College of Liberal Arts
French & Classics

 

 Undergraduate Index


William F. Edmiston, Chair of the Department
Professors
Ward W. Briggs Jr., Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 1974
Carolina Distinguished Professor of Classics, Louise Fry Scudder Professor of Humanities
William F. Edmiston, Ph.D., Indiana University, 1978
Freeman G. Henry, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1973
G. Buford Norman Jr., Ph.D., Yale University, 1971
Joan Hinde Stewart, Ph.D., Yale University, 1970
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts
Associate Professors
Catherine J. Castner, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 1979
James T. Day, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1978
Nancy E. Lane, Ph.D., Indiana University, 1976
Patricia P. Matsen, Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College, 1968
Paul Allen Miller, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1989
Jeffery C. Persels, Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1991
Marja Warehime, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1975
Assistant Professors
Daniela DiCecco, Ph.D., University of British Columbia, 1998
Annie Duménil, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1983
Jeanne M. Garane, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1994
Lara L. Lomicka, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2001
Instructors
Elizabeth Blount, M.A., University of South Carolina, 1972
Walter P. Collins, M.A., University of North Carolina, 1993
John Duffy, Ph.D., Indiana University, 1995
Carla Grimes, M.A., University of South Carolina, 1989
Brigitte Guillemin, M.A., University of South Carolina, 1990
Lucille Mould, M.A., University of Kansas, 1967
Margo Newton, M.A., Florida State University, 1973
Kathleen M. Ross, M.A., Louisiana State University, 1984
Faculty Emeriti
Elizabeth G. Joiner, Ph.D., Ohio State University, 1974
William A. Mould, Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1967
Frederick Charles Perry Jr., M.A., University of South Carolina, 1949
George M. Reeves, D.U., University of Paris, 1953
David G. Speer, D.U., University of Montpellier, 1953
Rosamond Kent Sprague, Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College, 1953

Overview

The department offers an undergraduate major in French and an undergraduate major in classics, both leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The department offers minors in French, classical studies, Greek, and Latin.

Advanced Standing

Students who have studied French or Latin during the five years preceding their enrollment at USC must take the placement test in that language. A maximum of seven semester hours of advanced standing credit for 121-122 courses in one foreign language may be earned on the basis of completion (with a grade of B or better) of the first 200-level or above, three-credit course in that foreign language; four hours credit for 121 may be awarded for a grade of B or better in a 122 course. Courses which may not be offered for advanced standing credit are FREN 290, 295, 315, 397, and 399; all CLAS courses; and LATN 314, 315, and 399.

Placement

Students with placement scores of 2 or better cannot get credit for 109-110; students with scores of 3 or better cannot get credit for 121: students with scores of 5 cannot get credit for 122. Students with scores of F-4 must take Phase II of the placement test. The placement test is to be taken before taking a foreign language course. The test cannot be repeated.

Exemptions

Students will not normally be permitted to repeat for credit foreign language units previously earned in high school or college. Freshman students achieving advanced standing at the University may be permitted to validate certain omitted courses, according to current regulations, and should consult the department for further information. Students whose native language is French and who have learned English as a foreign language may, with the concurrence of the dean of their college and that of the chair of the Department of French and Classics, be exempted from the language requirement without credit. Such students will, at the discretion of the Department of French and Classics, be excluded from courses in their native language.

Degree Requirements–Bachelor of Arts in French

(120 hours)

1. General Education Requirements (53-62)

For a general outline, see "College of Liberal Arts."

2. Major Requirements

Courses numbered 300 level and above*(30)

3. Cognates or Minor

See "College of Liberal Arts"

Note: Cognate courses must be selected in consultation with the student’s major advisor (12).

4. Electives

See "College of Liberal Arts."

*Prospective majors should consult with advisor concerning specific requirements.

Bachelor of Arts in Classics

(120 hours)

1. General Education Requirements (53-62 hours)

For a general outline, see "College of Liberal Arts."

2. Program Requirements (24 hours)

Greek Concentration

GREK at the 300 level or above (18 hours)
LATN at the 300 level or above (6 hours)

Latin Concentration

LATN at the 300 level or above (18 hours)
GREK at the 300 level or above (6 hours)

Classical Studies Concentration

GREK or LATN at the 300 level or above (6 hours)
CLAS 586 (3 hours)
CLAS 401 or CPLT 301 (3 hours)
HIST 502, 503, or 504 (3 hours)
Electives within the program (9 hours)

3. Cognates or minor, see "College of Liberal Arts."

Note: Cognate courses must be selected in consultation with the student’s major advisor.

4. Electives, see "College of Liberal Arts."

Course Descriptions

Unless otherwise noted, readings, lectures, and discussion in French courses above the elementary level are principally in French. In Greek and Latin, readings are in the foreign language but lectures and discussions are in English.

