Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces the religions of ancient Greece and Rome. Archaeological materials, ancient texts (in translation) and art are used to examine Graeco-Roman religions within their historical framework and understand how ancient peoples experienced religion. Examines the extent to which specific social, political and cultural developments impacted the religious landscape. Students with credit for HS 232 or HUM 216 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides a basic introduction to Greco-Roman religions. Emphasis is placed on the development of Greek and Roman religions within their historical framework through an analysis all of the available source materials from each period (archaeology, literary texts, art history, etc..). Special attention is given to close readings of ancient sources (in translation), which give us a glimpse as to how ancient themselves experienced religion. The course also focuses on both the continuities and changes in the religious expression of in ancient Greece and Rome, and the extent to which specific social, political and cultural developments impacted the religious landscape of the periods in question. In addition, students will become familiar with the standard terminology in the study of ancient religions – such as, “religion”, “myth”, ritual”, etc. – and apply these theoretical concepts to a comparative study of ancient and modern religions. We will also engage in a comparative analysis of the religions of Greece and Rome and explore the ways in which the polytheistic world came to become monotheistic (i.e. the rise of Christianity).

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: