Undergraduate Program

Sculpture and Brown imagesClassics focuses on the languages, literature, history, and culture of Greco-Roman antiquity. It provides specialized training for students intending to enter graduate school, and a broad liberal education for those with more general interests. Students may choose to study beginning to advanced levels in Ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, or Modern Greek and gain knowledge in literature, mythology, ancient history, philosophy, and religion.  Additionally, each semester our department offers a number of courses that require no knowledge of the ancient languages.  Concentrators are strongly encouraged to integrate their studies in various fields of Classics by writing a senior thesis, participating in seminars, or undertaking a senior capstone project.

 

Concentration in Classics

Programs of concentration may be arranged with emphasis on the ancient languages and literature or on ancient history and culture. Students may either pursue the standard Classics concentration - the most popular choice - or they may pursue one of the several optional tracks: Greek, Latin, Greek and Latin, South Asian Classics, Sanskrit, Greek and Sanskrit, or Latin and Sanskrit.  Beginning with declarations submitted after September 1, 2018, all tracks except "Greek and Latin," "Greek and Sanskrit," and "Latin and Sanskrit" require the satisfactory completion of nine courses as described below. The introductory courses in Greek and Latin may not usually be counted toward a concentration, but those in Sanskrit may be counted toward the concentration requirement in some of the tracks. Students should always consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies regarding their path toward fulfilling requirements and choosing electives.

 

Concentration Tracks
Classics
  • One course in Greek or Latin on the 1000-level or above.
  • CLAS 1210 & 1220 or CLAS 1310 & 1320 (Greek History or Roman History).
  • One course with a "Classics and beyond" designation, OR a DIAP course offered by the Department of Classics or in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of Art and Architecture, Religious Studies) and approved by the concentration advisor.
  • Five other courses, at least three of which must be offered by the Classics department. Any elective in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of Art and Architecture, Religious Studies) must be approved by the concentration advisor.
Greek
  • Four Greek courses on the 1000-level or above, at least one of which is to be GREK 1810 or 1820.
  • CLAS 1210 & 1220 (Greek History).
  • One course with a "Classics and beyond" designation, OR a DIAP course offered  by the Department of Classics or in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of Art and Architecture, Religious Studies) and approved by the concentration advisor.
  • Two additional courses, at least one of which must be offered by the Classics department. Any elective in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of art and Architecture, Religious Studies) must be approved by the concentration advisor.
Latin
  • Four Latin courses on the 1000-level or above, at least one of which is to be LATN 1810 or 1820.
  • CLAS 1310 & 1320 (Roman History).
  • One course with a "Classics and beyond" designation, OR a DIAP course offered  by the Department of Classics or in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of Art and Architecture, Religious Studies) and approved by the concentration advisor.
  • Two additional courses, at least one of which must be offered by the Classics department. Any elective in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of art and Architecture, Religious Studies) must be approved by the concentration advisor.
Greek and Latin *
  • Four Latin courses on the 1000-level or above, at least one of which is to be LATN 1810 or 1820.
  • Four Greek courses on the 1000-level or above, at least one of which is to be GREK 1810 or 1820.
  • CLAS 1210 & 1220 and CLAS 1310 & 1320 (Greek History and Roman History).
South Asian Classics
  • At least one Sanskrit course above SANS 0300.
  • Three Sanskrit classics courses in translation.
  • One course with a "Classics and beyond" designation, OR a DIAP course offered  by the Department of Classics or in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of Art and Architecture, Religious Studies) and approved by the concentration advisor.
  • Four other courses in classics or related areas  (such as Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, South Asian Studies, Early Cultures, etc.) to be approved by the concentration advisor.
Sanskrit
  • Two Sanskrit courses at the 1000-level or above.
  • Two Sanskrit classics courses in translation.
  • One course with a "Classics and beyond" designation, OR a DIAP course offered  by the Department of Classics or in a related area (e.g. Archaeology, History of Art and Architecture, Religious Studies) and approved by the concentration advisor.
  • Four other courses in classics or related areas  (such as Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, South Asian Studies, Early Cultures, etc.) to be approved by the concentration advisor.
Greek and Sanskrit *
  • Four Sanskrit courses at any level.
  • Four Greek courses on the 1000-level or above, at least one of which is to be GREK 1810 or 1820.
  • CLAS 1210 & 1220 (Greek History).
  • Two additional courses in classics or related areas  (such as Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, South Asian Studies, Early Cultures, etc.) to be approved by the concentration advisor.
Latin and Sanskrit *
  • Four Sanskrit courses at any level.
  • Four Latin courses on the 1000-level or above, at least one of which is to be LATN 1810 or 1820.
  • CLAS 1310 & 1320 (Roman History).
  • Two additional courses in classics or related areas  (such as Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, South Asian Studies, Early Cultures, etc.) to be approved by the concentration advisor.

*Track requires the completion of twelve courses.

 

You can find additional information about concentration requirements on the Brown University Bulletin.  Programs are flexible and students are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Concentration Adviser.

Note: Once a student has earned credit for a 1000-level language class, he or she may not apply any subsequent class taken at a lower level (e.g. 0300 or 0400) in the same language toward concentration requirements.

Incoming students with International Baccalaureate exam scores in Classics or Classics-related subjects should consult with the Concentration Adviser in Classics about course placement and credit.  For a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam in Latin the Department of Classics awards one (1) unassigned credit in Latin for completion of one 1,000-level course in Latin with at least the grade of 'B'.

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
  • Participating in a seminar for juniors and seniors, which is designed to provide insight into the relationships among various parts of ancient studies
  • Or undertaking another kind of senior project that achieves the same goals and is acceptable to the department.

 

Honors

Students may earn honors in the concentration by presenting a satisfactory thesis, for the preparation of which they will ordinarily enroll in the relevant 1990 courses; these courses may not be used to satisfy the standard requirements for a concentration. In order to qualify, the candidate for honors in the Department of Classics ordinarily will be entering his/her seventh semester of study and must have an “A” average (3.50 or higher on a 4.00 scale) in the concentration.  

Senior Thesis Guidelines 

 

Language Placement & Proficiency

The Classics Department does not offer language placement exams for undergraduate students looking to take language courses.  We encourage interested undergraduate students to discuss their proficiency with a Classics faculty member.  If you have more questions regarding language placement and proficiency, please contact the Interim Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Pura Nieto.  You can also visit her during her office hours.

 

Related Studies

Students are encouraged to take related courses offered in the following programs: