Classics

College of Letters and Science
Department Office: 7233 Dwinelle Hall, (510) 642-4218

Chair: G.R.F. (John) Ferrari, PhD
Department Website: Classics

Related Course Descriptions:
Greek courses
Latin courses

Overview

The Department of Classics offers a complete undergraduate and graduate program in Greek and Latin languages, literatures, and civilizations. It groups its courses of instruction under the headings of Greek, Latin, and Classics. The object of the Greek and Latin courses is to teach undergraduates to read major works of ancient literature in the original languages and to give a general understanding of the achievements of classical civilization. The purpose of the Classics undergraduate courses is to provide instruction in Greek and Roman civilization in all its aspects—literature (read in translation), philosophy, mythology, religion, social and political life and archaeology. The latter courses require no knowledge of Greek and Latin. The graduate courses, all of which are designated Classics, are advanced courses in Greek, Latin, and classical archaeology, and require knowledge of both languages.

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Majors

The Department of Classics offers four undergraduate majors: Greek, Latin, classical languages, and classical civilizations. Students considering any of these majors should consult with the departmental undergraduate adviser as early as possible.

Major in Classical Civilizations

Lists of courses approved to meet the requirements described below are available from the departmental office and on the website.

1. Prerequisites: Classics 10A and 10B (L&S R44 may be substituted for one but not both).

2. Lower Division Requirements: Any two lower division courses in the Classics department (not including Classics 24), or courses from a selected list of courses in other departments. Go to the Classics Department website for a list of acceptable courses.

3. Area of Concentration: Five courses (at least three must be in the Classics department) in one of the following areas of concentration: Classical Art and Archaeology (five upper division courses from a list of selected courses), Classical History and Culture (five upper division courses from a list of selected courses), Greek Language (five Greek courses including up to two lower division), Latin Language (five Latin courses including up to two lower division). Go to the Classics website for a list of acceptable courses.

4. Area of Breadth: Two courses from any combination of upper and lower division offerings in a non-Greco-Roman pre-industrial culture (please consult with the Classics faculty undergraduate adviser in selecting these courses)

5. Two additional upper division courses from a list of selected courses without duplication from the other requirements; all students in this major must take Classics 130.

Major in Classical Languages

Elementary Greek (either Greek 1-2 or Greek 10 or the Greek Workshop, offered during Summer Sessions); Elementary Latin (either Latin 1-2 or Latin 10 or the Latin Workshop, offered during Summer Sessions); either Greek 40 or Latin 40 (may be taken concurrently with upper division courses); Greek 100, 101, and 102; Latin 100, 101, and 102; two courses chosen from Greek 115-123, Latin 115-140; Classics 10A and 10B. Majors are encouraged to take additional courses from the list of recommended courses available in the departmental office and on the Classics Department website .

Major in Greek

Elementary Greek (either Greek 1-2 or Greek 10 or the Greek Workshop, offered during Summer Sessions); Greek 40 (may be taken concurrently with upper division courses); Greek 100, 101, and 102; four courses chosen from Greek 115-123; Classics 10A and 10B (under exceptional circumstances, the undergraduate adviser may authorize substitution of Classics 100A for 10A, or 100B for 10B); one course from the list of recommended courses available in the departmental office and on the Classics Department website .

Major in Latin

Elementary Latin (either Latin 1-2 or Latin 10 or the Latin Workshop, offered during Summer Sessions); Latin 40 (may be taken concurrently with upper division courses); Latin 100, 101, and 102; four courses chosen from Latin 115-140; Classics 10A and 10B (under exceptional circumstances, the undergraduate adviser may authorize substitution of Classics 100A for 10A, or 100B for 10B); one course from the list of recommended courses available in the departmental office and on the Classics Department website.

Substitutions

Under exceptional circumstances the undergraduate adviser is empowered to authorize substitution of a more advanced reading course for any required reading course numbered 100 to 102, if such substitution is deemed necessary and advisable.

Honors Program

Restricted to majors with an overall University GPA of at least 3.3 and a GPA of at least 3.3 in the major. Consists of (a) one of the major programs, with the added requirement for students in the Greek, Latin, and classical languages majors that at least one of the Senior Reading courses (Greek 115-123, Latin 115-140) must be in prose and at least one must be in poetry; (b) one semester of Greek H195 (for Greek or classical languages majors), Latin H195 (for Latin or classical languages majors), or Classics H195 (for classical civilizations majors); H195 consists of largely independent study, including the writing of a thesis; the project undertaken in this one-semester honors course (4 units) must be related to work completed in a previous upper division course in the Classics department. The thesis will be evaluated by an Honors Committee of three members; the written thesis is due on Monday of the 13th week of the semester and the committee will agree upon the level of Honors (Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors) and the grade to be awarded no later than the Monday of examination week.

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Minors

Minor in Classical Civilization

Five upper division courses in the Classics department. Courses or seminars taught by Classics professors in other departments may also be accepted, in consultation with the undergraduate faculty adviser.

Minor in Greek Studies

Five upper division courses in Greek language and related courses. At least three courses must be in the Greek language; up to two courses may be in courses with substantial content relevant to Greek literature, philosophy, culture, or history.

Minor in Latin Studies

Five upper division courses in Latin language and related courses. At least three courses must be in the Latin language; up to two courses may be in courses with substantial content relevant to Roman literature, philosophy, culture, or history.

Preparation for Graduate Study

To enter graduate study in Classics, students should complete the major in Classical Languages (or a satisfactory equivalent). Students are urged to supplement the requirements for the major with two or three senior reading courses (Greek 115-123, Latin 115-123 ). They are strongly advised also to have an adequate reading knowledge of German and/or French or Italian before admission if possible, since they must pass examinations in two of these languages for the PhD degree and in one of them for the MA degree. Prospective graduate students are also encouraged to take Advanced Prose Composition in Greek and Latin (Classics 250, 260) since the graduate program requires demonstration of competence in prose composition. Note: The major in Classical Civilizations is not considered to be adequate preparation for graduate study.

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The Graduate Program

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree may be taken in Classics (under Plan B: a program of 24 units in graduate and advanced undergraduate courses, and a series of examinations) or Classical Archaeology (under Plan A: a program of 20 units of graduate and advanced undergraduate courses, and a thesis).

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy degree may be taken in Classics or Classical Archaeology. Whatever the graduate students' principal interest—literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, or other subjects—they should take a broad program and acquaint themselves with every field of classical study. Students are advised to read widely in Greek and Latin authors of all kinds since both MA and PhD regulations require an extensive knowledge of literature, history, and philosophy. They are also encouraged to take courses in epigraphy, comparative grammar, and Greek dialects when they are offered, since the interval between offerings of each can be three years. The graduate course offerings are varied from year to year so that in a normal period of graduate study students may take courses in several fields and periods. Service for two semesters as a graduate student instructor is normally required as part of the PhD program in classics. Most seminars may be taken for either 4 units (for a letter grade) or 2 units (on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis), subject to some restrictions. For details of the MA and PhD programs, consult the graduate adviser.