Director of Undergraduate Studies: Nicholas Kouchoukos, H 331,

834-4496, nkouchou@uchicago.edu

Administrative Assistant: Kathleen M. Fox, Cl 22B, 702-8514, kfox@midway.uchicago.edu

E-mail: classics-department@uchicago.edu

Program of Study

The program in Ancient Studies is a site for two different types of intellectual projects: the comparison of two or more ancient cultures along some general thematic problem or theme that they share (e.g., the effects of urbanization); or the study of cultural interrelation or interaction between one or more ancient cultures in the same historical period (e.g., the competition and collaboration of Greek and Persian cultures in western Anatolia in the fifth century B.C.E.). The category "ancient cultures" is defined with different chronological parameters in different areas: in Africa, the Mediterranean basin, Mesopotamia, and South Asia, "ancient" means pre-Islamic; in East Asia, "ancient" means pre-Song Dynasty; and in South and Central America, "ancient" means pre-Columbian.

Program Requirements

The program requires twelve courses on two or more ancient cultures, plus the B.A. Paper Seminar (ANST 29800) in which students complete a B.A. paper. Of the total thirteen courses, three must be in an ancient language and one must be the Ancient Studies Seminar (ANST 27100). This seminar is offered annually on a changing thematic topic of relevance to most of the ancient cultures studied in the program. Examples include "The Introduction of Writing and Literacy," "The Power of Images," and "Imperial Systems: Center and Periphery."

                                  3      three quarters of an ancient language at any level

                                  1      Ancient Studies Seminar (ANST 27100)

                                  8      courses cross listed in Ancient Studies in the history, law, philosophy, language, literature, religion, art, or archaeology of two or more different ancient cultures, with no more than five courses in the same culture

                                  1      B.A. Paper Seminar (ANST 29800)

                                  -       B.A. paper

                                13

B.A. Paper. Candidates for the B.A. degree in Ancient Studies are required to write a substantial B.A. paper. The purpose of the B.A. paper is to enable students to improve their research and writing skills and to give them an opportunity to focus their knowledge of the field upon an issue of their own choosing. By fifth week of Spring Quarter of their third year, students must submit to the Director of Undergraduate Studies a short statement proposing an area of research. This statement must be approved by a member of the Ancient Studies core faculty (see following section) who agrees to supervise the B.A. paper. At the same time, students should meet with the preceptor of the B.A. seminar to plan a program of research.

During Autumn Quarter of their fourth year, students are required to register for the B.A. Paper Seminar (ANST 29800). During the seminar they discuss research problems and compose preliminary drafts of their papers. Participants in the regular seminar meetings are expected to exchange criticism and ideas with each other and with the preceptor, as well as to take account of comments from their faculty readers. The grade for the B.A. seminar is identical to the grade for the B.A. paper and, therefore, is not reported until the B.A. paper has been submitted in Spring Quarter. The grade for the B.A. paper depends on participation in the seminar as well as on the quality of the paper.

The deadline for submitting the B.A. paper in final form is Friday of fifth week of Spring Quarter. This deadline represents the final, formal submission, and students should defend substantial drafts much earlier. Copies of the paper are to be submitted both to the faculty supervisor and to the seminar preceptor. Students who fail to meet the deadline may not be able to graduate in that quarter and will not be eligible for honors consideration.

Honors. To be eligible for honors, students must have (1) a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall and 3.5 or higher in the major and (2) a grade of A on the B.A. paper.

Advising. Each student will have a program adviser who is a member of the core faculty (see following section). The program adviser will, in many cases, become the supervisor for the B.A. paper. By Spring Quarter of their second year, each student is expected to have designed a program of study and to have submitted it to his or her program adviser and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. There are no specific requirements about the distribution of the eight main courses, beyond limiting them to courses cross listed as Ancient Studies courses, and beyond the stipulation that two or more different cultures must be studied and that there be no more than five courses in the same culture. Individual program advisers and the Director of Undergraduate Studies will see to it that each student is exposed to as many as possible of the methodologies or areas of evidence that are generally summarized above as "history, law, philosophy, language, literature, religion, art, or archaeology." Courses in ancient languages beyond the program requirement can be used to meet both course and distribution requirements. General education sequences cannot, however, be used to meet course requirements in this area, but they can (upon appeal to the Director of Undergraduate Studies) be used to meet the distribution requirement that two or more ancient cultures be studied.

