Classical Civilization, Bachelor of Arts College of Letters & Science

Classical Civilization is an interdisciplinary major that examines the ancient Mediterranean cultures of Greece, Rome and the Near East, with courses offered on the languages, history, literature, religions, myths, art and archaeology of these societies, their achievements in rhetoric and philosophy, and their political and social institutions. Minor programs in Classical Civilization, Greek, and Latin, and many General Education courses are also offered.

The Program

The major has two tracks: (1) Classical & Mediterranean Civilizations, and (2) Classical Languages & Literatures. The core of both major tracks consists of two years of Latin or Greek, the introductory sequence on the ancient Mediterranean world (CLA 001, CLA 002, CLA 003 or CLA 004), the advanced seminar (CLA 190), and a number of electives. The Classical & Mediterranean Civilization track allows students to choose their electives from a broadly balanced program in history, art and archaeology, literature, philosophy and rhetoric. The Classical Languages & Literatures track focuses more intensively on language and literature, requiring the study of two languages and allowing fewer electives. Students planning to go on to graduate work in Classics should take Track 2 and study as much Latin and Greek as possible. They should make a point of talking to an advisor early in their undergraduate program. They are also advised to acquire a reading knowledge of French or German.

Prerequisite Credit

Credit will not normally be given for a lower division course in Latin or Greek if it is the prerequisite of a course already successfully completed. Exceptions can be made by the Program Director only.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Classical Civilization represents a solid liberal arts education that provides an excellent foundation for a wide variety of careers. In the last twenty-five years, many majors have applied to law or medical schools and nearly all have been accepted. Additional career options include library and museum work, teaching, journalism, and graduate study in Classics, art, archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, and religion.

Major Advisors

Consult the department office.

Honors Program

Candidates for high or highest honors in Classical Civilization must write a senior honors thesis under the direction of a faculty member in Classics. Potential candidates for the honors program must enroll in Classics CLA 194HA and CLA 194HB, normally during the first two quarters of the senior year. Enrollment is limited to upper division students with a minimum of 135 units, and a 3.500 grade point average in courses in the Classical Civilization major. For further information, students should consult with the major advisor or program director. The requirements for the honors program are in addition to the regular requirements for the major in Classical Civilization.

Graduate Study

The Department offers a master’s degree in Classics with emphasis on either Greek or Latin; however, admission into the graduate program has been suspended.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. Respective of the Track, the minimum number of units required for the Classical Civilization Bachelor of Arts are 66 & 70.

Classical & Mediterranean Civilizations Track

Preparatory Subject Matter
Latin or Greek15
Choose a series:
Elementary Latin
and Elementary Latin
and Intermediate Latin
Elementary Greek
and Elementary Greek
and Intermediate Greek
Choose two: 18
Ancient Near East & Early Greece: 3000-500 B.C.E.
Ancient Greece & the Near East: 500-146 B.C.E.
Rome & the Mediterranean: 800 B.C.E.-500 C.E.
Late Antiquity
Choose one: 13-4
Ancient Mediterranean Art
Ancient Near East & Early Greece: 3000-500 B.C.E.
Ancient Greece & the Near East: 500-146 B.C.E.
Rome & the Mediterranean: 800 B.C.E.-500 C.E.
Late Antiquity
Greek, Roman, & Near Eastern Mythology
Greek, Roman, & Near Eastern Mythology–Hybrid
Women & Gender in Classical Antiquity
Pompeii AD 79
The Classical Heritage in America
Greek & Latin Elements in English Vocabulary
Greek & Latin Elements in English Vocabulary
Greek & Latin Elements in Technical Vocabulary
Life & Economy in the Ancient Mediterranean World
Ancient Science
Major Works of the Ancient World
Philosophical Classics of the Ancient Era
The Bible & Its Interpreters
New Testament
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal26-27
Depth Subject Matter
Upper Division courses in Latin or Greek.12
CLA 190Senior Seminar4
Six Additional Upper Division Courses Chosen from the Following Groups:
Of these 24 units at least 12 must be in LAT, GRK, or CLA.
(a) Upper division courses: 212
Topics in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations
Topics in Greek Civilization
Topics in Roman Civilization
Topics in Classical Receptions
Topics in Ancient Science
Film & the Classical World
Love & Beauty in the Ancient World
Theory & Practice of Greek & Roman Mythology
Origins of Rhetoric
Forms of Knowledge in the Ancient World
Greek & Roman Historiography
Roman Political Thought
Homer & Ancient Epic
Greek & Roman Comedy
Greek & Roman Novel
Greek Tragedy
Socrates & Classical Athens
Cultural Interactions in the Ancient Mediterranean World
Mediterranean Bronze Age Archaeology
Early Greek Art & Architecture
Later Greek Art & Architecture
Roman Art & Architecture
Greek Religion & Society
Architecture & Urbanism in Mediterranean Antiquity
Roman Religions
Readings in Greek Prose
Plato
Euripides
Homer: Iliad
Homer: Odyssey
Menander
Attic Orators
Greek Hexameter Poetry
Readings in the Greek Novel
Sophocles
Aristophanes
Thucydides
Lyric Poetry
Aeschylus
Herodotus
Greek Prose Composition
Readings in Later Greek
Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy & Science
Readings in Latin Prose
Livy
Roman Comedy
Vergil: Aeneid
Sallust
Catullus
Horace: Odes & Epodes
Horace: Satires & Epistles
Roman Elegy
Ovid
Cicero
Lucretius
Vergil: Eclogues & Georgics
Roman Historians
Readings in Republican Latin Literature
Readings in Imperial Latin Literature
Latin Prose Composition
Early Christian Writers
Medieval Latin
Readings in Late Latin
Themes in Latin Literature
(b) Relevant courses in other departments such as:12
Undergraduate Proseminar in History: Ancient
Ancient History
Ancient History
Ancient History
Christian Origins
Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocrypha, & Pseudepigrapha
New Testament Literature: Synoptic Gospels
New Testament Literature: John
New Testament Literature: Paul
Hellenistic Philosophy
Pre-Socratics
Plato
Aristotle
History of Political Theory: Ancient
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal40
Total Units66-67
1

