Available Courses In Classics

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

Office of Undergraduate Admission

For students who declare their major in Fall 2002-Spring 2003, or later.

Degree Offered: B.A. in Classics (Greek and Latin)

The Classics major offers instruction in the Greek and Latin languages, in Greek and Roman literature (studied in the original and in translation), in the classical civilizations surveyed as a whole, and in particular themes, genres, and periods of classical culture and its influence through subsequent ages.

We recognize that students come to the study of ancient Greece and Rome with a whole spectrum of different kinds of interest. Some will want to concentrate on learning the ancient languages and reading the classical texts in the original Greek or Latin. Others will desire a broader introduction to the cultures of Greece and Rome and their legacy. Still others will be looking for some combination of these two approaches. With this in mind, the Classics major provides maximum flexibility without sacrifice of focus. We cater to students who wish to prepare for graduate school in Classics, and also to students who are interested in Greek and Roman culture for other reasons, and who wish to take a less specialized approach. Students will be able to explore ancient Greece and Rome from a variety of different angles, and with whatever emphasis best suits their individual needs and goals.

To satisfy the requirements for the Classics major, students must complete thirty semester hours of courses listed under "Greek, Latin, and Classics." Courses listed under "Greek" and "Latin" concentrate on the acquisition of language skills and on the reading and interpretation of texts in the original languages. Courses listed under "Classics" explore, in translation, the literature, history, philosophy, art, and other aspects of Greek and Roman civilization, and also the effect that Greece and Rome have had on literature and other traditions in the West. These courses in translation regularly include Freshman Seminars. Some courses offered by the departments of History and Philosophy also satisfy requirements for the Classical Studies major. For advice on which ones, consult any member of the Classical Studies faculty. Some courses offered by the departments of History and Philosophy also satisfy requirements for the Classical Studies major. For advice on which ones, consult any member of the Classical Studies faculty.

Classics majors will also, if they wish, have the opportunity to engage in research. In the final semester of study, a student majoring in Classics may enroll in Classics 493, in which the student writes a senior thesis on a topic of the student’s choice and in close consultation with a particular faculty member.

Further information on the Classics major is available from faculty members. Faculty also help students arrange travel to Greece or Italy, whether to work on a dig or to study at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome.

Requirements for the Major in Classics

Students majoring in Classics must complete at least 30 semester hours (10 courses) listed under "Greek," "Latin," or "Classics." The precise combination of Greek, Latin, and Classics courses is to be determined by the student in consultation with the undergraduate coordinator, in such a way as to ensure an individual course of study that is tailored to the student’s own interests and goals.

Courses taught in other departments, such as History, Philosophy, and Art History, may be cross-listed in Classics and count towards the Classics major.

Note: the requirements for the Classics major have changed. The new requirements (above) will be effective for students declaring a Classics major in 2002-2003 or later. (Others should consult the General Announcements for 2001-2002, or talk to the undergraduate coordinator.)

For students who declared their major prior to Fall 2002

Degrees Offered: B.A. in Classics (Greek and Latin), B.A. in Latin.

Undergraduate Program. The program in Classics offers instruction in the languages, literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. We offer two types of major: Classics, which entails the study of both ancient Greek and Latin, and Latin. Both majors stress the study of the literature of the classical civilizations in the original languages. The student who chooses one of these two majors will learn that the study of ancient Greek and Latin is a demanding but rewarding discipline. For our majors we advise, and will try to facilitate, travel to Greece or Italy and experience on a dig or study at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. Rice is now a supporting member of the Intercollegiate Center.

Each year we also offer courses about various aspects of the classical civilizations using English translations. These courses are organized below under the rubric "Classical Studies."

A major in Classics is essential preparation for graduate study in Classics, ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient religion (especially early Christianity), and ancient art history. Knowledge of Greek and Latin is useful for graduate study in English, the Romance languages, German, the Slavic languages, theology, European history, and linguistics.

A Secondary Teaching Certificate in conjunction with a B.A. in Latin or Classics is available through the Department of Education. The program in Classics is formally administered as part of the Department of Hispanic and Classical Studies. Students interested in majoring in Classics or finding out more about the program should see Professor Wallace.

Requirements for the Major. Students may choose a major in either Classics (Greek and Latin) or Latin.

For the major in Classics, the student must take 27 semester hours (9 courses):

• 21 semester hours (7 courses) in Greek and Latin at the 200 level or above including at least 6 semester hours (2 courses) in each language.
• 3 semester hours (1 course) at the 300 level in Classical Studies or one of the following fields from outside the Classics program: Greek and Roman history, philosophy, art or religion.
• Latin 493 in the spring semester of the senior year, in order to prepare for and then take the comprehensive examination in the 9th week of the semester. Latin 493 is to be taken in addition to the 21 semester hours required above.

For the major in Latin, the student must take 24 semester hours (8 courses):

• 18 semester hours (6 courses) in Latin at the 200 level or above.
• 3 semester hours (1 course) at the 300 level in Classical Studies or one of the following fields from outside the Classics program: Greek and Roman history, philosophy, art or religion.
• Latin 493 in the spring semester of the senior year, in order to prepare for and then take the comprehensive examination in the 9th week of the semester. Latin 493 is to be taken in addition to the 18 semester hours required above.