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Classical Studies

Faculty

  • Visiting Professor Amoroso-O’Connor (Coordinator)

  • Classical Studies offers students an introduction to the worlds of Ancient Greece and Rome. Courses in Latin and Greek not only develop a student’s reading knowledge in these languages but examine the cultural contexts of the literature, art, and archaeology we study. By encountering the ancients on their own terms, we can better understand their worlds and their influence on ours. Classical Studies is the traditional basis of a liberal arts education and a minor in Classical Studies enhances a student’s ability and skills in interpretation and writing. A student may choose to minor in Classical Studies or Latin.

    Requirements for the Latin Minor

    A minor in Latin consists of five courses for a total of 20 credits.

    • LAT-101 and 102 do not count towards the minor.
    • Four of the Latin courses must be above the 100-level; one must be at the 300-level or above.
    • The fifth course may be selected from Latin, Greek or Classical Studies.

    Requirements for the Classical Studies Minor

    A minor in Classical Studies consists of five courses for a total of 20 credits.

    • Minimum of two semesters of Latin or two semesters of Greek. These courses may be at the 100-level or above.
    • CLAS-100 Introduction to the Classical World;
    • Two additional courses; one must be at the 300-level or above. These courses may be classical language courses, Special Topics in Classical Studies, or Independent Research. 

    See list of classical studies-related courses below. One of these courses may be applied to the minor in Latin or Classical Studies. 

    • ANTH-205 
    • ART-150 
    • HIST-101
    • MUS-205
    • PHIL/POL-237, 337
    • RELS-242, 245
    • Other Special Topics courses may be applied to the minor with permission of the Classical Studies program coordinator.

    Students minoring in both Latin and Classical Studies may apply only one course to count towards both minors.

    Students studying Classics abroad may apply at most two of those courses towards the Classical Studies or Latin minors with permission of the Classical Studies program coordinator. Upon request, the Classical Studies program coordinator may approve other courses, such as Special Topics in other departments that have a classical studies focus, to count towards the minor.

Courses

  • CLAS-100. Introduction to the Classical World

    This course will provide students with an introduction to the Greeks and Romans, covering major historical events as well as social, literary, and artistic trends. This is the foundation course for a minor in Classical Studies. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    CLAS-250. Special Topics in Classics

    Special topics will vary but all will focus on ancient history, society, or literature. All primary sources will be read in translation. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    CLAS-290. Independent Study in Classics

    Individual study of topics in ancient literature or civilization. Students will meet weekly with the instructor to review assigned readings and writing assignments. Prerequisite: CLAS-100 or permission of the instructor. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    CLAS-350. Advanced Special Topics in Classics

    Courses on wider topics in ancient history, society, or literature. All primary sources will be read in translation. Prerequisite: CLAS-100. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    CLAS-390. Advanced Independent Study in Classics

    Individual study of topics in ancient literature or civilization at an advanced level. Students will meet weekly with the instructor to review assigned readings and writing assignments. Prerequisites: CLAS-100 and 290. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    CLAS/LAT-452W. Advanced Seminar in Classics or Latin

    Seminars of changing content, for study of authors and genres, combined with study and practice in writing. Prerequisites: CLAS-100 and three additional Classical Studies courses, of which two must be at the 300-level or above. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    CLAS/LAT-491W. Pre-Honors Research in Classical Studies or Latin

    This course is open to candidates for honors and to other students with the permission of the Classical Studies program coordinator. Students will meet weekly with the instructor to review assigned readings, research and writing assignments. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    CLAS/LAT-492W. Honors in Classics or Latin

    A continuation of CLAS/LAT-491W. Students will meet weekly with the instructor to review assigned readings, research and writing assignments. Prerequisite: CLAS/LAT-491W. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    Greek

    GRK-150. Introduction to Greek for Classical Studies

    Students will develop skills in reading Homeric or Biblical Greek, building on their previous knowledge of Latin. Prerequisite: LAT-102 or permission of instructor. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    GRK-151. Special Topics in Greek

    Students will develop their reading skills while focusing on a single author or topic. Prerequisite: GRK-150 or permission of instructor. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    Latin

    LAT-101. Elementary Latin

    Students will be introduced to the basics of Latin and will develop skills in the foundational syntax and vocabulary of Latin. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (L.)

    LAT-102. Elementary Latin II

    Students will broaden their knowledge of vocabulary, syntax and grammar and read excerpts from a variety of Latin authors. Four hours per week.Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    LAT-201. Intermediate Latin I

    Students will further develop their skills in Latin grammar while reading increasingly complex material. Prerequisite: LAT-101102; or permission of the instructor. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    LAT-202. Intermediate Latin II

    A continuation of LAT-201. Prerequisite: LAT-201 or permission of the instructor. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (H, L.) The sequences LAT-101-102 or 201-202 are recommended for fulfilling the foreign language requirement.

    The sequences LAT-101–102 or 201–202 can fulfill the College foreign language requirement.

    LAT-250. Special Topics in Latin Language and Grammar

    This course focuses on building skills in Latin grammar and structure. Students will read material from Latin texts simplified and adapted to emphasize grammar. Prerequisite: LAT-201202; or permission of the instructor. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    LAT-350. Advanced Special Topics in Latin Reading and Translation

    Content variable; may concentrate on author, period, or genre. Possible topics: Latin Poetry, Historical Writers, Roman Revolution, Vergil’s Aeneid. Students will read primary sources in Latin. Prerequisite: LAT-250 or permission of the instructor. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    LAT-450. Independent Work -Topics in Latin

    Independent readings or research in Latin. Weekly meetings with Instructor supervising the independent work. Prerequisite: LAT-350 or permission of the instructor. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (XLP.)