Please note that CLA 001, CLA 002, CLA 003, & CLA 004 can only be used one time (in either Area 1 OR Area 2) for the Classical Civilization major requirements.

2

In LAT or GRK (100 & above), or CLA 101ACLA 101BCLA 101CCLA 101DCLA 101E, and above, except CLA 194HA, CLA 194HB; no more than 4 units from CLA 197TC.

Classical Languages & Literatures Track

Preparatory Subject Matter
Latin
LAT 001Elementary Latin5
LAT 002Elementary Latin5
LAT 003Intermediate Latin5
Greek
GRK 001Elementary Greek5
GRK 002Elementary Greek5
GRK 003Intermediate Greek5
Classics
Choose one:4
Ancient Near East & Early Greece: 3000-500 B.C.E.
Ancient Greece & the Near East: 500-146 B.C.E.
Rome & the Mediterranean: 800 B.C.E.-500 C.E.
Late Antiquity
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal34
Depth Subject Matter
Six upper division courses in the two chosen languages, with at least two courses in each language24
CLA 190Senior Seminar4
Choose two from either of the following groups: 8
(a) Additional upper division courses: 1
Additional upper division courses in Latin or Greek.
Topics in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations
Topics in Greek Civilization
Topics in Roman Civilization
Topics in Classical Receptions
Topics in Ancient Science
Film & the Classical World
Love & Beauty in the Ancient World
Theory & Practice of Greek & Roman Mythology
Origins of Rhetoric
Forms of Knowledge in the Ancient World
Greek & Roman Historiography
Roman Political Thought
Homer & Ancient Epic
Greek & Roman Comedy
Greek & Roman Novel
Greek Tragedy
Socrates & Classical Athens
Mediterranean Bronze Age Archaeology
Early Greek Art & Architecture
Later Greek Art & Architecture
Roman Art & Architecture
Greek Religion & Society
Architecture & Urbanism in Mediterranean Antiquity
Roman Religions
Readings in Greek Prose
Plato
Euripides
Homer: Iliad
Homer: Odyssey
Menander
Attic Orators
Greek Hexameter Poetry
Readings in the Greek Novel
Sophocles
Aristophanes
Thucydides
Lyric Poetry
Aeschylus
Herodotus
Greek Prose Composition
Readings in Later Greek
Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy & Science
Readings in Latin Prose
Livy
Roman Comedy
Vergil: Aeneid
Sallust
Catullus
Horace: Odes & Epodes
Horace: Satires & Epistles
Roman Elegy
Ovid
Cicero
Lucretius
Vergil: Eclogues & Georgics
Roman Historians
Readings in Republican Latin Literature
Readings in Imperial Latin Literature
Latin Prose Composition
Early Christian Writers
Medieval Latin
Readings in Late Latin
Themes in Latin Literature
(b) Relevant courses in other departments such as:
Undergraduate Proseminar in History: Ancient
Ancient History
Ancient History
Ancient History
Christian Origins
Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocrypha, & Pseudepigrapha
New Testament Literature: Synoptic Gospels
New Testament Literature: John
New Testament Literature: Paul
Hellenistic Philosophy
Pre-Socratics
Plato
Aristotle
History of Political Theory: Ancient
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal36
Total Units70
1

In LAT or GRK (100 & above), or CLA 101ACLA 101BCLA 101CCLA 101DCLA 101E, and above, except CLA 194HA, CLA 194HB; no more than 4 units from CLA 197TC.