This class is interesting and enjoyable even if you have no background in classics. Prof. Kuin is engaging and creates an environment where students with extensive prior knowledge of ancient texts and those coming in completely fresh can both participate meaningfully in discussion. If you've never heard of half the people being discussed, you won't feel lost. The class centers on race and characters from antiquity, and discussion is really the heart of it so expect to come to class ready to engage with the readings rather than just listen to a lecture. The conversations are genuinely interesting, touching on how ancient ideas about identity and race connect to broader questions that still feel relevant today.
In terms of assignments, they are weekly readings paired with short writing responses. Beyond that, there's a midterm in-class paper that you can bring a cheat sheet to, a partner project where you analyze an ancient artifact, and a final research paper.