Faculty Profile
Christopher Francese
The Asbury J. Clarke Professor of Classical Studies (1996)
Contact Information
on sabbatical Spring 2026
East College
717-245-1202
Bio
My main teaching focus is on Latin literature and Greek and Roman Mythology. I also teach a course on a classical approach to public speaking. I have written books on ancient Rome and Latin literature: Ancient Rome: An Anthology of Sources (2014, with Scott Smith); Ancient Rome in So Many Words (2007), Parthenius of Nicaea and Roman Poetry (2001) and Latin and Ancient Greek Core Vocabularies (2020). I love working with secondary teachers and direct a series of professional development workshops for Latin teachers, the Dickinson Latin Workshops. My other passion is digital humanities, and getting students involved with the creation of high-quality resources for learners of Latin and Greek. I direct °µÍø½ûÇø Commentaries, a series of online multimedia editions of classical texts, and co-direct Dickinson Classics Online, which provides resources for Chinese speaking students of Latin and Greek. I also produce the Latin Poetry Podcast, a series of Latin texts translated and read aloud in the original.
Education
- B.A., Oberlin College, 1987
- M.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1989
- Ph.D., 1993
2026-2027 Academic Year
Fall 2026
LATN 201 Introduction to Roman Prose
Review of syntax and selected readings from prose authors, with study of literary technique and discussion of supplementary readings in English.
Prerequisite: 102 or the equivalent.
LATN 233 Cicero's Philippics
Readings from Roman historians such as Sallust, Caesar and Livy, with study of Roman political values.Prerequisite: 202 or the equivalent.
CLST 390 Senior Research Colloquium
This capstone course for the classical studies major includes an individually designed research project on an open question in Classical Studies based on a set of primary sources or data, and a reflective essay that applies one or more classical texts to a contemporary issue or problem of the student’s choosing. A syllabus of common readings is developed based on student interests as determined prior to the course. Class meetings include discussion of common readings, presentation of draft research and ideas for the reflective essay, field trips to museums and visiting lectures, and discussion of the value of the classical studies major to prospective employers and others. Results of the research and reflection will be published on Dickinson Scholar and publicized via the department blog.Prerequisite: Three LATN or GREK courses above 102 and CLST 251 or 253.
Spring 2027
CLST 150 Pub Sp:Secrets fr Classical Tr
An introduction to the ancient art of public persuasion, with examination of more recent examples of effective speeches at crucial junctures in American history, insights from the Greek and Roman theorists and practitioners, and practice putting these ideas and techniques to use. Since speech can be a weapon as well as an art, the class examines the ethical aspects of oratory in the context of citizenship in a republic.
LATN 352 Roman Satire
Readings from the satires of Juvenal or Horace with study of Roman social life in the early Principate.
Prerequisite: at least one course at the 200-level.