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The Undergraduate Program

The department provides both specialized training for those who wish to enter graduate school in preparation for a career in scholarship, and a broad liberal education for those with more general interests. Courses are offered from beginning to advanced levels in Ancient Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit language and literature, and also in Modern Greek. Each semester the department offers a number of courses that require no knowledge of the ancient languages, in such areas as classical literature, mythology, ancient history, philosophy, and religion.

Concentration in Classics

Programs of concentration may be arranged with emphasis on the ancient languages and literature or on ancient history and culture. There are five standard concentration programs: Classics, Greek, Latin, Greek and Latin, Classics and Sanskrit. All tracks except "Greek and Latin" and "Classics and Sanskrit" require the satisfactory completion of eight courses as described below. Programs are flexible and students are encouraged to discuss their plans with the concentration advisor. The introductory courses in Greek and Latin may not usually be counted toward a concentration.

Concentrators are strongly encouraged to integrate their studies in various fields of Classics by writing a senior thesis (which can, but need not, be an honors thesis; is more demanding than an ordinary term paper; and preferably transcends the subject matter of one particular subdiscipline of classics); by participating in a seminar for juniors and seniors (which is designed to provide insight into the relationships among various parts of ancient studies); or by undertaking another kind of senior project that achieves the same goals and is acceptable to the department.

Classics

  1. One course in Greek or Latin on the 100-level or above.
  2. CL 121, 122 or 131, 132 (Greek or Roman history).
  3. Five other courses in classics, including classical archaeology, Greek, Latin, or related areas to be approved by the concentration advisor.

Greek

  1. Four Greek courses on the 100-level or above, at least one of which is to be GK 181 or 182.
  2. CL 121, 122 (Greek history).
  3. Two additional courses in classics, including classical archaeology, Greek, Latin, or related areas to be approved by the concentration advisor.

Latin

  1. Four Latin courses on the 100-level or above, at least one of which is to be LA 181 or 182.
  2. CL 131, 132 (Roman history).
  3. Two additional courses in classics, including classical archaeology, Greek, Latin, or related areas to be approved by the concentration advisor.

Greek and Latin

  1. Four Latin courses on the 100-level or above, at least one of which is to be LA 181 or 182.
  2. Four Greek courses on the 100-level or above, at least one of which is to be GR 181 or 182.
  3. CL 121, 122 and CL 131, 132 (Greek and Roman history).

Classics and Sanskrit

  1. Four 100-level courses in Sanskrit.
  2. The requirements for Classics, Greek, or Latin with the provision that courses in Sanskrit beyond the first four may count towards the "five other courses" required of concentrators in Classics, or the "two additional courses" required of concentrators in Greek and of concentrators in Latin. (Students interested in Sanskrit may compare the concentration in South Asian Studies—Ancient India.)

Honors

Students may earn honors in each concentration by presenting a satisfactory thesis, for the preparation of which they will ordinarily enroll in the relevant 191 and 199 courses; these courses may not be used to satisfy the standard requirements for a concentration. In order to qualify for honors, students must maintain a B average overall.