CLAS 320 A: Society and Status in Greece and Rome

Autumn 2026
Meeting:
MTWThF 9:30am - 10:20am
SLN:
12644
Section Type:
Lecture
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

Prof. Deborah Kamen (she/her) (dkamen@uw.edu)

MTWThF 9.30-10.20am, DEN 303

 

Description

In this course, we will be examining the public and private lives of the ancient Greeks and Romans, with a special focus on status, class, and gender. The diversity of human experience in the ancient world will be explored through the following topics: Greek and Roman social organization (men, women, children, the elderly, enslaved people, and formerly enslaved people); housing; dress; food and drink; sex and sexuality; health and sickness; death and beliefs in the afterlife; magic and religion; politics; theater and music; economics; law; warfare; athletics and spectator sports; etc. No prerequisites.

 

Objectives

By the end of the course, students will demonstrate the ability to identify the practices and ideologies of Greek and Roman society; understand the range of evidence for studying Greek and Roman social and cultural history; and appreciate the diversity of human experience in the ancient world.

 

Course Texts

Both of these books are available FOR FREE as ebooks through UW Libraries (you just need to log in with your UW NetID).

Aldrete: Aldrete, G.S. (2004) Daily Life in the Roman City: Rome, Pompeii, and Ostia. Westport, CT.


Garland: Garland, R. (2014) Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks. 2nd ed. Indianapolis.

 

Catalog Description:
Examines the societies of ancient Greece and Rome, with a special focus on status, class, and gender. The diversity of human experience is explored through the study of men, women, children, the elderly, slaves, housing, dress, food, sexuality, medicine, death, religion, theater, politics, law, economics, travel, warfare, art, and athletics. Offered: A.
GE Requirements Met:
Diversity (DIV)
Social Sciences (SSc)
Arts and Humanities (A&H)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
June 30, 2026 - 12:37 am