Centaur

The Classics Department offers students two approaches to the study of the ancient world. First, students can emphasize the study of Greek or Latin language and literature. Second, students can explore Greece and Rome in non-language courses falling into the broad categories of ancient literature, ancient history, and art & archaeology. If students wish to pursue their studies of this ancient world more deeply, they can major or minor in any of three areas, Latin, Greek, and classical civilization, according to the schemes described below.

Courses in the Classics Department seek to help students to:

(in Latin and Greek courses)

• Study an ancient literature and culture through the study of its language
  
• Develop a better understanding of English by studying its Greek and Latin roots

(in all courses)

• Appreciate and enjoy aspects of Greek and Roman culture
  
  
• Gain a broad sense of Greek and Roman culture by studying literature, mythology, art, architecture, and social and political history
  
  
• Develop perspective on their own beliefs by discovering how Greeks and Romans struggled with questions about divinity, life and death, sexuality and gender, social and political justice, and the like
  
  
• Study the historical contexts out of which there developed such fundamental Western institutions as the Christian religion and representative democracy
  
  
• Learn skills of critical thinking such as reading and interpreting difficult texts, generating information about them through research, solving problems about them and answering questions they raise, and presenting their findings to others orally and in writing

A major concentration in Greek will normally consist of at least six Greek courses beyond the elementary (101,102) level plus Greek 400. Majors in Greek should also consider taking some of the following related courses: History 211, 310 (when applicable), Classics 101, 102, 103, 105, 211/311, 212/312, 213/313 (when applicable), Philosophy 140, 249 (when applicable), Political Science 330, Speech 320.

Requirements for the Greek minor:  Four courses beyond the Greek 101, 102 level.
A major concentration in Latin will normally consist of eight Latin courses beyond the elementary (101,102) level plus Latin 400. All majors in Latin should also consider choosing some of the following related courses: History 212, 310 (when applicable), Classics 104, 106, 211/311, 212/312, 213/313 (when applicable), Speech 320.

Requirements for the Latin minor:  Four courses beyond the Latin 101,102 level.
A major in Classical Civilization emphasizes the study of Greek and Roman civilizations and requires appreciably less work in language. Students choosing this major might focus on Art and Archaeology, Ancient History, Greek and Roman Literature, or Philosophy.

Requirements for the major:  1) eight courses, at least two of which require a prerequisite; 2) Classics 400; 3) Latin 101,102 or Greek 101,102 or the equivalent.
Requirements for the minor are: Five courses, at least one of which requires a prerequisite. Minors in Classics should consult with the department chair as soon as possible to discuss the coherence of their minor.

Comprehensive Examinations:  The Classics Department examines students in one of the three areas (Classical Civilization, Latin, or Greek) in which he chooses to major within the department. The examinations are made up by the department after consulting the range of courses the student presents for his major and test both general knowledge in the area he chooses and specific knowledge over the selection of the courses he presents.