Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Greek and Roman Studies

Faculty

Heather Waddell, chair

The department of Greek and Roman studies seeks to demonstrate the joy of lifelong learning – a classic liberal arts value that includes the ancient concept of balance in all activities. The department emphasizes growth in critical thinking skills and communication within a variety of cultural contexts. All majors call upon students to develop a breadth of knowledge and in-depth expertise in particular fields.

The Latin program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

  • in-depth knowledge of grammar and syntax, without which the other goals are not possible
  • familiarity with the primary and secondary sources available for doing research in the area of classical studies
  • knowledge of the major writings with which a baccalaureate graduate in classics is expected to be familiar
  • awareness of the place of classical studies in present-day American education

The Greek and Roman Studies department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

  • knowledge of the breadth of topics covered in what has become known in current American education as classical studies
  • familiarity with the literature of the Greeks and Romans and the influence of the ancients on our art, literature and music
  • awareness of the classical history and culture that the founders of America incorporated into the American Constitution
  • appreciation for the concepts of literature and art as represented by the ancient Greeks and Romans

Liberal Arts Core World Languages Requirement

Students may satisfy the Core world languages requirement through one of the following options:

  1. Successful completion of LAT 112 Fundamentals of Latin II, GRK 212 Beginning Greek II, or a higher-numbered course. All students who have studied Latin prior to coming to Concordia are expected to take a placement test in Latin to determine the course level most appropriate for each individual’s ability. If the high school transcript shows the student has not previously studied Latin, the student is not required to take the placement exam and qualifies to enroll in LAT 111 Fundamentals of Latin I.
  2. Students may demonstrate mastery of the scope and content of 111-112 sequence by placing beyond 112 on the placement exam.

Courses

GRK 211  -  Beginning Greek I,  4 credits.  

Development of the knowledge of forms and syntax needed to read easier classical authors and the New Testament.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 1st Semester  
GRK 212  -  Beginning Greek II,  4 credits.  

Development of the knowledge of forms and syntax needed to read easier classical authors and the New Testament.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Prerequisites: GRK 211  
Core designations: World Language W  
GRK 480  -  Independent Study,  1-4 credits.  

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth study of a particular topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
GRS 110  -  Classical Literature in Translation,  4 credits.  

Critical reading and discussion of representative works in the major genres that have come to us from Greco-Roman antiquity. Attention is paid to the ancient Mediterranean world's legacy to modern literature and literary criticism.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Core designations: Arts R  
GRS 120  -  Greek and Roman Mythology in Art and Literature,  4 credits.  

A study of the major myths and legends of the ancient Mediterranean, with special emphasis on the divinities and heroes; attention is also paid to the influence of these myths on later art and literature.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 1st Semester  
Core designations: Humanities H  
GRS 310  -  Behind Closed Doors: Ancient Gender and Sexuality,  4 credits.  

This course investigates gender roles and sexual mores in ancient Greece and Rome as a lens for understanding contemporary attitudes. Topics of study may include initiation into adulthood; marriage; love; sex (both hetero- and homosexual); legal status; laws and norms concerning rape, adultery, and prostitution; and ancient theories of gynecology.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Core designations: U.S. Cultural Diversity U  
GRS 320  -  Black Athena and the Whitewashing of Antiquity,  4 credits.  

In this course students explore the symbolic power of ancient Greece and Rome in the U.S., and the role it has played (and continues to play) on Black and White racial identities and race-related power structures.

Frequency: Alternate Years - 2nd Semester  
Core designations: U.S. Cultural Diversity U  
GRS 380  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  

Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
GRS 390  -  Academic Internship,  1-8 credits.  
Frequency: Every Semester  
Repeatable: Yes  
GRS 399  -  Medical and Scientific Terminology,  2 credits.  

Study of English technical and scientific terms that are derived from Greek and Latin sources: roots, prefixes, suffixes, word formation, and analysis. Especially helpful in medical, biological, and related fields.

Frequency: Every Year - Second Semester  
GRS 480  -  Independent Study,  1-4 credits.  

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth study of a particular topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
GRS 487  -  Directed Research,  1-4 credits.  

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct research in a specific area of study, completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Specific expectations of the research experience to be determined by the faculty. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes  
LAT 111  -  Fundamentals of Latin I,  4 credits.  

Elementary work in Latin syntax forms and vocabulary with easy readings. For those who have had no previous study of Latin. Designed to lead into LAT 112 - Fundamentals of Latin II

Frequency: Every Year - First Semester  
LAT 112  -  Fundamentals of Latin II,  4 credits.  

Selected readings from Latin authors to introduce students to aspects of Roman life and culture and their relation to contemporary problems and experiences.

Frequency: Every Year - Second Semester  
Prerequisites: LAT 111  
Core designations: World Language W  
LAT 480  -  Independent Study,  1-4 credits.  

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth study of a particular topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.

Frequency: Not offered on a Regular Basis  
Repeatable: Yes