Classics (CLAS)

  • 220--Introduction to Classical Mythology. (3) Major gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines of classical mythology as portrayed in major literary works; the function of myth in society and its relevance to modern life.
  • 230--Medical and Scientific Terminology. (3) Greek and Latin elements in the formation of medical and scientific vocabulary; designed for students intending to enter the scientific and health professions. No previous knowledge of Greek or Latin required.
  • 320--Women in Greco-Roman Antiquity. {=WOST 320} (3) Evidence for women’s lives as transmitted in ancient literary, epigraphical, and other remains; roles of women in these societies; images of women in their literature; male attitudes toward women; women’s writings.
  • 324--Topics in Classical Humanities. (3) Intensive study of one topic per semester dealing with ancient contributions to Western civilization. Such topics include: women in the ancient and modern worlds; modern interpretations of classical literature; the roots of comedy; the hero in ancient and modern times; ancient religion (not mythology) and the rise of Christianity; the role of the writer in ancient and modern times. Not for Greek or Latin major credit. In English.
  • 340--Greek Art and Archaeology. (3) A survey of ancient architecture, painting, and sculpture 2000-160 B.C.
  • 360--Classical Origins of Western Medical Ethics. {=PHIL 360} (3) Examination of ancient Greek and Roman philosophical, medical, and literary works (in English) as sources for the origins of medical ethics.
  • 401--Greek and Latin Literature in Translation. (3) A comparative survey of Greek and Latin masters.
  • 469--Classical Drama. {=ENGL 395} (3) Representative plays by Greek and Roman dramatists.
  • 586--Classical Mythology. (3) The major Greek and Roman myths, with emphasis on their meaning, functions, and influence on ancient and later Western culture.
  • 598--Classics of Western Literary Theory. {=CPLT 701, =ENGL 733} (3) Problems of literary theory in texts from the ancients to the 17th century, with an emphasis on the classical tradition.

Foreign Languages (FORL)

  • 510--Teaching Second Languages to Young Children. {=EDEL 510} (3) (Prereq: 210 level of a foreign language or its equivalent) To assist prospective teachers of young children in the development of a second language and multicultural learning activities. Practicum sessions are an integral part.
  • 598--Topics in World Film. {=FILM 598} (3) Intensive study of a specific topic concerning films produced in a country other than the United States. Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of courses by suffix and title.

French (FREN)

