Immediate Classics:
English Words from Ancient
Greece
Our classical past has enriched Western Culture, and many
languages. Many of us are unaware of the classical background of English
words we use today. Part of our exploration of ancient Greece this semester
will be to expand our understanding of our own language via the etymologies
of its vocabulary.
To this end, students in CLST 1003 will delight one another
with explanations of CLASSICS IN OUR WORLD. Most of these words are to be
found in a good English dictionary, and on the Internet in the “Words
and Phrases Glossary” of Oxford’s “Classical Mythology” website:
(http://www.us.oup.com/us/companion.websites/0195153448/studentresources/mainglossary/mainglossary/?view=usa). If you don’t find what you want online,
you should consult a big English dictionary, and/or go to Mullins Library.
There are several works in Mullins Library that can give you the lowdown
on all the mythology you need. There are a bunch in Reference, and a bunch
on the shelves. If you want resources in Mullins Library, you can see them
here: (http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/dlevine/Bibliography.html).
a good online reference source for Greek myths, with illustrations, is theoi.com
(http://www.theoi.com/).
Student presentations will involve:
1) Writing the word or phrase on the board in the Roman
alphabet immediately before class begins,
2) Writing the relevant original word(s) IN GREEK LETTERS (upper and lower case) on
the board immediately before class begins, and
3) BRIEFLY (in 2-3 minutes) explaining the classical figure,
concept, myth, god, or idea associated with the words.
4) [Please inform your professor at least two days before your presentation what
you have found.]
The professor encourages students to refer to our course
texts whenever possible when giving reports, so check out the indices
of your texts when preparing your presentation. For example, if you get
the word AMAZON, you will find a cool story about them in your Herodotus
text, in book 4. Ditto on “rich as Croesus” (book 1). If you get
“Electra Complex”, you will do well to refer to Aeschylus’ play
LIBATION BEARERS, which is in our ORESTIA text. When you do CHAOS, be sure
to refer to Hesiod’s THEOGONY; ditto ‘gorgon’. Be sure to refer to Book
14 of the ILIAD if you have to explain “hypnosis”. Be sure to
refer to book 6 of HERODOTUS if you explain “panic”. For “THERSITISM”
be sure to refer to Iliad 2. Show us how well-read you are!
GRADING: Grades will be based on:
1. Accuracy of Information (Be sure
to tell the truth);
2. Clarity and Concision of Presentation
(Make sure that your report is succinct and understandable);
3. Connection with the class (Be sure
that your voice is loud enough, that you make eye contact, and show that
you care about your subject);
4. Proper Greek spelling and letter
forms (This is why I want you to check with me before your presentation
— so I don’t have to correct your work in class).
The Professor will make assignments during the first week
of class. When you get your assignments, LOOK THEM UP RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT
WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Many of you will have questions that
I can answer, but not if you contact me just before your report is due.
Illustration: Columbia University Library, with names of
Homer, Herodotus, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Cicero and
Vergil on the Ionic Frieze.
Students will check the following list
and note the days on which they will give presentations.
AUGUST 27
Pyrrhic Victory Michelle Z.
Platonic Love Sarah V.
AUGUST 29
titan, titanic Virginia T.
amazon Justin T.
AUGUST 31
ambrosia, ambrosial Spencer T.
aphrodisiac, anaphrodisiac Morgan T.
SEPTEMBER 05
stygian Debbie S.
apple of discord Scott S.
SEPTEMBER 10
Athenaeum Daniel S.
Cadmean victory Laura S.
SEPTEMBER 12
nestor Michael S.
cassandra Marshall R.
SEPTEMBER 14
boustrophedon Amanda R.
chimera Michael R.
SEPTEMBER 17
chaos Vanessa R.
demon Geoff R.
SEPTEMBER 19
The Socratic Method Jennifer P.
echo JoAnne P.
SEPTEMBER 21
Electra complex Colin O.
Elysian Fields/Elysian/Elysium Matt N.
SEPTEMBER 24
erotic, erotica, erotomania Meg M.
Europa (astronomy), Europe Stacy M.
SEPTEMBER 26
Honors Section Only Meets. No Reports.
SEPTEMBER 28
Midterm Examination. No Reports.
OCTOBER 01
Honors Section Only Meets. No Reports.
OCTOBER 03
Ganymede (astronomy) Nicolas M.
gorgon, gorgonian, gorgonize Katie M.
harpy Aimee K.
hecatomb Alyson K.
OCTOBER 05
hector (as a verb, as a noun) TJ H.
hydra Jessica H.
OCTOBER 08
hymen, hymneal Lauren H.
hyperborean Alex H.
OCTOBER 10
tantalize Peyton G.
Io (astronomy), Ionian Michelle G.
OCTOBER 12
solon Sarah G.
nemesis Jessica G.
OCTOBER 15
laconic Natalie F.
lethe, lethargy, lethargic Kaitlin F.
OCTOBER 17
mausoleum Rebecca F.
lotus eater Caira D.
OCTOBER 19
mentor James C.
Midas’ ass’s ears/Midas touch/the golden touch Seth C.
OCTOBER 22
Honors Section Meets. No Reports.
OCTOBER 24
psephology/psephologist Monica C.
terpsichorean Keenan C.
OCTOBER 26
morphine Casey C.
symposium Stephen C.
OCTOBER 29
narcissus, narcissism, narcissist Ever C.
nympholepsy/nympholept Emily C.
paean Justin T.
OCTOBER 31
The motto of the United States Postal Service: “Neither snow
nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift
completion of their appointed rounds.” (Hint: Herodotus Histories 8.98)
Ryan C.
Trojan horse Ashley B.
NOVEMBER 02
Nike Jeremiah B.
calliope Jackie B.
NOVEMBER 05
synoecism Thomas B.
ocean Kena B.
NOVEMBER 07
odyssey Sean C.
NOVEMBER 09
Olympian, Olympic (sports) Virginia T.
pandora’s box Morgan T.
NOVEMBER 12
palladium (two meanings) Spencer T.
November 14
panic Debbie S.
NOVEMBER 16
Honors Section Meets. No Reports.
NOVEMBER 19
procrustean Daniel S.
promethean Laura S.
NOVEMBER 26
protean Michael S.
Python, python, pythoness Marshall R.
NOVEMBER 28
satyr, satyriasis, satyromaniac Amanda R.
Scylla and Charybdis Michael R.
NOVEMBER 30
siren Vanessa R.
sphinx Jennifer P.
DECEMBER 03
Examination #2 (No Words)
The kindly centaur Chiron holds baby Achilles, his student. Chiron’s
job was to teach Achilles the art of medicine, and how to be a good man.
This centaur has human legs instead of horse legs, to show that he is more
civilized than other centaurs. In the Iliad, Achilles had the spear that
Chiron had given to Peleus, Achilles’ father. (Iliad 4.219; 11.832;
16.143; 19.390)
Return to Main Page: CLST 1003.
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