CANES Courses

The language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East are the primary subjects of study in the Department of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at UW–Madison.

Our department and its affiliated faculty offer language instruction in Greek and Latin, as well as courses in literature in translation, civilization and society, art and archaeology, history, philosophy, and political science. Our course offerings include everything from mythology and ancient religions to sex and gender and even monsters.

Featured Courses

Summer 2025

Fall 2025

Classics

Classics 102
- Section 001: Pop Culture – Alex Dressler
- Section 002: Sports & Spectacles (FIG) – Alice Gaber
Classics 120: Fakes, Forgeries, & Ethical Problems in Classical Antiquities – William Aylward
Classics 150: Monsters – William Brockliss
Classics 270: Classical Mythology – Tara Mulder
Classics 300: Art & Archaeology of Ancient Greece – Nick Cahill
Classics 308: Sexual Violence In Antiquity – Chontel Syfox
Classics 320: The Greeks – Jeffrey Beneker
Classics 340: Ancient Conspiracy – Grant Nelsestuen
Classics 373: Sex, Gender, & The History of Medicine – Tara Mulder
Classics 420: Ancient Texts, Modern Contexts – Laura McClure

Greek

Greek 103/303: First Semester Greek – Chontel Syfox
Greek 305: Intermediate Greek – Alice Gaber
Greek 401: Reading in Greek Literature – Jeffrey Beneker
Greek 910: Poetry – Laura McClure

Latin

Latin 103: Elementary Latin – Instructor TBA
Latin 305: Intermediate Latin – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 401: Advanced Latin – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 519: Flavian Epic – William Brockliss

Summer 2025

Classics

Classics 101: Classics & Pop Culture – Julia Perroni
Classics 102: Topics in Literature (Online)
- Witches, Bandits, Cultists, and Slaves: Ancient Rome Beyond Emperors and Gladiators – Hakan Özlen
- Bodies, Bodies, Bodies – Kate Melberg
- Myth and Magic in Young Adult Literature – Marissa Gurtler
Classics 205: Greek & Latin Medical Terminology (Online) – Isabel Cooperman
Classics 270: Classical Mythology (Online) – Emma English
Classics 300: Art & Archaeology of Ancient Greece (Online) – Ehsan Behbahani-Nia
Classics 320: The Greeks (Online) – Alice Gaber
Classics 322: The Romans (Online) – Owen Campbell

Spring 2025

Classics

Classics 102: Sports & Spectacles – Alice Gaber
Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terminology – Julia Horn
Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature – Chontel Syfox
Classics 270: Classical Mythology – William Aylward
Classics 304: The Art & Archaeology of Ancient Rome – William Aylward
Classics 315: Africana Approaches to Biblical Interpretation – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 322: The Romans – Alice Gaber
Classics 361: Sex and Power in Greece and Rome – Alex Dressler
Classics 362: Athenian Democracy – Claire Taylor
Classics 373: Topics in Classical Culture
- Section 001: Slavery – Katie Dennis
- Section 002: Palmyra – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 420: Ancient Texts, Modern Contexts – Laura McClure
Classics 517: Ancient Religion – Jeffrey Beneker
Classics 523: Palmyra & the Palmyranes – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 591: Literature of the Roman Empire – Chontel Syfox
Classics 900: Advanced Seminar in Theory and Methodology
– Tara Mulder

Greek

Greek 104/304: Second Semester Greek – Alice Gaber
Greek 306: Intermediate Greek – Laura McClure
Greek 571: Xenophon & Plutarch – Jeffrey Beneker

Latin

Latin 104: Elementary Latin – Instructor TBA
Latin 306: Intermediate Latin – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 391: Intensive Latin – Instructor TBA
Latin 519: Poetry – Katie Dennis

Fall 2024

Classics

Classics 101: Greek & Roman Sports (FIG) – Alice Gaber
Classics 102: Pop Culture – Alex Dressler (Hybrid)
Classics 103: Nature, Race & Human Difference – Katie Dennis
Classics 150: Monsters – Will Brockliss
Classics 300: The Art & Archaeology of Ancient Greece – William Aylward
Classics 308: Sexual Violence in Antiquity – Chontel Syfox
Classics 320: The Greeks – Jeff Beneker
Classics 321: Egyptians – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 322: The Romans – Katie Dennis
Classics 335: King David – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 351: Sex & Gender – Laura McClure
Classics 488: Greeks, Romans, and the Natural Environment – Will Brockliss

Greek

Greek 103/303: First Semester Greek – Chontel Syfox
Greek 305: Intermediate Greek – Alice Gaber
Greek 401: Reading in Greek Literature – Julia Horn
Greek 521: Greek Tragedy – Laura McClure

Latin

Latin 103: Elementary Latin – TBA
Latin 305: Intermediate Latin – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 401: Advanced Latin – Vanessa Schmitz Siebertz
Latin 524: TBA – TBA
Latin 950: Oratory – Grant Nelsestuen

Summer 2024

Classics

Classics 102: Topics in CANES (Literature)
- Section 1: Bodies, Bodies, Bodies – Kate Melberg
- Section 2: Ancient & Modern Gardens – Marina Grochocki
Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Andrea Samz-Pustol
Classics 270: Classical Mythology – Julia Perroni
Classics 320: The Greeks – Alice Gaber
Classics 322: The Romans – Marissa Gurtler

Spring 2024

Classics

Classics 100: Legacy of Greece & Rome in Modern Culture – Alice Gaber
Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Marissa Gurtler, Andrea Samz-Pustol
Classics 270: Classical Mythology – Jeff Beneker
Classics 315: Africana Approaches to Bible – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 322: The Romans (Comm B) – Katie Dennis
Classics 351: Women and Gender in the Classical World – Laura McClure
Classics 430: Troy – Myth & Reality – William Aylward
Classics 488: Greeks, Romans, and the Natural Environment – Will Brockliss
Classics 517: Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean – Jeff Beneker
Classics 591: Literature of the Roman Empire (Undergraduate Seminar) – William Aylward
Classics 900: Methods – Katie Dennis

Greek

Greek 104/304: Second Semester Greek – Alice Gaber
Greek 306: Intermediate Greek – Laura McClure
Greek 510: Homer – Will Brockliss

Latin

Latin 104: Elementary Latin – Instructor TBA
Latin 306: Intermediate Latin – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 391: Intensive Latin – Instructor TBA
Latin 520: Roman Drama – Alex Dressler

Fall 2023

Classics

Classics 101: Nature, Race, and Human Difference – Katie Dennis
Classics 110: The Ancient Mediterranean – Marc Kleijwegt
Classics 150: Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters – William Brockliss
Classics 206: Classical Influences on Western Art and Science – Mike Vanden Heuvel
Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature (in English) – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 300/700: The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece – Nick Cahill
Classics 323: The Bible and Film – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 340: Conspiracy in the Ancient and Modern Worlds – Grant Nelsestuen
Classics 420: Ancient Texts, Modern Contexts – Laura McClure

Greek

Greek 103/303: First Semester Ancient Greek – Instructor TBA
Greek 305: Third Semester Ancient Greek – Instructor TBA
Greek 401: Attic Orators – Laura McClure
Greek 930: Seminar – History – Jeff Beneker

Latin

Latin 103: First Semester Latin – Instructor TBA
Latin 305: Third Semester Latin – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 401: Readings in Latin Literature – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 519: Latin Poetry – Katie Dennis
Latin 563: Medieval Latin – Alex Dressler

Summer 2023

Classics

Classics 205: Greek & Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Andrea Samz-Pustol

Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature – Chontel Syfox

Classics 322: The Romans – Marissa Gurtler

Classics 351: Women and Gender in the Classical World – Marina Cavichiolo

Classics 361: Sex and Power in Greece and Rome – Kate Melberg

Classics 370: Classical Mythology – Gabriel Arango

Spring 2023

Classics

Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Andrea Samz-Pustol
Classics 304: The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome – William Aylward
Classics 308: Sex and Violence in the Ancient Near East – Chontel Syfox
Classics 321: The Egyptians: History, Society, and Literature – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 322: The Romans – Alice Gaber
Classics 335: King David in History and Tradition – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 370: Classical Mythology – William Aylward
Classics 591: Undergraduate Seminar: Approaches to the Classical World – Chontel Syfox
Classics 830: Advanced History of Philosophy – Paula Gottlieb

Greek

Greek 104/304: Second Semester Greek – Alice Gaber
Greek 306: Intermediate Greek – William Brockliss
Greek 560: Hellenistic Greek – Alice Gaber

Latin

Latin 204: Introduction to Latin Literature – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 302: Latin Literature of the Roman Empire – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 549: Latin Philosophical Writers – Alex Dressler

Fall 2022

Classics

Classics 100: Legacy of Greece and Rome in Modern Culture – Instructor TBA

Classics 150: Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters – Will Brockliss

Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature (in English) – Chontel Syfox

Classics 300: The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece – William Aylward