Grading. Courses may be taken on a P/F basis with consent of instructor except that students majoring in Ancient Studies must receive quality grades in all courses aimed at meeting the requirements of the degree program.

Faculty

D. Allen, M. Dietler, H. Dik, P. Dorman, C. A. Faraone, M. Fishbane,
T. Frymer-Kensky, M. Gibson, G. Gragg, J. Hall, D. Harper, J. Johnson, N. Kouchoukos,
B. Lincoln, K. D. Morrison, I. Mueller, R. S. Nelson, M. C. Nussbaum, D. Pardee,
S. Pollock, J. Redfield, R. K. Ritner, M. Roth, R. Saller, D. Schloen, E. Shaughnessy,
A. T. Smith, J. Z. Smith, P. White, T. Wilkinson, H. Wu, A. Yener

Courses: Ancient Studies (anst)

20400. Who Were the Greeks? (=CLAS 30400, CLCV 20400, HIST 20701/30701) If the current resurgence of interest in ethnic studies is a direct reflection of a contemporary upsurge in ethnic conflict throughout the world, it remains the case that notions of peoplehood and belonging have been of periodic importance throughout history. This course covers the various expressions of Greek identity within shifting political, social, and cultural contexts from prehistory to the present day, though with a strong emphasis on classical antiquity. Particular attention is given to theoretical issues such as anthropological definitions of ethnicity, the difference between ethnic and cultural identities, methods for studying ethnicity in historical societies, and the intersection of ethnicity with politics. J. Hall. Autumn.

20700-20800-20900. Ancient Mediterranean World I, II, III. Available as a three-quarter sequence (Autumn, Winter, Spring) or as a two-quarter sequence (Autumn, Winter; or Winter, Spring). This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. This sequence surveys the social, economic, and political history of Greece to the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.) in Autumn Quarter; the Roman Republic (527 to 59 B.C.) in Winter Quarter; and concludes in Spring Quarter with the five centuries between the establishment of imperial autocracy in 27 B.C. and the fall of the Western empire in the fifth century A.D.

20700. Ancient Mediterranean World I. (=CLCV 20700, HIST 16700) This course surveys the social, economic, and political history of Greece from prehistory down to the Hellenistic period. The main topics considered include the development of the institutions of the Greek city-state, the Persian Wars and the rivalry of Athens and Sparta, the social and economic consequences of the Peloponnesian War, and the eclipse and defeat of the city-states by the Macedonians. Autumn.

20800. Ancient Mediterranean World II. (=CLCV 20800, HIST 16800) This course surveys the social, economic, and political history of Rome, from its prehistoric beginnings in the twelfth century B.C.E. to the political crisis following the death of Nero in 69 C.E. Throughout, the focus is upon the dynamism and adaptability of Roman society, as it moved from a monarchy to a republic to an empire, and the implications of these political changes for structures of competition and cooperation within the community. R. Saller. Winter.

20900. Ancient Mediterranean World III. (=CLCV 20900, HIST 16900) This quarter surveys the five centuries between the establishment of imperial autocracy in 27 B.C. and the fall of the Western empire in the fifth century A.D. W. Kaegi. Spring.

21150. Greek Drama in Translation. (=CLAS 34300, CLCV 24300) We examine the cultural, historical, religious, and performance contexts of Classical Greek drama. We read selections from the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes, probably including The Oresteia, The Oedipus Plays, Medea, The Trojan Women, The Iphigenia Plays, and Lysistrata. Texts in English. D. N. Rudall. Winter.

