Classics, Classical Studies, Modern Greek

The Department of Classics offers an A.B. in Classics (with concentrations in Classical Studies, Hellenic Studies, Greek, Latin, or Greek and Latin), a minor in Classical Studies, and a minor in modern Greek.

The remarkable diversity of subject matter included under the term Classics allows for several areas of concentration within the Classics major. This same diversity also makes a minor in Classics compatible with a wide range of other departments in the University.

The Department of Classics offers courses in Latin and Greek at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced undergraduate levels, including courses designed for students who have already been working at an advanced level for several years; in addition, the department offers courses in Classical Studies that explore ancient material and textual evidence through readings in English.

Major in Classics

Requirements for A.B. in Classics

The department offers a major in Classics with specializations in Classical Studies, Hellenic Studies, Greek, Latin, or Greek and Latin. Requirements for each are listed below.

Concentration in Classical Studies

11 courses, including:

two (2) classes in Classical Studies (CLSS) at the 1000-level
two (2) classes in Classical Studies (CLSS) at the 2000-level or higher
one (1) class in Classical Studies (CLSS) at the 3000-level or higher
one (1) class in Latin (CLSL) or Greek (CLSG) at the 1511-level or higher OR the two-semester beginning sequence in Latin or Greek (CLSL 1011/1012 or CLSG 1011/1012)
four (4) – five (5) electives in CLSS, CLSG, or CLSL

Concentration in Hellenic Studies

11 courses, including:

two (2) classes in Modern Greek (GREE) (GREE-1011, if counted, must be followed by GREE-1012)
two (2) classes in Ancient Greek (CLSG-1011–4999) (CLSG-1011, if counted, must be followed by CLSG-1012)
three (3) additional classes in Modern or Ancient Greek
four (4) electives in Greek language, history, or culture in either CLSG, GREE, CLSS, or a suitable substitute as determined by the chair of the Classics Department

Concentration in Latin

11 courses, including:

six (6) classes in Latin (CLSL) at the 1511-level or above
one (1) class in Classical Studies (CLSS) at the 1000-level
one (1) additional class in Classical Studies (CLSS) at 1000-level or above
three (3) electives in CLSL, CLSS, or CLSG

Concentration in Greek

11 courses, including:

six (6) classes in Greek (CLSG) at the 1511-level or above
one (1) class in Classical Studies (CLSS) at the 1000-level
one (1) additional class in Classical Studies (CLSS) at the 1000-level or above
three (3) electives in CLSL, CLSS, or CLSG

Concentration in Greek and Latin

11 courses, including:

three (3) classes in Greek (CLSG) at the 1511-level or above
three (3) classes in Latin (CLSL) at the 1511-level or above
one (1) additional class in Latin (CLSL) or Greek (CLSG) at the 2000-level or above
one (1) class in CLSS at the 1000-level
one (1) class in CLSS at the 1000-level or above
two (2) electives in CLSL, CLSS, or CLSG

Integrated Writing: Department of Classics

The Classical Studies major develops students’ writing skills in all of its courses. In CLSS courses, students at the 1000-level write more frequent and shorter papers that develop analytical and argumentative skills. Papers at this level will make use of primary sources (ancient authors, inscriptions, objects) as well as secondary reading (i.e. modern scholarship). At the 2000-level, students will write more than they do in 1000-level courses, usually in the form of longer assignments that make use of more sources. These courses also typically expect independent student research into specific problems. At the 3000 and 4000 levels, students write longer research papers which require deep engagement with primary evidence as well as modern scholarship. Students in this track thus progress through a curriculum that develops their writing skills at each step.

Those majoring in Classical Languages are required to take 1000 and 2000 level CLSS courses and will thus develop their writing skills in those courses. In CLSL and CLSG courses at the 2000 level and above, students will be asked to complete a variety of analytical writing assignments, ranging from short comments to research papers that depend upon and originate from the Latin or Greek texts that has formed the basis of the course. Students in this track develop writing skills that build upon the foundational CLSS courses, but then use their knowledge of Latin and Greek authors as the basis to demonstrate their own writing skills.

Senior Honors Exercise

The department offers select, qualified seniors the option of writing a senior thesis or taking written and oral exams on a reading list of Greek and Latin texts (read in the original language). Students will research and write their theses, or prepare for their exams, in the context of tutorials taken in both semesters of their senior year. Permission to participate in either of these exercises is by application to and approval of the department in the student’s junior year. Details on the senior exercises are spelled out on the departmental website.

Minors in Department of Classics

Requirements for the Minor in Classical Studies

The Classical Studies minor requires six courses in CLSS, CLSL, CLSG at any level.

Requirements for the Minor in Modern Greek

For a minor in Modern Greek a student must complete six courses from the following list:

GREE-1011 & 1012 Intensive First Level Modern Greek I & II
GREE-1511 & 1512 Intensive Second Level Modern Greek I & II
GREE-2011 & 2012 Intensive Third Level Modern Greek I & II
GREE-4949 Tutorial: Greek

Periodic course offerings in Modern Greek:

GREE-1031 Greek Society and Pop Culture
GREE-1045 Contemporary Greek Literature (in English)
GREE-1051 Greece Antiquity to Today (in English)
GREE-1055 Byzantine History and Civilization (in English)
GREE-2085 World Visions of Modern Greece (in English)
GREE-3011 & 3012 Media Greek and Advanced Writing I & II
GREE-3056 Greek Business Culture

For course listings for Modern Greek and Classics see the Schedule of Classes