Curriculum Overview

Classics

The Department of Classics provides instruction in Greek, Latin, ancient history and classical art and archaeology. Classics is an interdisciplinary area studies program, applying the approaches of humanists and social scientists to the history, art, language, literature, philosophy, religion, social structures, economy, everyday life and government of the ancient Mediterranean. Classics students learn how to weigh and assimilate information from a variety of media and disciplines in order to become productive and thoughtful citizens of a rapidly changing world.

A student may major in Greek, in Latin or in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.

A major in Greek consists of six courses above GRK 102, two Latin courses, CLS 113 and CLS 148 or CLS 149. For consideration for departmental honors, successful completion of LAT 202 is ordinarily required of those who major in Greek.

A major in Latin consists of six courses above LAT 102, two Greek courses, CLS 114 and CLS 148 or CLS 149. For consideration for departmental honors, successful completion of GRK 202 is ordinarily required of those who major in Latin.

A major in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History consists of 12 courses. The required courses are CLS 113, 114, 120 or 130 or 230 and 148 or 149 and a two-semester sequence of either ancient Greek or Latin. In addition, each student must take a total of three upper-level seminars in ancient archaeology (CLS 476-477 and CLS 478-479) and in ancient history (CLS 421 and CLS 422), taking either two in archaeology or two in history. The remaining three required courses may be selected from among the offerings in the Classics department including Greek, Latin and, with the approval of the Classics department, from among courses such as ancient philosophy and classical political theory offered by other departments. For consideration for departmental honors in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, successful completion of LAT 202 or one 300-level Greek course is ordinarily required.

The writing requirement in the Classics majors is met by completing the courses required for the majors.

A student in Classics may minor in Greek or Latin or in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.

1. The minor in Greek: six courses in Greek.
2. The minor in Latin: six courses in Latin.
3. The minor in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History consists of six courses: CLS 113, CLS 114, CLS 120 or 130 or 230, CLS 148 or 149, CLS 421 or 422 and CLS 476-477 or 478-479.

Majors in the Department of Classics have studied abroad in the following programs in recent years: College Year in Athens; American University in Cairo; Arcadia University in Greece; Poggio Colla Archaeological Field School; Departmental summer programs in Italy and Greece. See the International Programs section of the Catalog for further information.