CONSPIRACY IN THE ANCIENT AND MODERN WORLDS
Interrogates the phenomenon and notion of "conspiracy" within the political, social, and religious spheres of the ancient Roman world. Explores the structure of the traditional Roman household, including the preeminence of the paterfamilias and the challenges that women, children, and/or slaves pose to his notional "tyranny". Considers a number of prominent religions that came into conflict with Roman authorities - especially the mystery cults surrounding Bacchus as well as early Christianity. Apply insights from the ancient world to the modern one in our consideration of conspiracies such as the Salem Witch Trials, the Red Scare of the '50s, the Kennedy Assassination, and the Watergate Conspiracy.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Humanities & Arts Breadth - Literature Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Roman society and culture. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Examine, analyze, and interpret ancient texts in translation. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Critique ancient Greek, Roman, and/or Near Eastern societies and cultures and compare them to other societies and cultures. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Assess and critique the value of the concepts of “conspiracy” and “conspiracy theory” for understanding historical, political, social, cultural, familial, and religious phenomena. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Roman society and culture. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Examine, analyze, and interpret ancient texts in translation. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Critique ancient Greek, Roman, and/or Near Eastern societies and cultures and compare them to other societies and cultures. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Assess and critique the value of the concepts of “conspiracy” and “conspiracy theory” for understanding historical, political, social, cultural, familial, and religious phenomena. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027