Program Requirements and Opportunities

GREEK, LATIN, AND CLASSICAL STUDIES  

There are two different tracks for undergraduates who wish to major within our department: Classical Culture and Society (CCAS) and Classical Language (CLAN). Each track has a different set of requirements, but each involves a combination of courses in the ancient languages and courses in translation.  Courses in Greek (GREK) and Latin (LATN) involve the study of the ancient language and reading texts in that language. Courses for which a knowledge of Greek or Latin is not required are listed under Classical Studies (CSTS).

In addition to the sequence of courses specified for each major, all majors are expected to have read through the Classics Reading List before they participate in the Senior Seminar, a required full-year course. In the first term, students refine their ability to read, discuss, and critique Classical texts through engagement with scholarship from various fields of Classics, while laying the groundwork for their senior thesis research.  In the second term, they conduct independent research, culminating in a substantial thesis paper and a presentation to the department.

In addition to completing the course requirements for each type of major (Classical Culture & Society or Classical Languages), every student must fulfill the requisite training in writing within the discipline by taking as part of her major plan two courses that are designated as Writing Attentive or a single course designated as Writing Intensive. The student may count a Writing Attentive or Intensive course that is taught outside the department if it is included in the major plan.

Students, according to their concentrations, are encouraged to consider a term of study during junior year in programs such as the College Year in Athens or the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome.

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GREEK 

The major in Greek is designed to acquaint the students with the various aspects of Greek culture through a mastery of the language and a comprehension of Greek history, mythology, religion, and the other basic forms of expression through which the culture developed. The works of poets, philosophers, and historians are studied both in their historical context and in relation to subsequent Western thought.  Students who major in Greek pursue an intensive curriculum in the language, and in addition do work at the advanced level in allied fields.

College Foreign Language Requirement

The College's foreign language requirement may be satisfied by completing two semesters of Greek with an average grade of at least 2.0 or with a grade of 2.0 or better in the second semester.

Major Requirements

Requirements in the major are two courses in Greek at the introductory level, two courses at the 100 level, two courses at the 200 level, one course at the 300 level (or above) and the Senior Seminar and the thesis.

Also required are three courses to be distributed as follows: one in Greek history, one in Greek archaeology, and one in Greek philosophy. 

In addition to completing the course requirements for the Greek major, every student must fulfill the requisite training in writing within the discipline by taking as part of her major plan two courses that are designated as Writing Attentive or a single course designated as Writing Intensive. The student may count a Writing Attentive or Intensive course that is taught outside the department if it is included in the major plan.

By the end of the senior year, majors will be required to have completed a sight translation examination from Greek to English.

Prospective majors in Greek are advised to take Greek in their first year.  Greek majors interested in pursuing advanced degrees are advised also to have a firm grounding in Latin.

Minor Requirements

Requirements for a minor in Greek are two courses at the introductory level, two courses at the 100 level, two courses at the 200 level. 

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LATIN 

The Major in Latin is designed to acquaint the student with Roman literature, history, and culture, which are examined both in their classical context and as influences on the medieval, Renaissance, and modern world.  Students who major in Latin pursue an intensive curriculum in the language, and in addition do work at the advanced level in an allied field. 

College Foreign Language Requirement

The College's foreign language requirement may be satisfied by completing two semesters of Latin with an average grade of at least 2.0 or with a grade of 2.0 or better in the second semester.

Major Requirements

Requirements for the major are two courses in Latin at the 100 level, two literature courses at the 200 level, two literature courses at the 300 level, HIST 207 or 208, Senior Seminar and thesis, and two courses to be selected from the following: Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology at the 100 level or above; Greek at the 100 level or above; French, Italian or Spanish at the 200 level or above. Courses taken at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome are accepted as part of the major.

In addition to completing the course requirements for the Latin major, every student must fulfill the requisite training in writing within the discipline by taking as part of her major plan two courses that are designated as Writing Attentive or a single course designated as Writing Intensive. The student may count a Writing Attentive or Intensive course that is taught outside the department if it is included in the major plan.

By the end of the senior year, majors will be required to have completed successfully a sight translation examination from Latin to English.

Minor Requirements

Requirements for the minor are normally six courses in Latin, including one at the 300-level. For non-majors, two literature courses at the 200-level must be taken as a prerequisite for admission to a 300-level course.

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CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

The Classical Languages track offers students the opportunity to gain a deeper proficiency in Greek and/or Latin and to explore Classical texts and the literary, historical, and philosophical contexts in which they emerged.

Major Requirements

• Six courses beyond the introductory level in Greek or Latin, of which at least four must be at the 200 level or above.
• Three elective courses. Such courses could include:
  • Any Classical Studies, Greek, or Latin course (including cross-listed and tagged courses offered by faculty in other departments)
  • With advisor approval, courses outside the department that engage with the ancient Mediterranean world or its afterlife; for example:
    • other historical languages
    • Archaeology, Art History, History, Religion, or Anthropology courses on Mediterranean, North African, and Near Eastern cultures
    • courses on the reception of ancient Mediterranean culture, such as Medieval Studies, Comparative Literature, Museum Studies, or courses focused on the classical tradition
• At least one of the above Greek, Latin, or Classical Studies courses must be at the 300 level or above

• Senior Seminar and Thesis (CSTS 398 and CSTS 399)

Minor Requirements

• Six courses in Greek or Latin, including at least two at the 200 level or above.
  • The department may reduce the number of required courses for those who are already beyond the elementary language when they begin the minor.

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CLASSICAL CULTURE AND SOCIETY 

The track in Classical Culture offers students the opportunity to explore life in Classical antiquity in all of its dimensions—from language, to literature, to history, philosophy, archaeology, and more—as well as its impact on later cultural traditions. It is designed to allow students to use a foundation in Greek or Latin as the springboard to chart their own paths through the College's rich offerings in archaeology and art history, history, politics, philosophy and religion, and classical literature and its reception.

Major Requirements

• Two semesters in either Latin or Greek at any level.
• Seven elective courses, including at least two at the 200 level or above, and one at the 300 level or above. Such courses could include:
  • Any Classical Studies, Greek, or Latin course (including cross-listed and tagged courses offered by faculty in other departments)
  • With advisor approval, courses outside the department that engage with the ancient Mediterranean world or its afterlife; for example:
    • other historical languages
    • Archaeology, Art History, History, Religion, or Anthropology courses on Mediterranean, North African, and Near Eastern cultures
    • courses on the reception of ancient Mediterranean culture, such as Medieval Studies, Comparative Literature, Museum Studies, or courses focused on the classical tradition
• Senior Seminar and Thesis (CSTS 398 and CSTS 399)

Minor Requirements

• Six courses drawn from the range of courses counted towards the Classical Culture Major, including:
  • At least two Classical Studies (CSTS) courses at the 200 level or above
  • At least two Greek (GREK) or Latin (LATN) courses at any level

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