21200. History and Theory of Drama I. (=CLAS 31200, CLCV 21200, CMLT 20500/30500, ENGL 13800/31000, ISHU 24200/34200) May be taken in sequence with ENGL 13900/31100 or individually. This course is a survey of major trends and theatrical accomplishments in Western drama from the ancient Greeks through the Renaissance: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, medieval religious drama, Marlowe, Shakespeare, and Jonson, along with some consideration of dramatic theory by Aristotle, Horace, Sir Philip Sidney, and Dryden. The goal is not to develop acting skill but, rather, to discover what is at work in the scene and to write up that process in a somewhat informal report. Students have the option of writing essays or putting on short scenes in cooperation with other members of the class. End-of-week workshops, in which individual scenes are read aloud dramatically and discussed, are optional but highly recommended. D. Bevington, D. N. Rudall. Autumn.

21300-21400-21500. History of the Ancient Near East I, II, III. (=NEHC 20001-20002-20003/30001-30002-30003) Available as a three-quarter sequence or as a two-quarter sequence (Autumn, Winter; or Winter, Spring). This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. This sequence surveys the history of the ancient Near East from ca. 3400 B.C. to the Islamic conquest (seventh century of the modern era). Areas covered include Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria-Palestine, Iran, and Egypt. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

21300. History of the Ancient Near East I: Egypt. (=NEHC 20001/30001) This survey covers the political, social, and economic history of ancient Egypt from pre-dynastic times until the advent of Islam. J. Johnson, R. Ritner, Staff. Autumn.

21400. History of the Ancient Near East II: Mesopotamia. (=NEHC 20002/30002) This survey provides an introduction to the history of Mesopotamia: from the origins of writing and cities in Sumer (ca. 3200 B.C.); up through the great empires of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia; to the arrival of Alexander the Great in the late fourth century B.C. S. Richardson. Winter.

21500. History of the Ancient Near East III: Anatolia and Levant. (=NEHC 20003/30003) This survey covers the political, social, and economic history of ancient Anatolia and the Levant (Syria-Palestine) from ca. 2300 B.C. until the beginning of the Hellenistic period. D. Schloen, T. van den Hout. Spring.

21510-21520-21530. Art and Archaeology of the Near East I, II, III. (=NEAA 20001-20002-20003/30001-30002-30003) This sequence surveys the art and archaeology of the Near East from prehistoric times into the Islamic periods. Areas covered include Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Iran, and the Levant (Syria-Palestine). Autumn, Winter, Spring. Not offered 2005-06; will be offered 2006-07.

21901. Method and Theory in Near Eastern Archaeology. (=NEAA 20051/30051) This course introduces the main issues in archaeological method and theory with emphasis on the principles and practice of Near Eastern archaeology. Topics are (1) the history of archaeology, (2) trends in social theory and corresponding modes of archaeological interpretation, (3) the nature of archaeological evidence and issues of research design, (4) survey and excavation methods and associated recording techniques, (5) the analysis and interpretation of various kinds of excavated materials, and (6) the presentation and publication of archaeological results. D. Schloen. Spring.

23200. History of Philosophy I: Ancient Philosophy. (=CLCV 22600, PHIL 25000) PQ: Completion of the general education requirement in humanities. This course is an examination of ancient Greek philosophical texts that are foundational for Western philosophy, especially the work of Plato and Aristotle. Topics include the nature and possibility of knowledge and its role in human life, the nature of the soul, virtue, happiness, and the human good. G. Lear. Autumn.

23500. Tablets and Trash: Materials of Ancient Near Eastern History. (=NEHC 20006/30006) Assyriologists, Egyptologists, Hittitologists, and other scholars of the ancient Near East must often deal with a bewildering array of materials to reconstruct the histories they write. This course introduces students to the materials for writing ancient Near Eastern history and some of their uses, problems, and pitfalls. Students have hands-on encounters with collections of the Oriental Institute Museum, such as clay cuneiform tablets and other inscribed materials. S. Richardson. Autumn.

23510. Babylonian Knowledge. (=NEHC 20007/30007) Outside and before the Greco-Roman ecumene, how did ancient peoples know their world? This course introduces the major categories of knowledge created and employed in ancient Assyria and Babylonia. Topics include time and history, cosmologies and geographies, omens and cults, medicine and magic, myth and literature, law and justice, and forms of economy and social identity. Course work emphasizes reading (and writing on) primary sources. Texts in English. S. Richardson. Spring.

