Classical Languages and Literature

In addition to the learning goals for all majors, each of the three language tracks asks students to:

• attain a sophisticated understanding of the ancient language(s) and a deepened understanding of how language constructs meaning
• attain a deep familiarity with foundational literary works and genres through close reading and critical analysis of the content and structure of texts in the original language(s)
• understand the ancient language(s) as the source for the terminology of medicine, law, and the sciences
• understand the wide-ranging influence of classical literature from antiquity to the modern era on cultural and creative enterprise
• draw on the rhetorical and narrative strategies of classical literature to strengthen and refine skills in writing clearly and persuasively

Our department provides free "drop-in" tutoring available to all students in Elementary Latin and Greek courses.

Effective Fall 2024:

Requirements (Minimum Credits for Major: 27)
This major requires study of both classical Greek and Latin; the student chooses one language as the primary language for the purpose of determining requirements.

The student takes a minimum of nine courses (of at least three credits each) including: 

1. In the primary language, at least three courses at the 400-level or above.
2. In the secondary language, at least one course at the 400 level or above (300 level courses can’t be used in the secondary language).
3. At least 3 additional upper level language courses (300 level count in the primary language only; courses in the secondary language must be at the 400 level or above).
4. One introductory course selected from ARCHAM or CLARCH (221 or 222), CLCIV (202 or 302), or HISTORY (200 or 201).
   
5. At least one upper-level (300- or 400- level) course in Greek or Roman civilization, archaeology, or history.  Minimum of three credits.

Three credits of Independent Study (GREEK 499 and LATIN 499) may be used with written approval of the department advisor.

NEW MINOR EFFECTIVE FALL 2024

Minor in Classical Languages

This minor is designed to provide a basic but contextual and broad familiarity with one (Latin or ancient Greek) or both (Latin and ancient Greek) classical languages, their literature, history, archaeology, and civilization. More specifically, it requires students to study, at the intermediate and advanced levels, one or both of the Classical Languages and authors writing poetry and/or prose. At the same time, it acquaints the student with the broader historical, social, and cultural context in which these authors worked. The minor is especially suitable for pre-professional students and students majoring in disciplines like history, philosophy, art history, anthropology, political science, psychology etc., because of the significant linguistic, conceptual, and scientific influence of Greco-Roman culture throughout the globe in the last two millennia.

Prerequisites
Depending on the track that the student chooses, the prerequisites are:

For Greek (Ancient) Language and Literature Track:
Greek 301 or 307 as determined by placement exam

For Latin Language and Literature Track:
Latin 231.004 or Latin 232 or Latin 233 or Latin 294 or equivalent as determined by placement exam.For the Classical Languages and Literature Track:
If the primary language is Greek (Ancient) then the required prerequisites are Greek 301 or 307 or equivalent as determined by placement exam. If the primary language is Latin, then the prerequisites are Latin 231.004 or Latin 232 or 233 or Latin 294 or equivalent as determined by placement exam.

Requirements

Greek (Ancient) Language and Literature Requirements:

1.  At least two upper-level courses in Greek language and literature, Greek 302 or 308, or higher (6-7 credits)

2.  At least one broad introductory course in Greek civilization from the following: CLCIV 101, ARCHAM or CLARCH 221, HISTORY 200 (4 credits)

3.  At least one upper-level (300 or 400-level) course in Greek civilization, archaeology or history (3-4 credits)

4.  Another course from 1, 2 or 3 above (3-4 credits) 

Latin Language and Literature Track:

1.  At least two upper-level courses in Latin language and literature Latin 301 or higher (6 credits)

2.  At least one broad introductory course in Roman civilization from the following: CLCIV 202, ARCHAM or CLARCH 222, HISTORY 201 or CLCIV/HISTORY 302 (4 credits)

3.  At least one upper-level (300 or 400-level) course in Roman civilization, archaeology or history (3 or 4 credits)

4.  Another course from 1, 2 or 3 above (3 or 4 credits) 

Classical Languages and Literature Track:

1.  At least one elementary course in the second language for the minor (e.g. if student selected Greek (Ancient) as their primary language, then this requirement would be fulfilled with Latin and vice versa). (4-8 credits)

2.  At least one upper-level course in each language (Greek 401 or higher; Latin 301 or higher) (6 credits)

3.  At least one additional course in Greek (Ancient), Latin, Greek civilization or Roman civilization, history or archaeology (3-6 credits)

Honors Major

Interested students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 should contact their department advisor to discuss an Honors thesis no later than the winter term of their junior year.

It is the student's responsibility to find a suitable faculty advisor to oversee the thesis project. This project and its components are to be decided collectively by the student and the advisor at the end of the junior year. We encourage students to think creatively about the approach to their research and thesis project. Thesis advisors must sign off on a student's thesis project proposal.

At the end of the thesis project, the candidate must offer an oral defense of this work to a committee comprised of the thesis advisor and another faculty member, and present their research findings at the Classical Studies Honors Symposium.

In addition to the above requirements, students pursuing an Honors major must satisfy the following:

• 3.4 minimum cumulative GPA; 3.5 minimum major GPA;
• Completion of an Honors thesis and oral defense in coordination with a Classics faculty member
• Completion of one additional Greek or Latin course at the 420-level or above (CLCIV 480 & GREEK/LATIN 495 do not satisfy this requirement)
• CLCIV 480 section titled "Research Seminar" (Fall term)

Students may also elect GREEK or LATIN 495 (taken in the primary language) for 1-2 credits in the Fall and 1-3 credits in the Winter but are not required to do so.

For additional information see the Senior Honors Thesis section.

Download the Checklist for your major or minor!