn 3—4 or Grek 3—4, 103, 104; Clas 71, 72, 105, 107, 113, 117, 118, 119, 120, 127, 170, 185, 186; (c) 6 credit hours selected from AH 101, 102; Hist 107, 108, 109, 110.

Minor in Semitic languages and cultures—The student chooses the minor either with an Arabic focus or a Hebrew focus. The minor consists of 15 credits in addition to prerequisite language study or demonstrated competence through the fourth semester (Arab 4 or Hebr 4) in the primary focus and through the second semester (Arab 2 or Hebr 2) in the other focus. Depending upon the focus chosen, the student completes either Arab 103, 104, and 105 or Hebr 103, 104, and 105, plus two courses chosen from Clas 100, 101, 102, 103, with at least one course in the student’s chosen focus.

 

CLASSICAL STUDIES (in English)

63 Medical Terms from Greek and Latin (3) Staff
  Mastery of medical terminology by learning word elements from Greek and Latin and the principles that govern both the formation of medical words and the derivation of their meanings.
71 Greek Culture and Civilization (3) Staff
  Study of ancient Greek civilization with focus on public and private life as seen primarily through literature. (Fall)
72 Roman Culture and Civilization (3) Staff
  Study of Roman civilization with focus on public and private life as seen primarily through literature. (Spring)
81 Classical Islamic Literature (3) Staff
  A survey of pre-modern Islamic literature, including translations of poetry, prose, popular literature, and selections from the Quran. Topics such as mysticism, court literature, travel literature, urban mercantile literature are explored from the Arabic, Persian, and Turkish/Ottoman traditions.
100 Modern Hebrew Literary Classics (3) Staff
  Prose and poetry of a century of writing from the beginning of the Hebrew literary renaissance to contemporary Israeli literature, including works of Bialik, Agnon, Hazaz, Amichai, Oz, and Yehoshua. Discussions stress historical development and authors’ treatments of tradition and modernity.
101 Israeli Society and Culture: Literary Perspectives (3) Staff
  A study of literature reflecting such contemporary issues as the conflict between the "builders’ generation" and their children; the cultural contacts of Ashkenazim and Sefardim; image of the Arab; impact of the Holocaust; Zionist ideals and current realities. (Fall)
102 Arabic and Arab Identity (3) Esseesy
  History of the Arabic language from pre-Islamic times and its subsequent spread into contiguous regions. The role of the Arabic language in formulating the ideology of Arab nationalism and identity.
103 Arab Film and Culture (3) Esseesy
  Historical survey of Arab cinema and its expression of Arab culture.
105 Special Topics (3) Staff
  Topics in Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Roman, and Yiddish literature; topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs.
107 Mythology of the Classical World (3) Staff
  The creation of the world, the nature of the gods, and the adventures of heroes as described in various Greek and Roman literary sources (e.g., epic, drama, hymns) and as shown in ancient art. (Fall)
113 Greek and Roman Drama (3) Staff
  Study of Greek and Roman tragedy and comedy; the nature and setting of dramatic performance in classical antiquity.
117 The Ancient Near East and Egypt to 322 B.C. (3) Cline
  Same as Hist 107.
118 History of Ancient Israel (3) Cline
  Same as Hist 108.
119 Early Aegean and Greek Civilizations to 338 B.C. (3) Staff
  Same as Hist 109.
120 The Roman World to 337 A.D. (3) Staff
  Same as Hist 110.
127 The Classical World in Modern Life (3) Ziolkowski
  A survey of Greek and Roman influence on Western civilization, especially in architecture, language, literature, and science. Prerequisite: a course in classical literature or history.
170 Sex and Gender in the Classical World (3) Staff
  In-depth study and discussion of readings from ancient and modern sources on women and gender difference in Greek and Roman society.
185—86 Directed Project (1, 2, or 3) Staff
  Individual advanced reading or research, to be arranged with a member of the faculty. May be repeated for credit. Admission by permission of instructor and department.
 

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© 2009 University Bulletin
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Information in this bulletin is generally accurate as of fall 2008. The University reserves the right to change courses, programs, fees, and the academic calendar, or to make other changes deemed necessary or desirable, giving advance notice of change when possible.