Greece, Rome, and Africa

Catalog description

"Greece, Rome, and Africa" is an interdisciplinary course that investigates the cultural, political, and intellectual interactions among ancient Mediterranean civilizations, with a particular focus on the relationships between Greece and Rome and African societies such as Egypt, Nubia, and Carthage. The course emphasizes both connectivity and disconnection across these regions, encouraging students to explore how ancient peoples constructed identity through race, gender, social status, and legal frameworks. Students engage with a wide range of primary sources, including literary texts and material culture, and apply methodologies from Classics, African Studies, Egyptology, Archaeology, and related disciplines. The course also examines how modern scholarly and cultural narratives have shaped - and sometimes distorted - our understanding of Africa's role in antiquity. Special attention is given to the ways in which African civilizations have been marginalized or erased in traditional accounts of Mediterranean history, and to efforts aimed at restoring their centrality. Figures studied may include ancient individuals such as Hatshepsut, Herodotus, Hannibal, and Cleopatra, as well as modern thinkers and writers like Johann Joachim Winckelmann, W. E. B. Du Bois, Pauline Hopkins, and Gustave Flaubert, whose interpretations have influenced contemporary views of the ancient world. Through these case studies, students critically assess how historical narratives are constructed and revised over time. The course fosters skills in close reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking. Students participate in discussions, complete written assignments, and conduct independent research on topics related to the course themes. While specific assignments may vary by instructor or location, the core emphasis remains on interdisciplinary inquiry and the development of informed, reflective perspectives on the ancient Mediterranean and its legacy. This course is suitable for students interested in Classics, African Studies, Archaeology, Egyptology, and related fields. It provides foundational knowledge for further study in these areas and encourages students to think broadly about cultural exchange, historical memory, and the politics of interpretation.