On September 25, 2021, the CU Boulder Department of Classics is excited to host Colorado Classics Day! Every year, we welcome high-school and middle-school students from across the state of Colorado to see Boulder's campus, and to participate in workshops about the ancient world led by our faculty and graduate students. This year we will be hosting the event virtually, and we're excited to see you there! See the schedule of the day below. Please contact Zach Herz zachary.herz@colorado.edu for information on attending or if you have any questions.
September 25, 2021
Virtual (via Zoom)
Welcome Address
10 A.M.
Session 1
10:15 - 11:00 A.M.
Class A: Latin Strength Training for the Life Sciences (Why It's No Joke That the Humerus Is Latin)
Pierre Habel, Colorado Classics Association
Calling all future MDs, Physician Assistants, RNs, DVMs, dentists, and biologists! We often hear that students of Latin enjoy advantages when they pursue degrees and careers in biology and the life sciences. Why? Because Latin is built into the technical terms of these disciplines. You’ll learn the truth of it as we examine and learn how the systems of Latin vocabulary and grammar shape the nomenclature of the human skeletal and muscular systems. You’ll acquire eight tools from Latin, and with them you’ll have a tremendously easier time mastering the nearly 800 bones and muscles of the human body!
Class B: A Pixar Odyssey?
Jacob Horton, CU Boulder
The Odyssey is a riveting tale of a man forced to face dangerous monsters and vengeful gods in his quest to return home to his family. One of the most famous stories from the Ancient Greek world, Odysseus’ adventures, whether it be facing off against the hungry cyclops or dealing with the Sirens, were the stuff of legend for those living in the ancient world. However, the structure and themes of The Odyssey are as much alive now as they were back then. In this workshop I will not only provide a brief introduction to The Odyssey, but also dive into how the story has inspired numerous modern movies.
Class C: Archaeology to the Rescue!
Stephanie Kimmey, Colorado College
You might know that archaeologists dig in the dirt looking for things from past civilizations. But did you know that they also spend time trying to put together puzzles with missing pieces? Or that they have to dig overnight to protect sites from robbers? The past few years I’ve been excavating Bronze Age tombs that have attracted robbers who only go looking for valuable items or treasures. In this session, you will get a look at what archaeology in Greece really looks like. I’ll show you a little of what we’ve found, but also talk about why we aren’t treasure hunters (even if that’s what it looks like in the movies) and why it is important to keep excavating and studying ancient materials. Because, yes, there is still so much more to find!
(Please note, this presentation will display images of human remains.)
Class D: Egyptian Stories: The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor
Kate Newell, CU Boulder
What did the ancient Egyptians like to read? In this presentation, you will learn about Middle Kingdom Egypt (2030 ~1650 B.C.E.), the golden age of Egyptian literature! We first introduce the Middle Egyptian language and give you the chance to determine your own pharaonic name! After discussing how scribes came to write folk stories and religious texts, we will puzzle through the hieroglyphs and read a portion of The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor. Preserved on only one papyrus, this is a story within a story, featuring a seafaring expedition that goes awry and maroons the only survivor on the Island of Ka with an unexpected friend!
Session 2
11:15 A.M.- 12:00 P.M.
Class E: Women in Latin Literature
Reina Callier, CU Boulder
From the legends of early Rome to the journey of Perpetua, this workshop will present a quick survey of some lesser-known Roman women who appear in - and write! - Latin literature, including Hersilia, Cloelia, Claudia Quinta, Terentia, Tullia, Sulpicia, Perpetua, and others. We'll use histories, poetry, and letters in our investigation, as well as some Roman inscriptions if we have time!
Class F: Decipher a Roman Gravestone
Peter Hunt, CU Boulder
Ancient epitaphs open a window on classical Roman society that is especially valuable when it comes to slaves and ex-slaves, for whom our other evidence is limited. In this session, you’ll learn how to read some simple epitaphs (no prior Latin required) and we’ll explore the stories they tell—including a murder mystery. We’ll also talk about what epitaphs can and cannot tell us about life expectancy, marriage patterns, and disease in ancient Rome.
Class G: Learn Greek in a Day!
Lauri Reitzammer, CU Boulder
This mini-course will introduce participants to the Greek alphabet, some basic Greek vocabulary commonly found in English, and important concepts in Greek language and literature.
Class H: Digging Up Dance in Ancient Greece and Rome
Hannah Slough, CU Boulder
What kind of dances were performed even before such ancient steps as the "Cabbage Patch" or "The Carlton"? And how do we know what they looked like without thousand-year-old TikToks to show us? This session will explore the process of uncovering and understanding dance traditions of Ancient Greece and Rome through storytelling and sculpture. Participants will learn about the cultural significance of dance in the Classical world as they apply their own understanding of dance in 2021. Although some aspects of Greek and Roman dance history will always be unknown, this session will leave participants without a doubt of the importance of their fresh n' funky perspectives in the field of classical archaeology.
Panel Discussion
1:00 P.M.
What Can You Do With A Classics Degree?
You already know that you can get a Classics degree and teach Latin or Greek. But you can also be a lawyer, a doctor, or anything else you want! In this panel, you’ll hear from teachers and professors about all of the different ways college Classics prepares you for The World.
Closing Remarks
2:00 P.M.