CLHU 415/515, HIST 415/515, ANTH 414/515, ENGL
492/592
Women in Antiquity
Spring 2006
3 credits
Dr. Judith Lynn Sebesta East Hall 204
677-5218
e-mail: jsebesta@usd.
www.usd.edu/~jsebesta
Office Hours: 11-noon MTWTF
This course examines women's place(s) in three
civilizations, ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. What position(s) did women
have in these societies? Were these positions static? What image(s) of women
did the literatures present? To what extent are these literary images consonant
with what (we think) we know about women's lives?
To the extent possible
for each civilization, we will look at women in various forms of literature and
art, their position in society and law, marriage, and health.
This content of this course contains language, images
and subject matters which pertain to nudity, sexuality, reproduction and the
like. Students are expected to be able to discuss these in an adult manner.
Ancient attitudes towards such matters can differ greatly with current ideas
about acceptable gender roles and sexual behavior. The intent of this course is
to learn about ancient society and not to debate current ideas about acceptable
gender roles and sexual behavior.