B.A. in Classics
Students interested in the Classics major choose a concentration in either Classical Civilization, Greek, Latin, or Religion Studies.
Classical Civilization Concentration
The Classical Civilization Concentration is designed for students with a broad interest in the classical world. The major offers a wide variety of diverse subjects, including the literature, art, archaeology, history, law, religion, sport, and mythology of the Classical world. Colloquia are regularly offered covering such thematic topics as Violence, Gender and Sexuality, and Ancient Christianities. The course work for the major is all in English, but students may elect to substitute up to 12 hours of coursework in ancient Greek or Latin beyond the elementary level. The program provides students with a strong, general liberal arts education appropriate to many pursuits after college, including law, medicine, business, writing, and publishing.
Greek Concentration
The Greek Concentration offers instruction in Ancient Greek. Students learn to read original Greek text by such authors as Plato and Homer in the original, in order to enrich their knowledge of Classical languages. Students may select from a list of culture courses dealing with the art, archaeology, history, mythology, and literature of the Classical world. Colloquia are regularly offered covering such thematic topics as Violence, Gender and Sexuality, and Ancient Christianities. A Classics major provides an excellent foundation in the Western humanities while sharpening a student’s analytical skills and English vocabulary through the systematic study of the ancient languages.
Latin Concentration
The Latin Concentration offers instruction in Latin. Students learn to read original Latin text by such authors as Cicero and Vergil in the original, in order to enrich their knowledge of Classical languages. Students may select from a list of culture courses dealing with the art, archaeology, history, mythology, and literature of the Classical world. Colloquia are regularly offered covering such thematic topics as Violence, Gender and Sexuality, and Ancient Christianities. A Classics major provides an excellent foundation in the Western humanities while sharpening a student’s analytical skills and English vocabulary through the systematic study of the ancient languages.
Religion Studies Concentration
The Religion Studies concentration is founded on the study of the ancient multicultural traditions of the Mediterranean people, whose multiple worldviews gave rise to religious traditions that, together with the classical heritage, shaped successive Western civilizations. Students begin with a core of classics courses, in order to understand the cultural context within which the traditions of Second-Temple Judaism, Rabbinic Judaism, and early Christianities arise. Concentration requirements form an introduction to the content of classical world religions, including major Eastern traditions and Islam, and to the study of religion as an academic discipline. Upper-division courses examine the Classical and Western traditions in greater depth, explore the reception of and discourse about Western traditions with medieval and modern societies, or take a comparative approach to the examination of non-Western traditions. The program emphasizes critical thinking skills and provides a liberal arts education especially well-suited for those planning on careers as religious professionals.
Students interested in declaring the B.A. in Classics should contact the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies, where advising is mandatory.
Major Requirements:
- Requirements and Roadmap for the current year
- Requirements and Roadmap for 2019-2020
- Requirements and Roadmap for 2018-2019
ALL MCLS MINORS AND MAJORS MUST CONSULT AN MCLS ADVISOR EACH SEMESTER.
ALL UPPER-DIVISION COURSES ARE RESTRICTED. ALL STUDENTS REQUIRE A PERMIT FROM AN MCLS ADVISOR IN ORDER TO ENROLL IN SUCH COURSES.
A minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA is required for graduation.