24101-24102-24103. Egyptian Archaeology I, II, III. (=NEAA 20221-20222-20223/30221-30222-30223) May be taken in sequence or individually. This sequence provides a thorough survey in lecture format of the art and archaeology of ancient Egypt from the late pre-dynastic era through the Roman period, ca. 3200 B.C.E. to 395 C.E.

24101. Egyptian Archaeology I. (=NEAA 20221/30221) This course covers the archaeology of pharaonic Egypt from its origins in the late pre-dynastic cultures of Upper and Lower Egypt, through the consolidation of the Egyptian state in ca. 3100 B.C.E., the development of complexity during the Old Kingdom, the collapse of centralization during the First Intermediate Period, and the rebirth of Pharaonic traditions in the Middle Kingdom (ending ca. 1650 B.C.E.). S. Harvey. Winter.

24102. Egyptian Archaeology II. (=NEAA 20222/30222) This course examines the art and archaeology of Egypt within the broad international context of the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, equivalent to the Second Intermediate Period and New Kingdom in Egypt. Major topics include the archaeology of the Hyksos (Canaanite) occupiers at Avaris; the rise of Thebes; the city of el-Amarna; urbanism and settlement patterns; Egyptian imperialism; and religious ideology, iconography, and economy. S. Harvey. Winter.

24103. Egyptian Archaeology III. (=NEAA 20223/30223) This course surveys the art and archaeology of the later periods of Pharaonic culture ca. 1065 B.C.E. to 395 C.E., from the Third Intermediate Period through the Roman era. Major sites and topics include the archaeology of Tanis, the Kushite (Nubian) occupation of Dynasty 25, the archaeology of Delta cities, the Greek colony at Naukratis, Greco-Roman Memphis, Late Period Thebes, and ancient Alexandria. Issues of ethnic identity and plurality (as well as of tradition, archaism and innovation) receive particular attention. S. Harvey. Spring.

24500. The Egyptian Pyramids. (=NEAA 20208) Prior knowledge of Egyptology or archaeology not required. Enrollment preference given to first- and second-year students. This course is intended for students with a curiosity about the form, meaning, and interpretation of the Egyptian pyramids, which have long been a site of speculation and fantasy. By considering the history of their exploration and excavation, we also consider modern interpretations and controversies. How were the largest pyramids built, by whom, and for whom? What place have they occupied in Egyptian and Western culture after the age of the pharaohs? Through readings, museum visits, lectures, and films, we attempt to situate these monumental structures within both ancient and modern contexts. S. Harvey. Spring.

24700 Ancient Celtic Societies. (=ANTH 26100/46500) This course explores the prehistoric societies of Iron Age "Celtic" Europe and their relationship to modern communities claiming Celtic ancestry. The course aims to impart an understanding of (1) the kinds of evidence available for investigating these ancient societies and how archaeologists interpret these data, (2) processes of change in culture and society during the Iron Age, and (3) how the legacy of Celtic societies has both persisted and been reinvented and manipulated in the modern world. M. Dietler. Autumn.

27100. Ancient Studies Seminar. (=CLCV 27100) The content of this annual seminar changes, but its focus is the interdisciplinary exploration of general themes across ancient societies. Its aim is to teach students how to combine historical, literary, and material evidence in their study of the ancient world. Spring.

28300. Ephron Seminar. (=CLCV 28300) The goal of this annual seminar of changing context is to promote innovative course design. Examples of past topics are gender, death, violence, and law in the ancient world. Spring.

29700. Reading Course. PQ: Consent of faculty sponsor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29800. B.A. Paper Seminar. Students register for one quarter. Participation is required in both quarters. This seminar is designed to teach students research and writing skills necessary for writing their B.A. paper. Lectures cover classical bibliography, research tools, and electronic databases. Students discuss research problems and compose preliminary drafts of their B.A. papers. They are expected to exchange criticism and ideas in regular seminar meetings with the preceptor and with other students who are writing papers, as well as to take account of comments from their faculty readers. The grade for the B.A. seminar is identical to the grade for the B.A. paper and, therefore, is not reported until the B.A. paper has been submitted in Spring Quarter. The grade for the B.A. paper depends on participation in the seminar as well as on the quality of the paper. Autumn, Winter.