CLAS 1706 The Self and its Limits: Greco-Roman Slavery
This is an Enduring Question course and is open to FRESHMEN only. You must take both CLAS1706 and PHIL1727. What is the relationship between the individual self and its social roles? These paired courses examine what factors make us free individuals and how that freedom has historically been removed from certain people. One course will explore the nature of the self in historical and contemporary perspectives from East and West to look at the nature of self-consciousness and personhood. The other will investigate how ancient Greeks and Romans justified the enslavement of individuals for material gain and how ancient slavery influenced American society both in terms of its use of slave-labor and in the arguments made for abolition.
Course overview
- Department
- Classical Studies
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Cultural Diversity,Literature
Requirements fulfilled
- Classics: Electives (five courses, 15 credits minimum): any Classical Studies course, or approved electives from other departments (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Ancient Greek: III. One elective: either Greek (intermediate or above) or a course on Greek civilization (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Latin: III. One elective: either Latin (intermediate or above) or a course on Roman civilization (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Cultural Diversity (All undergraduates)
- University Core: Literature (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.25 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.56 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Thomas Sapsford | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.9 | — | 13 of 19 |
| Fall 2024 | Thomas Sapsford | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 18 |