  • 109--Beginning French I. (3) Introduction to grammar and practical vocabulary necessary for fundamental communication skills. Admission to 109 restricted to those who have never studied French previously or who have placed by examination into 109; admission to 110 restricted to those who have completed FREN 109.
  • 110--Beginning French II. (3) Introduction to grammar and practical vocabulary necessary for fundamental communication skills. Admission to 110 restricted to those who have completed FREN 109. 110 offered in spring and summer II only. Credit may be received only for one of the following: 109/110, or 121.
  • 121--Elementary French. (4) Grammar and vocabulary necessary for fundamental communication skills. Assumes prior experience in French. Admission only by proficiency examination. Credit may be received for only one of the following: 109/110, or 121.
  • 122--Basic Proficiency in French. (3) Practice and further development of essential listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Admission either by placement examination or successful completion of FREN 110, 111, or 121. Offered each semester.
  • 209--Reading and Written Expression. (3) (Prereq: FREN 122 or satisfactory score on placement exam) Readings in French; grammar, basic writing, and composition.
  • 210--Oral Communication. (3) (Prereq: FREN 122 or satisfactory score on placement exam) Practice in conversation involving authentic listening materials; vocabulary building.
  • 290--French Literature in Translation. (3) Readings and discussion in English, with consideration of the cultural context.
  • 295--Topics in French Culture. (3) (Prereq: FREN 110, 121, or equivalent) Intensive one-term study of a particular topic identified by suffix and title. Taught in English.
  • 300--French Phonetics. (3) Analysis of and practice in pronunciation and listening comprehension.
  • 307--Advanced Oral Practice. (1) (Prereq: FREN 210 or equivalent; FREN 209 recommended; recommended prereq for or coreq with FREN 310) Development and maintenance of speaking and listening skills at the advanced level. Offered Pass-Fail only. May be repeated.
  • 309--Introduction to Reading French Texts. (3) (Prereq: FREN 209 or equivalent) Reading and discussion of texts in French.
  • 310--Advanced Oral Communication. (3) (Prereq: FREN 210 or equivalent; FREN 209 strongly recommended; coreq or prereq: FREN 307 strongly recommended) Current issues and events presented in French-language media. Discussion and presentations in French provide practice with advanced structures and idiomatic speech.
  • 311--French Grammar and Composition. (3) (Prereq: FREN 209 or equivalent) Intensive review of French grammar; practice in French composition and théme et version.
  • 315--Intensive Readings in French. (3) Graduate students fulfill their foreign-language reading requirement with successful completion of the course. Undergraduates may take the course as an elective only. Grades S/U for graduates and undergraduates.
  • 316--Introduction to Business French. (3) (Prereq: FREN 311 or consent of instructor) Practical oral and written communication in a commercial context; introduction to business terminology and correspondence.
  • 330--The French Theatre Experience. (3) (Prereq: FREN 122 and consent of instructor) Project work in the production of plays in the French language. Includes readings in French theatre and related materials. May be repeated once on a Pass-Fail basis for free elective credit.
  • 350--French Language Study in France. (1-6) Intensive language practice with special attention to oral skills. Classroom instruction by native speakers.
  • 390--History of French Literature I. (3) (Prereq: FREN 309, 310, 311)
  • 391--History of French Literature II. (3) (Prereq: FREN 309, 310, 311)
  • 397--The French Film Experience. (3) An introduction to the history of the French film, with special emphasis on the aesthetic appreciation of the films in their artistic and cultural context. Films in French, with English subtitles. Taught in English.
  • 399--Independent Study. (3-6) Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  • 400--La Civilisation Française. (3) (Prereq: FREN 310, 311; FREN 309 recommended) French history and the arts from early times through the Napoleonic era.
  • 416--Advanced Business French. (3) (Prereq: FREN 316 or consent of instructor) Commercial organizations and businesses in France. Practical business
  • correspondence. Terminology and techniques in commercial transactions with the Certificat Pratique of the Paris Chamber of Commerce in view. Taught in French.
  • 450--Topics in Literature. (3) (Prereq: FREN 390, 391, or consent of instructor) May be repeated for credit.
  • 499--Senior Thesis. (3)
  • 501--La France Contemporaine. (3) (Prereq: FREN 310 and 311 or equivalent) Readings in and discussion of the culture of contemporary France.
  • 510--L’Actualité Française. (3) (Prereq: FREN 310 or permission of instructor) Development of advanced oral skills in French. Study of linguistic and cultural aspects of French-language media. Does not count toward the M.A. degree in French.
  • 511--Techniques of Literary Analysis. (3) Texts from standard authors, with emphasis on explication de texte.
  • 515--Advanced French Stylistics. (3) Practice in descriptive and narrative composition with special attention to contrastive stylistics; théme et version.
  • 516--French Phonology. {=LING 512} (3) The sound system and its functioning in the morphological system of French from the point of view of current phonological theory.
  • 517--French Linguistics. {=LING 502} (3) (Prereq: FREN 515) The structure, morphology, and syntax of modern French.
  • 575--Teaching French in Secondary Schools. {=EDSE 575} (3) Current methods, techniques, and materials of instruction appropriate for secondary schools.
  • 595--Selected Topics in French. (3) Poetry, prose, theatre, cinema, civilization. May be repeated.

Greek (GREK)

  • 121--Elementary Ancient Greek I. (4) Basic grammar and vocabulary necessary for reading Classical and Koine Greek. Assumes no prior experience in the language.
  • 122--Elementary Ancient Greek II. (4) Additional grammar and vocabulary necessary for reading Classical and Koine Greek. Admission only by successful completion of Greek 121.
  • 305--The Greek New Testament. (3) (Prereq: GREK 121, 122) Readings in the Gospels and Epistles.
  • 321--Plato. (3) (Prereq: GREK 121, 122) The life of Socrates based on the reading of Plato’s Apology and Crito in Greek. Supplementary reading in English from Xenophon’s Memorabilia and Aristophanes’ Clouds.
  • 322--Homer. (3) (Prereq: GREK 121, 122) Readings from the Iliad and the Odyssey in Greek. Discussion of the language, background, and composition of the poems.
  • 342--Greek Composition. (3) A study of Greek syntax in order to translate English prose into Greek. Instruction is individualized.
  • 399--Independent Study. (3-6) Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  • 501--Herodotus. (3) Readings from the Histories.
  • 502--Thucydides. (3) Readings from the History of the Peloponnesian War.
  • 533--Sophocles. (3) Selected plays.
  • 534--Euripides. (3) Selected plays.
  • 543--Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns. (3) Readings from the Works and Days, the Theogony, and the Homeric Hymns.
  • 550--Greek Seminar. (3) Authors and topics not covered in other Greek language courses, chosen to meet the needs of individual students. May be repeated with the approval of the department.
  • 560--Independent Study. (3) (Prereq: permission of head of department) Special projects for independent study and research.
  • 561--Independent Study. (3) (Prereq: permission of head of department) Special projects for independent study and research.

