CLA 3200 Race and Ethnicity in the Classical World
In this course we will examine topics of racial and ethnic identity, diversity, and intercultural exchange in antiquity—from the epic age of the Iliad and Odyssey through the last centuries of the Roman Empire—and the continuing impact of ancient racial discourse on our world today. As we study literature and material culture alongside modern theory and media, we will encounter peoples and places often neglected in conventional histories of the classical world, and work toward contextualizing our own thinking about race and identity, as we work to advance understanding and equity in today’s multicultural society.
Course Types
Civilization; Advanced Studies; Advancing Equity
- I. Critical thinking. Students will identify key themes and historical developments in thought about race, ethnicity, and other forms of collective identity, to better understand the legacy of ancient racial constructions in later periods, and reflect on their own identities.
- II. Diversity. Students will learn about the truly diverse and interconnected nature of ancient Mediterranean civilization and the communities who inhabited it.
- III. Research and communication. Students will undertake independent research projects and present their findings to their peers in class.
- IV. Analysis. Students will gain tools to recognize and resist white supremacist appropriations of classical history and symbolism in contemporary discourse.