Professors: Marilyn A. Katz, James O’Hara (Chair), Michael Roberts, Andrew Szegedy-Maszak

Associate Professors: Carla Antonaccio, Christopher Parslow

The Department of Classical Studies offers courses in Greek and Latin languages and literatures at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels and a broad range of classical civilization courses—courses in art and archaeology, social or political history, religion, literature, or some combination of these that require no knowledge of Latin or Greek. All courses are open to both majors and nonmajors.

The department offers two major programs, one in classical civilization, one in classics (either Greek or Latin or both).

Classical civilization major. The classical civilization major is designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of at least one ancient language and a comprehensive understanding of Greek and Roman civilization. Since classical studies encompass many different disciplines, students have the opportunity to adapt the program to their particular interests.

Classical civilization courses fall into two categories. The first are general survey courses that provide an overview of one aspect of the ancient world, for example, Greek History (CCIV231), Roman History (CCIV232), Greek Drama (CCIV202), Survey of Greek Architecture and Art (CCIV214), Latin Literature in English (CCIV203). Generally, these courses have high enrollment limits. In the second group are the classical civilization seminars, smaller courses that explore special aspects of the ancient world and provide opportunity for discussion and specialized research, for example, Heroic Age of Greece (CCIV322), City of Athens: Origins and Development of a Greek Polis (CCIV321), Society and Culture in Ancient Greece (CCIV391), Alexander the Great (CCIV330), Historical Narrative (CCIV324), Last Days of the Roman Republic (CCIV274), Art and Society in Ancient Pompeii (CCIV234), Romans and Christians: Cultural Change in Late Antiquity (CCIV371). Classics and classical civilization majors have preferred admission to these courses, but several spaces are generally available to nonmajors.

Requirements for classical civilization major. Students must take a minimum of nine courses in classical civilization, Greek, and Latin. Students who begin the study of classical languages at Wesleyan must include among the credits for the classical civilization major two courses in Latin or Greek at the intermediate level (201/202) or above. Students who enter Wesleyan with the equivalent of one year’s university-level study of a classical language should take three courses at the intermediate level and advanced level of Latin or Greek. In addition, students should include two classical civilization seminars among the nine courses required for the major (alternatively, an additional advanced language seminar may be substituted for one of the classical civilization seminars).

Because two or three language courses beyond the introductory level are required, students interested in the classical civilization major are urged to begin language study as soon as possible or to consult with a member of the department as soon as possible (see also below under Summer study).

Students interested in graduate work in classics are advised to give strong consideration to what is said below about language preparation. Students interested in archaeology may major in classical civilization or in archaeological studies. See listing for the program in archaeological studies.

Students interested in teaching may have an opportunity to serve as teaching apprentices in introductory Latin or Greek courses.

Classics major. A major in classics will concentrate on Greek, Latin, or a combination of both languages. As a practical matter, students who have had no classical languages before coming to Wesleyan and who wish to major in classics should begin Greek or Latin in their freshman year or take an intensive summer course before the sophomore year (see below under Summer study). Students considering graduate school in classics are strongly urged to acquire a firm grounding in both languages. It is recommended, though not required, that students majoring in classics learn a modern foreign language (preferably Italian, French, or German), and that they take courses in other subjects related to their particular area of interest (literature, history, philosophy and religion, art and archaeology). Students interested in teaching may have an opportunity to serve as teaching apprentices in introductory Latin or Greek courses.

Courses in Greek and Latin fall into three categories. First-year language courses, which are intended for those with little or no prior training in the languages, provide basic training in Latin and Greek and some exposure to the culture of the ancient world. Second-year or intermediate courses, intended for those with a year of college training or two to four years of high school training, study selected texts in their literary and historical contexts, with an introduction to critical approaches to classical literature. Advanced language and literature seminars focus on a rotating set of authors, genres, or periods and provide greater opportunity for discussion and specialized research.

Students unsure of what level of language course to take should consult with a member of the department.

Requirements for classics major. A minimum of nine courses in Greek, Latin, and classical civilization is required. Six of these must be courses in the original language beyond the introductory level (courses numbered 201 or higher). One more must be a classical civilization seminar. The remaining courses may be in Greek, Latin, or classical civilization.

Special rules for both classics and classical civilization majors. The first year of Greek or Latin (courses numbered 101 and 102) may not be counted toward the required minimum of nine courses, but a full year of the student’s second classical language may count as one course toward that minimum. In extremely unusual cases, students may ask to have courses in other departments substituted for classical civilization courses. Students are required to plan their programs in consultation with a member of the department and to file a concentration form with the department.

Semester abroad. Majors in both classics and classical civilization are encouraged to apply to spend a semester abroad, usually in the junior year. In Rome, the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies provides regular college credit and the opportunity to study firsthand the monuments and culture of ancient and modern Italy. Students interested in applying to the center are urged to take CCIV232 (Roman History), which is generally offered every other year, and to begin the study of Latin and/or Greek before the year in which they hope to be in Rome, since no first-year Latin or Greek courses are offered at the center. Applications for spring term are due mid-October; those for fall term are due mid-March. Students interested in applying to the center should consult with a department faculty member as soon as possible.

Several programs provide opportunities for study in Greece, although credit for these programs must be arranged and approved in advance. Among others, College Year in Athens offers either a full year or one semester of study in ancient through modern Greek language, history, art, and archaeology. A semester in Chania, Crete, on the Ithaka College Program covers Greece from antiquity to the present from anthropological and sociological, as well as historical, perspectives. Students should consult with a faculty member well in advance of the term in which they hope to be abroad to discuss credit, the application process, and how their plans to be in Greece should influence their selection of courses at Wesleyan.

Summer study. Small grants from the Squire Fund are available to help defray the cost of attending some summer programs (intensive language courses, travel to excavations, or other summer programs in Greece or Italy, etc.).

All majors are eligible for participation in Wesleyan archaeological excavations.
 

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