Classics

What You Will Learn

1. How to read, translate into English, and analyze ancient Greek and/or Latin texts.
2. Gain an understanding and knowledge of the cultural and historical developments of ancient Greek and Roman empires.
3. Become familiar with the geography of the ancient Mediterranean and the extent of its ancient empires. 
4. How to identify, describe, and analyze major archaeological sites, architecture, sculpture, and other artifacts from the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
5. How to critically analyze ancient cultural products such as texts and art and specialize in one of the subfields of classical studies (for example, Latin Literature, history of ancient Greece, Roman empire archaeology, etc.).
6. How to use specialized scholarship in Classics to support your research and intellectual interests.  

Classical Studies Track

The Classical Studies track is designed for students seeking a comprehensive background in the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean region as they prepare for careers in law, medicine, business, or other fields in which writing and strong critical thinking skills are essential.

To complete the Classical Studies major, students are required to complete satisfactorily ten courses plus the senior seminar in Classics (CLAS 190 PZ/SC/PO, to be taken in the fall of the senior year), unless an alternative is agreed upon with the student's adviser.

The ten courses must include:

• At least three courses in Greek or Latin; at least one course must be intermediate level or above (103 and 104 are half courses).
• Ideally students will take CLAS 001 PO (Greek and Roman Classics) early in their studies.
• The remaining courses will be chosen in consultation with the major adviser, and may be drawn from offerings in literature, archaeology, history, philosophy, culture.
• A senior thesis (CLAS 191) may count as one of these courses.
   

Classical Languages and Literature Track

To complete the option in Classical Languages, students are required to complete satisfactorily a total of ten courses in Greek and Latin (Classical Hebrew may be substituted for one of them) plus the senior seminar in Classics (CLAS 190 PZ/SC/PO ). Students must complete at least four courses in one of the two languages chosen (at least one of those courses must be numbered 100 or above; 103 and 104 are half courses) and at least three courses in the other language (one of these courses must be numbered 100 or above), but students are encouraged to take additional courses in each language. Additional courses in archaeology, literature, history, and culture shall be chosen in consultation with the student's adviser; a senior thesis may count as one of these courses. The senior seminar (CLAS 190 PZ/SC/PO, to be taken in the fall of the senior year), unless an alternative is agreed upon with the student's adviser.

For students intending to pursue graduate study in Classics or Classical Archaeology, a command of both Greek and Latin is essential (with proficiency through the Advanced level in at least one language); acquiring reading competency in French, German, and/or Italian is strongly recommended. Interested students should meet with their advisers early in their academic careers to plan for graduate school.
 

Classics Combined Major

Students may pursue a combined major in Classics and another discipline that reflects a coherent integration of both fields of study. The Classics portion of the combined major requires satisfactory completion of seven courses in Classics (including a sequence in an ancient language) plus the Senior Seminar (so a total of eight classes). Students may count two courses towards both fields of the combined major.

Combined Classics Major Requirements:

• Three semesters or equivalent in ancient Greek (GRK 22, 33, and 44), Latin (LATN 22, 33, and 44) or another language relevant to the combined major, as determined in consultation with Classics adviser.
• Four elective courses related to ancient Mediterranean culture. These must include courses in at least two different disciplinary areas (art/archaeology, history, literature in translation, etc.), to be chosen in consultation with Classics advisor.  
• Senior Seminar (CLAS 190), in which student develops a thesis or other capstone project that engages with the intersection of both disciplines of the combined majors.

Combined major in Classics and Anthropology 

Students interested in archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean (and/or ancient Near East) may pursue a combined Classics and Anthropology major with the following requirements:

• Complete all requirements for the combined major in Classics listed above, with at least two of the four Classics elective courses covering archaeology and/or material culture of the ancient Mediterranean and/or ancient Near East/Egypt (determined in consultation with adviser).
• Students may, with approval of their adviser, substitute an additional elective course for one semester of the language requirement.
• Complete all requirements for the combined major in Anthropology (HEAM track), with at least two of those elective courses focused on the ancient Mediterranean and/or Near East.
• As noted in the Anthropology combined major requirements, two of the courses in the combined major may be counted toward both disciplines (so, for instance, a course in Greek archaeology and a course in Roman archaeology may count towards both Classics and Anthropology).

Classical Studies Track

To complete a Minor in Classical Studies, students must satisfactorily complete six courses. Ideally this will include CLAS 001 PO (Greek and Roman Classics), which should be taken early in their studies. The remaining courses typically include offerings in literature, history, archaeology, and culture; they must be selected in consultation with their minor adviser.

Classical Languages and Literature Track

To complete a Minor in Classical Languages and Literature, students must satisfactorily complete six courses, including a sequence of three courses in Greek or Latin (one of these must be intermediate level or above; 103 and 104 are half courses). Ideally this will include CLAS 001 PO (Greek and Roman Classics), which should be taken early in their studies. The remaining courses are typically drawn from offerings in literature, history, archaeology and culture; they must be selected in consultation with the student's minor adviser.
 

Classical Mythology 
CLAS 121 JT
Greek and Roman mythology through both literature (in translation) and visual material (ancient art, architecture, and other material culture).

Fantastic Archaeology
CLAS 020 PZ
An exploration of popular and fantastic interpretations of archaeological sites and finds. This course investigates pseudoscientific explanations of archaeological questions and the biases that underlie them. 

The Roman Empire in the East 
CLAS 150BE PZ
The eastern Mediterranean and modern Middle East are home to some of the richest evidence for urban culture in the Roman imperial period and late antiquity. Drawing on archeological and other evidence, this seminar explores the urban social and religious life in cities like Alexandria, Ephesus, Palmyra, etc.