College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Classical Studies

Programs Requirements Courses Advising
association Scholarships awards Classics House

Below are requirements for the major concentrations and minor concentrations in the Department of Classical Studies. Please refer to the Course Bulletin for a list of the approved related courses.


Concentration in Classical Civilization (1545)
A concentration in classical civilization requires a minimum of ten courses.

The requirements are as follows:
  • CAS CL 101 or CL 321 and CAS CL 102 or CL 322
  • five courses in classical civilization and/or classical languages
  • two courses focusing on classical literature (either in translation or in
    the original language)
  • one additional Classical Studies course, at the 400 level or higher, in either a classical language or a topic in classical civilization or history

With permission of the Chairman or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, up to two related courses from other departments may be counted toward this concentration. Refer to the list of related courses recommended by the department.

Concentration in Ancient Greek (1120)
A concentration in ancient Greek requires a minimum of ten courses. The
requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 101 or CL 321
  • eight courses from the offerings under ancient Greek above
    CAS CL 167
  • one additional Classical Studies course, at the 400 level or higher, in either a classical language or a topic in classical civilization or history

Up to two courses in Byzantine or modern Greek above CAS CG 112 may
be used to fulfill the requirements. With the permission of the Chairman or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, one course from the offerings under classical civilization or UNI HU 539 or UNI HU 540 may be counted toward this concentration.

Concentration in Latin (1119)
A concentration in Latin requires a minimum of ten courses. The
requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 102 or CL 322
  • eight courses from the offerings under Latin above CAS CL 117
  • one additional Classical Studies course, at the 400 level or higher, in either a classical language or a topic in classical civilization or history

With the permission of the Chairman or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, one course from the offerings under classical civilization may be counted toward this concentration.

Concentration in Ancient Greek and Latin (1121)
A concentration in ancient Greek and Latin requires a minimum of ten
courses. The requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 101 or CL 321 and CAS CL 102 or CL 322
  • four courses in one of the two classical languages above the 100 level
  • three courses in the other classical language above the 100 level
  • one additional Classical Studies course, at the 400 level or higher, in either a classical language or a topic in classical civilization or history

With the permission of the chairman or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, one course from the offerings under classical civilization may be counted toward this concentration.

Concentration in Classics and Religion (1546)
A concentration in classics and religion requires a minimum of twelve
courses; six in classics and six in religion.

Classics requirements:

  • CAS CL 101, CL 102, CL 321, or CL 322
  • CAS CL 317
  • four courses at or above the 200 level chosen, in consultation with
    an advisor, from the offerings under classical civilization and/or
    classical languages

Religion requirements:

  • five courses at or above the 200 level chosen, in consultation with an
    advisor, from courses listed under the Department of Religion
  • CAS RN 495 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Religion

A joint concentration in classics and religion is especially recommended for
students with a particular interest in myth studies. While this concentration does not require work in Greek or Latin, second- and third-year classical language courses are counted toward this concentration. Students are encouraged to consider the study of a classical language and reminded that both Greek and Latin fulfill the CAS language requirement. Students interested in a concentration in classics and religion must consult an advisor in both the Department of Classical Studies and the Department of Religion.

Concentration in Classics and Philosophy (1547)
A concentration in classics and philosophy requires a minimum of twelve
courses: six in classics and six in philosophy.

Classics requirements:

  • CL 101 or CL 321
  • CL 261 (Note that CL 161 and CL 162, or their equivalent, are prerequisites for enrollment in CL 261, which is the third semester of ancient Greek)
  • four other courses at or above the 200 level in classical civilization or classical languages

Philosophy requirements:

  • one of the following: CAS PH 100, 110, 140, 150, 155, or 160
  • PH 300
  • PH 310
  • two courses in philosophy at the 200 level or above
  • one of the following: PH 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, or 480

Students interested in a concentration in classics and philosophy must consult an advisor in both the Department of Classical Studies and the Department of Philosophy.

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BA/MA in Classical Studies (1504)
The Department of Classical Studies offers a combined BA/MA program
leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Master of Arts (MA) degrees. Advanced-level study in one or both classical languages is required. To fulfill the BA requirements, students must choose one of the following eligible undergraduate major concentrations:

  • Ancient Greek (1120)
  • Latin (1119)
  • Ancient Greek and Latin (1121)

On the MA level, students concentrate in classical studies (1504), which has a minimum requirement of eight courses (32 credits):

  • CAS CL 530 or CAS CL 563
  • seven additional courses at or above the 500 level offered within the Department of Classical Studies or related departments.

Students typically concentrate in either Latin or Greek. One course in Greek or Roman art or classical archaeology and one course in ancient history are recommended. Students who wish to take more than two related courses must receive department approval.

Master's students are also required to demonstrate, by written examination, proficiency in the following:

  • the translation of passages from either Greek or Latin
  • the history of either Greek or Latin literature
  • German or French (with consent of the department, another
    language may be substituted)

Requirements for both the BA and MA can be completed with a minimum of
36 courses and a maximum of 40 courses. Graduate classes can be utilized to meet the CAS graduation requirement of a minimum of 32 courses. Advanced placement and/or prior fulfillment of college requirements on the undergraduate level may result in the completion of the BA/MA requirements in fewer than 40 courses. The usual completion time is five years. Approved course overloads, summer study, advanced placement, and/or exemption from college requirements may allow students to complete the program in less than five years. Please refer to the BA/MA Guidelines on the College of Arts and Sciences Web site. Students interested in enrolling in the BA/MA program should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Classical Studies.

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Minor in Classical Civilization (1545)
A minor in classical civilization requires a minimum of six courses, four at or above the 200 level. The requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 101, CL 102, CL 321, or CL 322
  • four courses from the offerings under classical civilization and/or classical languages
  • one course focusing on classical literature

Minor in Myth Studies (1596)
A minor in myth studies requires a minimum of six courses. The requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 213 and CL 305
  • four courses from the offerings under classical civilization or related departments with an emphasis on myth.

Refer to the department's list of recommended related courses following the classical studies course listing.

Minor in Ancient Greek (1120)
A minor concentration in ancient Greek requires a minimum of five courses. The requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 101 or CL 321
  • four courses from the offerings under ancient Greek above CAS CL 167

Minor in Latin (1119)
A minor concentration in Latin requires a minimum of five courses. The requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 102 or CL 322
  • four courses from the offerings under Latin above CAS CL 117

Minor in Modern Greek (1190)
A minor concentration in modern Greek requires a minimum of five courses. The requirements are as follows:

  • CAS CL 101, CL 102, CL 321, or CL 322
  • four of the following courses: CAS CG 211, CG 212, CG 350, CG 356, CG 495, CG 496

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