Spring Break
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Classics
Forum | 11/2/04
Posted online at 2:56 AM EST on 11/2/04
To the Editor:
After somewhat belatedly hearing about Dean Adam's Jaffe's suggestions and proposal (news article, Oct. 19), I feel compelled to add my voice of support to the classical studies department.
I came to Brandeis specifically because of the department of classical studies. Although I chose to major in the classical archaeology and ancient history track rather than one of the department's language and literature tracks, I sampled everything the department had to offer, including both Greek and Latin language courses.
To suggest that there is no worth in offering courses in Greek language and literature is inconceivable and upsetting. As others have pointed out, Greek, as well as Latin, form the backbone of nearly all the modern languages offered at Brandeis and elsewhere. Prof. Ana Olga Koloski-Ostrow herself affirmed that those in mathematical or scientific fields often employ Greek in their work and come to her for her specific classics expertise.
Furthermore, Jaffe's suggestion that Greek authors, such as Homer or Aristophanes, could be taught solely in translation is outrageous. No student of literature ever thinks that a translation is a proper substitute for the original language. Having read texts such as the Iliad and Beowulf in the original, I can certainly attest to the fact that students, if not presented with the opportunity to learn and appreciate ancient Greek, will lose out on more than just a class; they will lose the opportunity to love and be challenged by an ancient text unadulterated by the mistakes or whims of a translator.
I am also incensed by the idea that classical studies should be reduced in stature to simply an interdepartmental program with the professors scattered to whatever departments Jaffe thinks would be most expedient. Classical studies is a vibrant field, and should be viewed as an integral whole, not as a patchwork of courses culled from professors placed in different departments. There is no good way to break up a classical studies department without losing the profound contributions of the field. It is no less a single entity than English, chemistry or psychology, and it is completely outrageous that Jaffe is suggesting that it is.
After somewhat belatedly hearing about Dean Adam's Jaffe's suggestions and proposal (news article, Oct. 19), I feel compelled to add my voice of support to the classical studies department.
I came to Brandeis specifically because of the department of classical studies. Although I chose to major in the classical archaeology and ancient history track rather than one of the department's language and literature tracks, I sampled everything the department had to offer, including both Greek and Latin language courses.
To suggest that there is no worth in offering courses in Greek language and literature is inconceivable and upsetting. As others have pointed out, Greek, as well as Latin, form the backbone of nearly all the modern languages offered at Brandeis and elsewhere. Prof. Ana Olga Koloski-Ostrow herself affirmed that those in mathematical or scientific fields often employ Greek in their work and come to her for her specific classics expertise.
Furthermore, Jaffe's suggestion that Greek authors, such as Homer or Aristophanes, could be taught solely in translation is outrageous. No student of literature ever thinks that a translation is a proper substitute for the original language. Having read texts such as the Iliad and Beowulf in the original, I can certainly attest to the fact that students, if not presented with the opportunity to learn and appreciate ancient Greek, will lose out on more than just a class; they will lose the opportunity to love and be challenged by an ancient text unadulterated by the mistakes or whims of a translator.
I am also incensed by the idea that classical studies should be reduced in stature to simply an interdepartmental program with the professors scattered to whatever departments Jaffe thinks would be most expedient. Classical studies is a vibrant field, and should be viewed as an integral whole, not as a patchwork of courses culled from professors placed in different departments. There is no good way to break up a classical studies department without losing the profound contributions of the field. It is no less a single entity than English, chemistry or psychology, and it is completely outrageous that Jaffe is suggesting that it is.
