Course Description
Examination of the ruins and monuments of Classical antiquity
in Greece, Italy, and Egypt as the literal and figurative
destinations of the Grand Tour and the inspiration for
Neoclassicism in Europe and North America that imitated the
grandeur of Classical antiquity in politics, the arts and
architecture.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
In addition to all undergraduate requirements, graduate students
will write a major research paper, present a class, and write an
annotated bibliography.
Athena Title
The Grand Tour
Prerequisite
CLAS 1000 or CLAS 1000E or CLAS 1000H or CLAS 1010 or CLAS 1010E or CLAS 1010H or CLAS 1020 or CLAS 1020E or CLAS 1020H or CLAS 3000 or CLAS 3010 or CLAS(ANTH) 3015 or CLAS(ANTH) 3015E or CLAS 3030 or CLAS 3040 or CLAS3050 or permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe the attraction of the material legacy of Classical antiquity to Europeans and North Americans on the Grand Tour.
- Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to chart routes taken by travelers and to describe the condition of ancient sites and art in cities along the route and newly discovered sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Greek temples of Agrigento.
- Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to critique the ways in which participants of the Grand Tour relocated ancient monuments and imitated ancient culture into their own contemporary politics, the visual arts, architecture, and civic planning.
- Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to assess the role of archaeologists, collectors, and artists in spreading Neoclassicism.
- Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to discuss the ethical ramifications of the relocation of material artifacts, tourism, and the politics of Neoclassicism.
Topical Outline
- I. Historical context of the Grand Tour
- II. Routes of the Grand Tour
- III. Additions to the itinerary: newly discovered sites (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Agrigento, etc.)
- IV. Artistic influence and imitation
- V. Archeologists and collectors: relocated ancient monuments and artifacts
- VI. Neoclassicism to fascism: classical influences and reuse in political thought
Institutional Competencies
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
