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Classics
Classics | Courses | Faculty

524 Herter Hall

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Contact: Rex Wallace

Office: 520 Herter

Phone: 545-5779

Chair of Department: Associate Professor Keitel; Chief Undergraduate Adviser: Professor Rex Wallace. Professors Grose, Lawall, Philippides; Assistant Professors Felton, MacDonald; Associated Faculty: Professors La Follette (Art History); Moebius (Comparative Literature); Barton, Ware (History); Freeman (English); Matthews (Philosophy).

The Field

Classical studies is an interdisciplinary field, embracing every aspect of the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome and the formidable influence of those cultures on the subsequent development of western civilization. Classical studies provides valuable insight into the ways in which the past has shaped the world's present languages, literatures, religions, political and scientific thought, and artistic traditions. The first requirement of a student in classics is a knowledge of the original language. All Classics majors, therefore, are expected to complete a four-semester sequence in one of the classical languages. Students may take Greek (ancient or New Testament) or Latin (nonintensive or intensive sequences). The intensive sequence of Latin is taught both during the academic year and during the summer sessions. Modern Greek is also taught in the department.

The Major

Students who major or double-major in Classics must complete at least 10 courses (30 credits) in classics, Greek, or Latin in addition to the University General Education courses. Approved courses in other departments or in the Five Colleges may be substituted. Only three of these credits may be taken Pass/Fail, and normally a grade of C or better must be earned in each course.

Students interested in a Classics major should contact a member of the department, or seek advice from the Chief Undergraduate Adviser, Professor Rex Wallace, Herter 520, tel. 545-5779. Students may obtain a full descriptive brochure with the exact requirements for the major from a rack on the fifth floor of Herter Hall or from Arts and Sciences Advising or the Robsham Visitors Center. The brochure describes the programs of the Classics Department, as well as career opportunities for those majoring or double-majoring in Classical Studies.

Every student majoring in Classics, in consultation with the Chief Undergraduate Adviser, chooses a faculty member for regular advice on course selection, career choice, graduate level studies, internships, and study abroad.

Study abroad, especially in Greece or Italy, is strongly recommended for majors in classics. The Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome offers a semester (either fall or spring) in residence in Rome, Italy. Valuable summer programs are sponsored by the Vergilian Society in Cuma, Italy; the American Academy in Rome; and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The Department of Classics is affiliated with most of the above organizations.

Internships, both short-term and long-term, are available in a wide variety of regional and national businesses, art and history museums, and archives. Classics students also regularly participate in archaeological excavations, both in the United States and abroad.

A separate major, Classics and Philosophy, jointly administered by the Departments of Classics and Philosophy, is described under Interdisciplinary Majors.

Career Opportunities

A major in classics, the oldest discipline in the liberal arts, is excellent preparation for any occupation or profession, including business, government, law, politics, management, computing, publishing, seminary, medicine, teaching; and is especially valuable for vocations requiring refined analytical and verbal skills. The major also prepares a student for graduate work in all areas of classical studies: archaeology, language and literature, ancient history, and museum studies.

There is currently, throughout the United States, a critical shortage of qualified teachers of Latin at the secondary level. Because teaching at the high school level in public schools requires a teaching certificate, prospective teachers of Latin should concentrate in the Greek and Latin Languages area (see above) and continue their studies at the Master's level, either at the University or elsewhere, in Latin and Education. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not grant teaching certificates without an M.A. degree or its equivalent.

The Minors

The Classics Department offers minors in three areas: Greek Language, Latin Language, and Classical Civilization. Each acquaints the student with an important facet of Greek and/or Roman society. The minors are designed not only to be useful and enjoyable, but also to furnish a sound foundation in each of the three areas. They also offer an easy transition from the minor to the major.

Students interested in a classics minor should consult with the Chief Undergraduate Adviser.

The Greek Minor: at least 18 credits, to include the completion of courses in Greek through GREEK 320 and two classics courses at the 200-level or above.

The Latin Minor: at least 18 credits, to include the completion of two courses in Latin at the 300-level, and two classics courses at the 200-level or above.

The Classical Civilization Minor: at least 18 credits in classics courses at the 200-level or above, in addition to CLSICS 100 or 102.

Students wishing to transfer credits from other institutions to meet the requirements for a minor at the University, to substitute equivalent courses, to obtain an authorizing signature, or simply to get information about a minor, should consult the Chief Undergraduate Adviser, Professor Wallace, 520 Herter.

Classics | Courses | Faculty

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