The Greek and Roman Tradition - HUM 259 at Rappahannock Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu./colleges/rcc/courses/HUM259-TheGreekandRomanTradition
Effective: 2022-03-31
Course Description
Explores the significance of Greek and Roman cultures on the individual and society, expressed prominently from the Classical Age in Athens to its survival during Roman times. Examines the key contributions that the Greeks and Romans have imparted upon storytelling, theater, philosophy, civics, political morphology, and the arts and the impact they have in the modern world. The assignments in this course require college-level reading, analysis of scholarly studies, and coherent communication through properly cited and formatted written reports. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
HUM 259 develops an appreciation for ancient Greek and Roman cultures and its impact on the individual and society at large. Students will be able to recognize key contributions that the Greeks and Romans have imparted upon storytelling, theater, philosophy, civics, political morphology, and the arts.
Course Objectives
- Critical Thinking
- Describe and construct responses to topics relating to social values and the expression of ideas in Greek and Roman cultures through written assignments and/or visual/oral presentations
- Written Communication
- Analyze, discuss, and research topics in Greek and Roman mythology, plays, and fine arts, integrating any religious beliefs, philosophical concepts, historical connections that may arise in written assignments.
- Civic Engagement
- Demonstrate an understanding of civic virtue from studying concepts of duty and justice expressed in mythology, plays, philosophy, and history through written assignments and/or visual/oral presentations.
- Greco-Roman Mythology
- Recognize and discuss the major stories, characters, and themes in the Greco-Roman mythological tradition, emphasizing works by Homer, Hesiod, Apollodorus, Ovid, and Virgil, while relating geographical locations and notable works of fine art in association with the stories.
- Greco-Roman Religion
- Summarize and evaluate Greek and Roman religious beliefs, emphasizing the Greek pantheon, the geographical locations of religious cults, in addition to any architectural and other artistic connections, while relating significant festivals and rituals.
- Greco-Roman Theater
- Identify and critique prominent Greek and Roman plays and their socio-political themes in relation to the function of the theater in the historical context of the Classical Age in Athens, and their impact on the Roman tradition, emphasizing the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
- Greco-Roman Philosophy
- Examine and apply the major developments of Greek and Roman philosophy and its ongoing impact up to the modern world, emphasizing philosophers that investigate the nature of reality, society, ethics, and politics.
Major Topics to be Included
- Greco-Roman Mythology
- Greco-Roman Religion
- Greco-Roman Theater
- Greco-Roman Philosophy