Latin (LATN)

  • 109--Beginning Latin I. (3) Introduction to grammar and practical vocabulary necessary for fundamental reading skills. Admission to 109 restricted to those who have never studied Latin previously or who have placed by examination into 109; admission to 110 restricted to those who have completed Latin 109. 109 offered in fall; 110 in spring. Credit may not be received for both 109/110 and 121.
  • 110--Beginning Latin II. (3) Introduction to grammar and practical vocabulary necessary for fundamental reading skills. Admission to 109 restricted to those who have never studied Latin previously or who have placed by examination into 109; admission to 110 restricted to those who have completed Latin 109. 109 offered in fall;110 in spring. Credit may not be received for both 109/110 and 121.
  • 121--Elementary Latin. (4) Grammar and vocabulary necessary for fundamental reading skills. Assumes prior experience in Latin. Admission only by proficiency examination. Credit may be received for only one of the following: 109/110 or 121.
  • 122--Basic Proficiency in Latin. (3) Practice and further development of essential reading skills. Admission either by placement examination or successful completion of Latin 110 or 121. Offered each semester.
  • 301--Advanced Readings in Latin Literature. (3) A survey of Latin literature designed for the student who wishes to develop a major or cognate in Latin.
  • 314--Intensive Grammar Review in Latin. (3) Intensive grammar review for non-majors; designed as preparation for LATN 315.
  • 315--Intensive Readings in Latin. (3) Intensive reading for non-majors. Graduate students fulfill their foreign-language reading requirement with successful completion of the course. Undergraduates may take the course as an elective only. Grades S/U for graduates and undergraduates.
  • 321--Virgil. (3) Readings from the Aeneid.
  • 322--Latin Literature of the Golden Age. (3) Selected readings in prose and poetry of representative authors.
  • 342--Latin Composition. (3) A study of Latin syntax in order to translate English prose into Latin. Instruction is individualized.
  • 399--Independent Study. (3-6) Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  • 501--Latin Drama. (3) Selected plays of Plautus and Terence.
  • 502--Cicero. (3) Readings from a variety of Cicero’s works to gain a concept of the man as a humanist.
  • 504--Horace. (3) Readings from the Odes.
  • 508--Ovid. (3) Selected readings from the Metamorphoses.
  • 513--Tacitus. (3) Agricola or selections from the Annales.
  • 514--Livy. (3) Readings from Ab Urbe Condita.
  • 525--Roman Satire. (3) Readings in Horace, Juvenal, and Petronius.
  • 530--Latin Erotic Poetry. (3) Readings from the elegies of Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid.
  • 537--Lucretius. (3) Readings from the De Rerum Natura.
  • 551--History of Latin Literature from the Origins to the Golden Age. (3) Readings from the Twelve Tables to Virgil, supplemented by readings in history and scholarship. Designed to prepare majors and honors students for further study.
  • 552--History of Latin Literature in the Silver Age. (3) Readings from Ovid to Ammianus, supplemented by readings in history and scholarship. Designed to prepare majors and honors students for further study.
  • 560--Independent Study. (1-3) (Prereq: permission of head of department) Special projects for independent study and research.
  • 561--Independent Study. (1-3) (Prereq: permission of head of department) Special projects for independent study and research.
  • 575--Teaching Latin in Secondary Schools. {=EDSE 577} (3) Current methods, techniques, and materials of instruction appropriate for secondary schools.
  • 580--Teaching Advanced Latin in Secondary School. {=EDSE 580} (3) (Prereq: permission of instructor) Methods and materials for teaching the Latin Advanced Placement courses in secondary school.

Courses Offered in Classical Studies

The following courses from outside the Department of French and Classics may be used for the electives in the Classical Studies concentration.

ARTH 313, History of Roman Art
ARTH 511, Etruscan Art and Archaeology
CPLT 301 {=ENGL 390}, Great Books of the Western World
ENGL 393, Epic Poetry
HIST 322, Celtic and Roman Britain, 2000 B.C.-A.D. 500
HIST 501, The Ancient Near East to 323 B.C.
HIST 515, Byzantine History: 4th to 11th Centuries
HIST 518, Coinage of the Ancient World
PHIL 303, Greek and Roman Philosophy after Aristotle
PHIL 505, Plato
PHIL 506, Aristotle
RELG 301, Old Testament
RELG 302, New Testament
RELG 311, The Mission and Message of Jesus
RELG 312, The Life and Letters of Paul
RELG 313, The Johannine Literature
RELG 320, Old Testament Sacred Histories
RELG 321, Old Testament Prophets
RELG 341, Israel’s Wisdom Literature
RELG 501, Religious Philosophies of the West I
RELG 502, Religious Philosophies of the West II
RELG 512, History of Western Religion 

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