Faculty Profile
Christopher Francese
The Asbury J. Clarke Professor of Classical Studies (1996)
Contact Information
East College Room 106
717.245.1202
http://blogs.dickinson.edu/francese/
Bio
My main teaching focus is on Latin literature and Greek and Roman Mythology. I also teach a course on a classical approach to public speaking. I have written books on ancient Rome and Latin literature: Ancient Rome: An Anthology of Sources (2014, with Scott Smith); Ancient Rome in So Many Words (2007), Parthenius of Nicaea and Roman Poetry (2001) and Latin and Ancient Greek Core Vocabularies (2020). I love working with secondary teachers and direct a series of professional development workshops for Latin teachers, the Dickinson Latin Workshops. My other passion is digital humanities, and getting students involved with the creation of high-quality resources for learners of Latin and Greek. I direct Dickinson College Commentaries, a series of online multimedia editions of classical texts, and co-direct Dickinson Classics Online, which provides resources for Chinese speaking students of Latin and Greek. I also produce the Latin Poetry Podcast, a series of Latin texts translated and read aloud in the original.
Education
- B.A., Oberlin College, 1987
- M.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1989
- Ph.D., 1993
2022-2023 Academic Year
Fall 2022
CLST 100 Greek and Roman Mythology
An introduction to the study and interpretation of Greek and Roman myths, as they appear both in ancient sources and in later music, sculpture, painting, and literature. The course focuses on interpretive approaches that can help us to define the insights of these myths into to human psychology and the predicaments of men and women, and to apply those insights critically to our own time.
GREK 201 Introduction to Greek Prose
A review of syntax and selected readings from prose authors. Consideration is given to authors whose style and grammar best illustrate the characteristics of Attic Greek of the Classical period. Supplemental readings in English provide historical and cultural context for the author chosen.
Prerequisite: 102 or the equivalent.
LATN 233 Roman Historians: Tacitus
Readings from Roman historians such as Sallust, Caesar and Livy, with study of Roman political values.Prerequisite: 202 or the equivalent.
Spring 2023
GREK 202 Introduction to Greek Poetry
Selected readings from Homer with emphasis on poetic style and composition. Supplementary readings in English help stimulate discussion of literary, historical, and cultural topics regarding epic poetry.
Prerequisite: 102 or the equivalent. This course fulfills the language graduation requirement.
LATN 234 Ovid
Selections from the Metamorphoses with study of the more important Greek and Roman myths and their modern reception.Prerequisite: 202 or the equivalent.
