BA in Classics
Classics major Ashley Cohen with her award-winning poster at the 2018 Celebration of Academic Excellence
Undergraduate majors discover the legacy of the Greek and Roman world and its historical importance in our own culture by:
- Gaining knowledge of the fundamental elements of classics through study of the languages, Greek and Roman history, art, archaeology and culture/
- Developing their ability to read and analyze texts closely, whether in translation or in the original language.
- Demonstrating this ability through expertise in writing papers and drawing on research tools, such as texts, documents, physical remains, scholarly articles and books, theoretical approaches and digital tools,
- Taking advantage of supplemental classroom learning with experience abroad, whether as part of an archaeological expedition or study abroad program.
Touring the Roman Forum
Degree Requirements
The BA in Classics degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework.
Classical Languages and Literature Major
(11 CL classes required [33 credits], of which 8 must be 300-level or higher)
This major track focuses on the study of the classical languages. Students may focus solely on either Greek or Latin, or may study both Greek and Latin.
Civilization Requirement
· CL 222 (Greek Civilization)
· CL 223 (Roman Civilization)
Capstone Requirement
· CL 494 (Classics Capstone)
Language Requirement
· Six classes in Greek and/or Latin at the 300/400-level
GR 101, GR 201, GR 301, GR 302, GR 401, GR 402 (Ancient Greek Language Sequence); LAT 101, LAT 201, LAT 301, LAT 302, LAT 401, LAT 402 (Latin Language Sequence)
Elective Requirement (one of which must be 300/400-level)
Two CL courses or approved courses in another department
Classical Civilization Major
(11 CL classes required [33 credits], of which 8 must be 300-level or higher)
This major track combines the study of either Greek or Latin with the study of classical culture more generally.
Civilization Requirement
· CL 222 (Greek Civilization)
· CL 223 (Roman Civilization)
Language Requirement (in either Greek or Latin)
· GR/LAT 301
· GR/LAT 302
Capstone Requirement
· CL 494 (Classics Capstone)
Distribution Requirement (6 classes, 5 of which must be at the 300/400-level)
· Archaeology (at least one class)
CL 105 (Greek & Roman Archaeology), CL 200 (Introduction to Classical Archaeology), CL 202 (Archaeology and Rediscovery of the Classical World), CL 361 (Art & Archaeology of Egypt), CL 336 (Greek Archaeology I), CL 337 (Greek Archaeology II), CL 338 (Roman Archaeology I), CL 339 (Roman Archaeology II), CL 440 (Pompeii)
· History (at least one class)
CL 110 (Latest News from the Ancient World), CL 112 (Stone Axe to Tank), CL 362 (Greek History), CL 228 (Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean World), CL 327 (Roman History I), CL 328 (Roman History II), CL 332 (Athenian Empire), CL 381 (Alexander the Great), CL 408 (End of Rome & Birth of Europe), CL 445 (Christians in the Roman Empire)
· Literature and Culture (at least one class)
CL 113 (Myth & Religion in the Ancient World), CL 180 (Ancient Sport), CL 205 (Heroes), CL 210 (Women in the Ancient World), CL 363 (Roman Religion), CL 287 (Study Abroad), CL 315 (Classical Epic Traditions), CL 316 (Drama in Translation), CL 333 (The Ancient World in the Movies), CL 340 (Classical Origins of Western Literature), CL 422 (The Greek City), CL 423 (Greek Religion); GR 101, GR 201, GR 301, GR 302, GR 401, GR 402 (Ancient Greek Language Sequence); LAT 101, LAT 201, LAT 301, LAT 302, LAT 401, LAT 402 (Latin Language Sequence)
Greek and Roman Culture Major
(11 CL classes required [33 credits], of which 8 must be 300-level or higher)
This major track emphasizes the study of Greek and Roman culture. There is no language requirement, although students may take either Greek or Latin for credit toward the major.
Civilization Requirement
· CL 222 (Greek Civilization)
· CL 223 (Roman Civilization)
Capstone Requirement
· CL 494 (Classics Capstone)
Distribution Requirement (8 classes, 7 of which must be at the 300/400-level)
· Archaeology (at least one class)
CL 105 (Greek & Roman Archaeology), CL 200 (Introduction to Classical Archaeology), CL 202 (Archaeology and Rediscovery of the Classical World), CL 361 (Art & Archaeology of Egypt), CL 336 (Greek Archaeology I), CL 337 (Greek Archaeology II), CL 338 (Roman Archaeology I), CL 339 (Roman Archaeology II), CL 440 (Pompeii)
· History (at least one class)
CL 110 (Latest News from the Ancient World), CL 112 (Stone Axe to Tank), CL 362 (Greek History), CL 228 (Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean World), CL 327 (Roman History I), CL 328 (Roman History II), CL 332 (Athenian Empire), CL 381 (Alexander the Great), CL 408 (End of Rome & Birth of Europe), CL 445 (Christians in the Roman Empire)
· Literature and Culture (at least one class)
CL 113 (Myth & Religion in the Ancient World), CL 180 (Ancient Sport), CL 205 (Heroes), CL 210 (Women in the Ancient World), CL 363 (Roman Religion), CL 287 (Study Abroad), CL 315 (Classical Epic Traditions), CL 316 (Drama in Translation), CL 333 (The Ancient World in the Movies), CL 340 (Classical Origins of Western Literature), CL 422 (The Greek City), CL 423 (Greek Religion); GR 101, GR 201, GR 301, GR 302, GR 401, GR 402 (Ancient Greek Language Sequence); LAT 101, LAT 201, LAT 301, LAT 302, LAT 401, LAT 402 (Latin Language Sequence)
Acceptance Criteria
Students wishing to pursue an undergraduate major must complete all General Education Requirements with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Student Testimonials
"What I like best about the Department of Classics is that it is small so you really get a chance to connect with professors and other students, forming relationships and connections that are difficult to make in a larger department."
– Ashley Cohen, BA '18