Classics 320: The Greeks – Jeff Beneker

Classics 351: Women and Gender in the Classical World – Laura McClure

Classics 372: Topics in Roman Culture – Instructor TBA

Greek

Greek 103: Elementary Ancient Greek (1st semester) – Chontel Syfox
Greek 305: Intermediate Ancient Greek (3rd semester) – William Brockliss
Greek 520: Greek Comedy – Laura McClure

Latin

Latin 103: Elementary Latin (1st semester)
Latin 203: Intermediate Latin (3rd semester) – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 301: Latin Literature of the Roman Republic
Latin 519: Catullus – Grant Nelsestuen

Summer 2022

Classics

Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Matthew Taylor

Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature – Chontel Syfox

Classics 322: The Romans

Classics 370: Classical Mythology

Spring 2022

Classics

Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms

Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature – Chontel Syfox

Classics 304: The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome – William Aylward

Classics 322: The Romans – Alex Dressler

Classics 361: Sex and Power in Greece and Rome – Alex Dressler

Classics 370: Classical Mythology – William Aylward

Classics 373: Deep River: Africana Approaches to Biblical Interpretation – Jeremy Hutton

Classics 488: Greeks, Romans and the Natural Environment – William Brockliss

Classics 591: Undergraduate Seminar: Approaches to the Classical World

Classics 900: Advanced Seminar in Theory and Methodology – Chontel Syfox

Greek

Greek 104: Second Semester Greek – Jeffrey Beneker
Greek 306: Intermediate Greek (4th semester)
Greek 511: Hesiod – Jeffrey Beneker

Latin

Latin 104: Elementary Latin (2nd semester)

Latin 204: Introduction to Latin Literature (4th semester) – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz

Latin 302: Latin Literature Of The Roman Empire (6th semester)

Latin 391: Elementary Intensive Latin (1st & 2nd semesters)

Latin 539: Tacitus – Grant Nelsestuen

Fall 2021

Classics

Classics 110: The Ancient Mediterranean – Marc Kleijwegt
Classics 150: Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters – William Brockliss
Classics 206: Classical Influences on Western Art and Science – Mike Vanden Heuvel
Classics 300: The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece – William Aylward
Classics 308: Sex and Violence in the Ancient Near East – Chontel Syfox
Classics 320: The Greeks – Jeffrey Beneker
Classics 321: The Egyptians – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 351: Women and Gender in the Classical World – Laura McClure
Classics 371: Fall of Rome, Rise of Christianity – Alex Dressler
Classics 373 (FIG): Ancient Medicine – James McKeown
Classics 373 (Lec 003): Hebrew Literature from the Bible to the Present – Marina Zilbergerts

Greek

Greek 103: Elementary Ancient Greek (1st semester) – Chontel Syfox
Greek 305: Intermediate Ancient Greek (3rd semester) – James McKeown
Greek 512: Greek Lyric Poets – William Brockliss

See our Greek course offerings in the Enrollment Tool

Latin

Latin 103: Elementary Latin (1st semester)
Latin 203: Intermediate Latin (3rd semester) – Vanessa Schmitz-Siebertz
Latin 301: Latin Literature of the Roman Republic – Grant Nelsestuen
Latin 524: Roman Novel – Alex Dressler

See our Latin course offerings in the Enrollment Tool

Summer 2021

Classics

Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Matthew Taylor
Classics 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature – Samson Olanrewaju
Classics 322: The Romans – Amie Goblirsch
Classics 370: Classical Mythology – Alex Dressler

Spring 2021

Classics

Classics 205: Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms – Matthew Taylor
Classics 304: The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome – Nick Cahill
Classics 322: The Romans – Grant Nelsestuen
Classics 361: Sex and Power in Greece and Rome – Alex Dressler
Classics 370: Classical Mythology – Jeffrey Beneker
Classics 373 (Lec 1): Greeks, Romans and the Natural Environment – Will Brockliss
Classics 373 (Lec 2): Bible and Film – Jeremy Hutton
Classics 373 (Lec 3): Ancient Warfare – James McKeown
Classics 591: Undergraduate Seminar: Approaches to the Classical World – James McKeown

Graduate students only

Classics 970: Greek and Roman Epic – Will Brockliss

See our Classics course offerings in the Enrollment Tool

Greek

Greek 104: Second Semester Greek – Hanna Golab
Greek 306: Intermediate Greek (4th semester) – James McKeown
Greek 551: Attic Orators – Jeffrey Beneker

See our Greek course offerings in the Enrollment Tool

Hebrew Bible

Hebrew-Bible 104: Elementary Biblical Hebrew, II (2nd semester) – Jesse Pruett
Hebrew-Bible 324: Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, II (4th semester) – Jesse Pruett

See our Hebrew Bible course offerings in the Enrollment Tool