Classics 206: Classical Influences On Western Art And Science

This course explores the legacy of ancient Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern art and science in later historical periods of Western culture. Through this exploration, students will be challenged to identify, analyze, and critique the roots of western culture to understand and interpret how classical cultures influence global arts and sciences past and present.

Themes
For this semester, two major themes structure the course and calendar. The first will be the intersections between art, geometry, and science as these influence the developments of Western visual art from the Classical period to the present. The second, and related, theme concerns the Western understanding of “chaos” from the Pre-Classical World to the present and its changing expressions in art and literature.

Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge of Classical societies and cultures
Examine, Analyze, and interpret ancient texts in translation
Compare and critique ancient Greek, Roman and/or Near Eastern societies and cultures to other societies and cultures
Evaluate the influence of the Classical tradition of art and science on later Western societies and cultures
Understand art and science as related forms of knowing the world