The major in Classical Philology is excellent preparation for graduate and professional school, particularly for graduate work in Classics. Students wishing to teach at pre-college levels will also want this major. It requires at least 6 advanced language courses, but leaves some room for courses taken in translation on the history, politics, literature, art, or philosophy of antiquity.

 

The classical philology degree enables students to explore the literature and scholarship of Greco-Roman antiquity. Students acquire advanced proficiency in Latin and Greek as well as reading knowledge of a modern language, preparing them for Classics PhD programs.

B.A. Requirements for Classical Philology Majors

24 advanced credits

• 18 must be in the chosen major language (Greek or Latin), at the 3000 level or above. Included in these 18 are: Advanced Grammar and Composition (Greek 3324 or Latin 3324) and Senior Project in the major language (Greek 4342 or Latin 4342).
• 6 additional credits are selected from offerings at the 3000 level or above in the major or second language or, by permission of the chairman, may be chosen from advanced offerings in literature, politics, philosophy, history, etc., either in the Classics Department (CLC courses in English translation) or in other departments (related field). 

For more detailed information about course requirements, see the Course Bulletin.

Whenever possible, the Classics faculty will assist the student in doing work for CLC and Related Field courses in the appropriate classical language.

A Second Language (Greek or Latin)

A second ancient language must be completed through one intermediate course (Greek 2315, Latin 2311). Advanced courses are recommended.

Senior Project & Comprehensive Exam

The Senior Project is a research paper of an ancient text in the chosen major language (Greek or Latin) presented orally at the end of the senior year. The Comprehensive Examination is a requirement for graduation and must be completed by the end of March of the senior year. It has three components: Annotated Bibliography for your Senior Project, Sight Translation of a passage in your major language (taken at the end of the Advanced Grammar and Composition course), Ancient History exam. Please speak with your Classics advisor for details.

Junior Paper

A paper intended for submission to graduate schools or for a conference completed at the end of the junior year. This can be connected with a 3000-level course or on a topic of your choosing.

Modern Language

Reading knowledge of one modern language, preferably French, German, or Italian is determined through an examination administered by the program advisor in consultation with professors in the appropriate language. The student must pass this examination no later than the end of the junior year. Students may also fulfill this requirement by completing two courses at the second-year level or equivalent.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The following outline assumes that the student will participate in the Rome Program in the spring of sophomore year.

Year I

Fall (15 credits)
        Greek 1301 First-Year Greek I
        Latin 2311 Second-Year Latin I
        English 1301 Literary Traditions I
        Philosophy 1301 Philosophy and the Ethical Life
        Politics 1311 Principles of American Politics

Spring (15 credits)
        Greek 1302 First-Year Greek II
        Latin 2312 Second-Year Latin II
        English 1302 Literary Traditions II
        Theology 1310 Understanding the Bible
        Art, Drama, Math, Music

Year II

Fall (15 credits)
        Greek 2315 Second-Year Greek I
        Latin 3300 Adv. Latin Poetry or Prose 
        English 2311 Literary Traditions IV
        History 2302 Western Civilization II
        Art, Drama, Math, Music

Spring (15 credits)
        English 2312 Literary Traditions III
        History 2301 Western Civilization I
        Theology 2311 Western Theological Tradition
        Art 2311 Art and Architecture of Rome
        Philosophy 2323 The Human Person or Greek 3325 Greek Historians

Year III

Fall (16 credits)
        Adv. Major Language 
        Modern Language 
        Philosophy 3311 Philosophy of Being
        History 1311 American Civilization I
        Life Science + Lab

Spring (16 credits)
        Adv. Major Language 
        Modern Language
        Philosophy 2323 The Human Person or Elective
        History 1312 American Civilization II
        Physical Science + Lab

 

Year IV

Fall (15 credits)
        Adv. Major Language 3324
        Elective 
        Economics 1311
        Adv. Major Language or Second Language
        Elective or Modern Language

Spring (15 credits)
        Adv. Major Language
        Senior Project
        Elective or Second Language or Related Field
        Elective or Modern Language
        Elective