Classics, BA

The classics degree provides students with the opportunity to study Greco-Roman antiquity through advanced courses in translation in fields such as history, literature, art and philosophy. Students also acquire advanced proficiency in Latin and Greek.

B.A. Requirements for Classics Majors

24 advanced credits

  • 12 must be in the chosen major language (Greek or Latin) at the 3000 level or above.
  • 6 minimum may be selected from offerings at the 3000 level or above in Classics courses in English translation (CLC).
  • 6 additional credits may be chosen, with advice from the chairman, from offerings in other departments at the 3000 level or above in the literature, politics, philosophy, history, etc. of the ancient world (related field).

Whenever possible, the Classics faculty will assist the student in doing work for CLC and Related Field courses in the appropriate classical language.

A Second Language (Greek or Latin) must be completed through one intermediate course (Greek 2315, Latin 2311). Advanced courses are recommended.

The major in Classics requires only 4 advanced language classes. There is thus more space for advanced courses in translation on the history, literature, art or philosophy of antiquity. This is designed for students who do want a thorough grounding in the language and life of the ancient world, but have less time for advanced language study — perhaps because they came with little or no prior training in Greek and Latin; or perhaps because they wish to take a double major in Classics and some other field; or for some other reason.

Senior Project & Comprehensive Exam

The Senior Project is a research paper of an ancient text in the chosen major language (Greek or Latin) presented orally at the end of the senior year. The Comprehensive Examination is a requirement for graduation and must be completed by the end of March of the senior year. It has three components: Annotated Bibliography for your Senior Project, Sight Translation of a passage in your major language (taken at the end of the Advanced Grammar and Composition course or separately), Ancient History exam. Please speak with your Classics advisor for details.

 

classics student

 

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The following outline assumes that the student will participate in the Rome Program in the spring of sophomore year.

Year I

Fall (15 credits)
        Greek 1301 Elementary Greek
        Latin 1301 Elementary Latin
        English 1301 Literary Traditions I
        Philosophy 1301 Philosophy and the Ethical Life
        Politics 1311 Principles of American Politics

Spring (15 credits)
        Greek 1302 Elementary Greek II
        Latin 1302 Elementary Latin II
        English 1302 Literary Traditions II
        Theology 1310 Understanding the Bible
        Art, Drama, Math, Music

Year II

Fall (15 credits)
        Greek 2315 Intermediate Greek
        Latin 2311 Intermediate Latin I: Roman Prose
        English 2311 Literary Traditions IV
        History 2301 Western Civilization I
        Art, Drama, Math, Music

Spring (15 credits)
        English 2312 Literary Traditions III
        History 2302 Western Civilization II
        Theology 2311 Western Theological Tradition
        Art 2311 Art and Architecture of Rome
        Philosophy 2323 The Human Person

Year III

Fall (16 credits)
        Adv. Major Language or Latin 2312
        Intermediate Latin II: Roman Prose
        Philosophy 3311 Philosophy of Being
        History 1311 American Civilization I
        CLC or Related Field
        Science

Spring (16 credits)
        Adv. Major Language
        Science
        CLC or Related Field
        History 1312 American Civilization II
        Economics 1311 Fundamentals of Economics

Year IV

Fall (15 credits)
        Adv. Major Language
        Philosophy 3325 Ancient Philosophy
        or 4335 Philosophy of Language
        Adv. Major Language or Second Language or CLC Elective
        Second Language or CLC Elective

Spring (15 credits)
        Adv. Major Language or Second Language or Elective
        Senior Project
        Elective
        Elective
        Elective