Course Catalog

Classical Studies

Classics is an area study that approaches the ancient Mediterranean world from a broad variety of perspectives, including history, art, archaeology, religion, philosophy, literature and language. Thus, majors in classical studies have the opportunity to explore a wide range of humanistic disciplines. Work with the ancient languages encourages logical and creative thought, provides a sophisticated grasp of the possibilities of language and gives the student the opportunity to study in detail some of the greatest works of the human spirit.

A major in Classics is a good foundation for a wide variety of careers. Classics majors have gone on to successful careers in such fields as law, medicine, business, journalism, government, teaching, theatre and the arts. Some of our majors have double majored in fields such as Political Science, Philosophy and Chemistry.

The major in classical studies may be completed in any one of the following areas of concentration: Greek, Latin or Classical Civilization. Minors are offered in Classical Civilization, Greek, Latin and Classical Archaeology. Students majoring in Classical Studies are usually expected to complete their senior comprehensive requirement through the department's senior seminar. The seminar presents the opportunity for majors in Classical Civilization, Greek, or Latin to address a particular topic at an advanced level. Recent seminar topics include: "Rome in the Age of Augstus", "Athens in Contemporary Classical Scholarship", and "Test and Art in the Ancient World". Within the seminar, each student is expected to complete an independent research project related to the topic of the seminar. In exceptional cases, students may opt to complete the senior comprehensive requirement by completing an independent thesis project. Students interested in this possibility should confer with their departmental advisor about the specific requirements. Students who are double majoring in two Classical Studies disciplines (e.g., Latin and Classical Civilization) must complete a senior comprehensive requirement for both majors.

Majors and minors in Classical Studies are encouraged to participate in Winter Term trips to Italy and Greece (or elsewhere in the Mediterranean) and in semester abroad programs such as the College Year in Athens or the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. In many cases, courses taken in these programs count toward a Classical Studies major or minor. Students interested in Classical Archaeology are also encouraged to participate in summer fieldwork in the Mediterranean.

Students who are interested in teaching Latin in high school should take as much Latin as possible and consult with the Classical Studies and Education departments about certification. Students planning to attend graduate school in classics should either double major in Greek and Latin or major in one language and minor in the other. Students planning to attend graduate school in classical archaeology should try to major in one language and minor in Classical Archaeology.

Requirements for a major

Classical Civilization

Total courses required	Nine
Core courses	Two courses in Latin or Greek; one course from CLST 120 (formerly HIST 100), CLST 253, or CLST 254; one course from CLST 262, CLST 263, or CLST 264
Other required courses	Two courses in Latin, Greek or Classical Civilization (may be approved courses in other departments)
Number 300 and 400 level courses	Three (including CLST 454)
Senior requirement and capstone experience	The senior requirement usually consists of completion of CLST 454, Senior Seminar, which includes a major paper or project. In exceptional cases, students may opt to complete an independent senior thesis. For both options, students are expected to give a public presentation of their work.
Additional information	Up to two courses in allied areas outside the department, such as ancient history, ancient philosophy or ancient religion may count toward the Classical Civilization major.

Greek

Total courses required	Nine
Core courses	Six courses in Greek CLST 253 or CLST 263
Other required courses	One further course in Greek, Latin or Classical Civilization (may be approved courses in other departments)
Number 300 and 400 level courses	Two (in Greek) and CLST 454
Senior requirement and capstone experience	The senior requirement usually consists of completion of CLST 454, Senior Seminar, which includes a major paper or project. In exceptional cases, students may opt to complete an independent senior thesis. For both options, students are expected to give a public presentation of their work.

Latin

Total courses required	Nine
Core courses	Six courses in Latin; Either CLST 254 or CLST 264
Other required courses	One additional class in Latin, Greek or Classical Civilization is required.
Number 300 and 400 level courses	Two in Latin and CLST 454
Senior requirement and capstone experience	The senior requirement usually consists of completion of CLST 454, Senior Seminar, which includes a major paper or project. In exceptional cases, students may opt to complete an independent senior thesis. For both options, students are expected to give a public presentation of their work.

Requirements for a minor

Classical Archaeology

Total courses required	Five
Core courses	At least three from: CLST 161, CLST 262, CLST 263 and CLST 264 (161 is strongly recommended)
Other required courses	One elective in classical archaeology or an elective from Art History, Geology, Geography or Anthropology, as approved by the minor advisor.
Number 300 and 400 level courses	One

Classical Civilization

Total courses required	Five
Core courses	CLST 253, CLST 254 or CLST 120
Other required courses	Individual student program will be approved by the department.
Number 300 and 400 level courses	One

Greek

Total courses required	Four
Core courses	(there are no core courses for the minor)
Other required courses	Any four courses in Greek.
Number 300 and 400 level courses	One

Latin

Total courses required	Four
Core courses	(there are no core courses for the minor)
Other required courses	Any four courses in Latin.
Number 300 and 400 level courses	One