| Course Title: Intermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'The Garden in the Ancient World' |
| Start Date: 01/27/2026 End Date: 05/12/2026 |
| Term: Spring Semester 2026 |
| Description: Drawing on the literature, art, and archaeology of gardens, this course investigates the nature and experience of gardens and gardening, from antiquity to the present day. How have humans conceived of the garden as paradise; a site for philosophy and religion; a space for solace, inspiration, and desire; and a setting for labor, conquest, and resistance? Grounded in readings from antiquity -- ranging from the Sumerian Hymn to Ninurta, Homer, Sappho, Vergil, Horace, Columella, and Augustine (all in translation) -- and complemented by later historical perspectives, from Jane Austen to Jamaica Kincaid, this course analyzes multiple conceptions and expressions of beauty, power, and love-in the garden. |
| Distribution(s): I - Humanities , TP - Topics Course |
| Academic Level Of Course: Undergraduate | Credits:4.00 |
| Faculty | Phone | Email address |
| Nicole Brown | nicolebrown@mtholyoke.edu |
| Meeting Dates | Method | Meeting days | Meeting times | Building name | Room | Frequency |
| 01/27/2026 - 05/12/2026 | Seminar | Monday and Wednesday | 01:45PM - 03:00PM | CLAP - Clapp Laboratory | 225 | Weekly |
| Requisite Courses | ||
| None |
| Comments |
| Additional Comments |
| Taught in English. |
| Course Tags | ||
| PRI0001 | Used to identify primary sides of crosslisted courses for Workday conversion |
| Cross-listed Sections |
| CLAS-250AW-01 Garden in the Ancient World |
| ARTH-290AN-01 Garden in the Ancient World |
| Course Availability | ||||
| Section status: Closed | Capacity: 28 | Enrollment: 30 | Available: 0 | Waitlist: 0 |
BOOK INFORMATION
| Book List | Required | Publisher Full Price |
| Title: Daphnis and Chloe by Longus Author: McCail, Ronald Copyright: 2009 Edition: Volume: ISBN: 0199554951 Publisher: Oxford World Classics |
Required | 12.95 |
| Title: Pride and Prejudice Author: Austen, Jane Copyright: 2003 Edition: Volume: ISBN: 0141439513 Publisher: Penguin Classics |
Required | 8.00 |
| Title: Arcadia Author: Stoppard, Tom Copyright: 2017 Edition: Volume: ISBN: 0802126995 Publisher: Grove Press |
Required | 17.00 |
| Title: My Garden (Book) Author: Kincaid, Jamaica Copyright: 2024 Edition: Volume: ISBN: 1250340632 Publisher: Picador Paper |
Required | 11.00 |
| Additional Book Comments |
| This is the complete book list for this class. |