Classics Major

Major Requirements

Students earn a major in classics by choosing among three tracks: Classical Civilization, Classical Archaeology or Classical Languages. Students should work carefully with their selected advisor to choose a track and a list of courses that match their interests and goals, but suggestions and guidelines can be found on the department website.

Classical Civilization

A major in classics with an emphasis in classical civilization consists of at least nine courses and a study away experience. Courses must include:

a) two courses which provide a comprehensive introduction to the ancient Mediterranean world

b) study in a classical language to include at least one course at the intermediate level (Greek, Latin, Hebrew or Arabic);

c) CLAS 301 - Research Forum

d) CLAS 490 - Senior Seminar

e) and electives chosen from the offerings of the department. Select courses from other departments may be substituted when approved in advance by the classics department.

Classical Archaeology

A major in classics with an emphasis in classical archaeology consists of at least eleven courses, a study away experience and a field experience. Courses are to include:

a) two courses which provide a comprehensive introduction to the ancient Mediterranean world
CLAS 121 - The Greek World ,
CLAS 122 - The Roman World
CLAS 127 - Women, Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome
CLAS 129 - Greek Myths
or CLAS 145 - Pagans, Christians and Jews in Classical Antiquity: Cultures in Conflict
b) study in a classical language to include at least one course at the intermediate level (Greek, Latin, Hebrew or Arabic)
c) CLAS 123 - Introduction to Archaeology
d) CLAS 160 - Intro to Ancient/Medieval Art
e) CLAS 301 - Research Forum
f) CLAS 490 - Senior Seminar
and g) electives from the following, or a course otherwise approved in advance by the department:
CLAS 155 - January in Rome: The Art, Archaeology, and Topography of Ancient Rome
GEOG 225 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GEOL 165 - History/Evolution of Earth
GEOL 260 - Geomorphology
GEOL 265 - Sedimentology/Stratigraphy
GEOL 300 - Paleobiology
ANTH 112 - Archaeology and Human Origins
ANTH 340 - Human Evolution
ART 238 - Ceramic Art I: Wheel Throwing
language courses from the department offerings beyond those used to meet requirement b).

Archaeology majors must also gain some form of field experience, such as participating in an excavation, interning in a museum, or pursuing study away that involves archaeological learning in an archival, laboratory or field context.

Classical Languages

A major in classics with an emphasis in classical languages consists of at least ten courses and a study away experience. Courses must include:

a) two courses which provide a comprehensive introduction to the ancient Mediterranean world:
CLAS 121 - The Greek World
CLAS 122 - The Roman World
CLAS 127 - Women, Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome ,
or CLAS 145 - Pagans, Christians and Jews in Classical Antiquity: Cultures in Conflict
b) seven courses involving classical languages and literatures in the original language (Greek, Latin, Hebrew or Arabic; courses must be taken in at least two different languages and involve at least one class at the advanced level);
and c ) CLAS 490 - Senior Seminar .

Students must also take a course which includes a major research project prior to the Senior Seminar. If none of the intermediate or advanced languages courses provided this, a student must take CLAS 301 - Research Forum as an eleventh course.

Study Away

Majors in all three tracks are required to study away. Students are encouraged to study in the Mediterranean region during this experience, but may participate in any approved program. In addition to semester abroad programs, all of the department’s international offerings, including January in Rome, January in Turkey and summer archaeological excavations, fulfill the study away requirement, as do other January and summer programs approved in advance by the department.