CLASSICS PROGRAM

Prerequisites. To enter this program of study a student normally should have completed either Greek 108 or Latin 108. A strongly motivated student who has completed Greek 102 or Latin 102 may concentrate in this program of study with permission of the Departmental Representative.

Course Requirements. Eight Departmental courses are required. Of these, five must be in the original languages at the 200 level or above, including at least one course at the 300 level. The combination of Greek/Latin 104-108 or Greek/Latin 105-108 may be counted as the equivalent of one 200-level course. One course in ancient history (Classics 214, 216, 217, 218, or 219, or History 343) must also be included among the eight departmentals.

Students may count, among the eight required courses, up to three not requiring the use of Greek or Latin, either those offered by the Department or, with the approval of the Departmental Representative, courses in other departments that deal with aspects of Greek and Roman civilization (see examples below).

Students who are considering further work in the field, either in graduate school or in independent study, should take both Latin and Greek to the 300 level, continuing with both languages in each term of the junior and senior years. Such students are also strongly advised to take at least one course in Greek history and one in Roman history in their underclass years.

Independent Work. Junior Independent Work. In the fall term of the junior year Departmental students will participate in a mandatory but not-for-credit seminar introducing them to research methods and library resources, to the creation and transmission of classical texts, and to computer-aided research tools. This seminar will lead to the production of a final written exercise of 10-15 pages. In the spring term each student will study a topic or author chosen in consultation with an adviser, who will meet regularly with the student for discussion and analysis, on the basis of which a substantial research paper will be produced.

Senior Independent Work. At the end of the second term of the junior year a Departmental student is advised to select the subject of his or her senior thesis after consultation with the Departmental Representative. The thesis in its final form shall be submitted to his or her supervisor by April 15 of the senior year.

Examinations. Students are expected to pass the following examinations:

1. Sight translation from Greek or Latin. This examination may be taken, by arrangement, at the end of any term in junior or senior years; it will be graded pass/fail.
2. The senior comprehensive examination. This exam, given in May, covers both Greek and Roman literature, history, and culture.

Areas of Study. Students concentrating in Classics have the opportunity to study in depth one or more of the areas listed below.

Greek or Latin Literature. Literary texts form the core of the study of the classical world, and the majority of concentrators are likely to plan their program of study around literature. In addition to the many courses offered in Greek and Latin, the Department offers a number of courses on literature in translation, e.g. Classics 124 The Ancient Comic Tradition and Classics 323 Self and Society in Classical Greek Drama. Humanistic Studies 205 The Classical Roots of Western Literature also treats many Greco-Roman works.

Ancient History. In addition to survey courses in Greek and Roman history (Classics 216, 217, 218, 219), the Department offers courses on the ancient historians, given in Greek or Latin, and advanced seminars on selected historical topics (Classics 326, 327). Also available: Classics 324 Classical Historians and their Philosophies of History; Classics 325 Roman Law; Near Eastern Studies 220 Jews, Muslims, and Christians in the Middle Ages; and Near Eastern Studies 331 The Ancient Near East.

Classical Philosophy. Courses on Greek and Roman philosophers are offered in the original languages. Also available: Classics 205 Introduction to Ancient Philosophy; Philosophy 300 Plato and his Predecessors; and Philosophy 301 Aristotle and His Successors.

Classical Art and Archaeology. Art and Archaeology 202 Greek Art: Ideal Realism; Art and Archaeology 203 Roman Art; and Art and Archaeology 306 Classical Athens: Art and Institutions.

Medieval Studies. In addition to a course in medieval Latin (Latin 232), the following courses are offered: History 343 The Civilization of the Early Middle Ages; History 344 The Civilization of the High Middle Ages; Medieval Studies 227 The World of the Middle Ages; Politics 301 Ancient and Medieval Political Theory; and Art and Archaeology 205 Medieval Art in Europe.

Ancient Religion and Mythology. Classics 212 Classical Mythology; Latin 338 Latin Prose Fiction; Religion 251 The New Testament and Christian Origins; Religion 337 Religious Quests of the Greco-Roman World: The Magical Arts and Astrology; and Religion 340 Judaism in the Greco-Roman World.

Comparative Literature. Classics 334 Modern Transformations of Classical Themes; Classics 335 Studies in the Classical Tradition; Classics 372 English Literature and the Classics; Comparative Literature 326 Tragedy.