Major in Classics - Culture Track

The study of Classical civilization – the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome and their relationship to the societies of the Mediterranean and the Near East – is the origin and foundation of the modern university. To this day, it continues to be a model of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of culture, combining fields of literature and language, history, archaeology and art history, religious studies, and philosophy. 

As a major or minor field of study at St. Thomas, Classics provides the opportunity for students to include various disciplines under one rubric, thus allowing them to explore their talents and demonstrate their versatility. It also enhances students’ understanding of the origins of modern Western culture - including its relationship to the ancient Near East -- while training them to work as different disciplines require. The senior paper required for the major will be composed in consultation with the program director. 

The Classics major (Culture Track)

The Classics major (culture track) consists of 40 credits (10 courses) total. 

Students will establish a minimum proficiency in either Latin or Greek in one of two ways: 

• Completing the 212 course OR
  by completing at least 12 credits (3 courses) in sequential courses in one language. (e.g., 111-112-211 OR 112-211-212 OR 211-212 plus one upper division course of the 300 or 400 level)

The remaining credits/courses will be selected from the approved list of language and culture courses (listed below). 

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Major in Classics - Language Track

The language track of the Classics major engages students in the study of the languages, literatures and cultures of two ancient civilizations that have left a lasting impact upon the modern world: classical Greece and Rome. This major prepares students to read either Latin or both Latin and Greek, depending on the student’s interests.  Courses in either language introduce the significant works of essential authors, and provide analytical tools for examining the relationship between language and the unique identity of either culture.  Upper division courses in Latin also focus on developing fluency through the use of Latin as a communicative tool;  hence, students will develop skills in speaking, listening and writing as well as reading in Latin. 

Major in Classics (Language Track) 

The Classics major (language track) consists of 40 credits (10 courses) total. 

• Students will take a minimum of 28 credits (7 courses) in language (Latin and/or Greek) courses, with at least 8 credits (2 courses) at the 300 level
• the remaining credits/courses will be selected from the approved list of language and culture courses.  

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Minor in Classics - Culture Track

The Classics minor (culture track) consists of 20 credits (5 courses) total. 

Students will establish a minimum proficiency in either Latin or Greek, achieved by completing either:

• Latin or Greek at the 211 level OR
  by taking at least 2 sequential language courses (e.g., 111-112).
• The remaining courses will be selected from the approved list of language and culture courses.
  Of the 20 credits, at least 8 credits (2 courses) must be at the 200 level or above. 

Study abroad courses are eligible for inclusion; syllabi must be submitted to the program director for approval. 

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Minor in Classics - Language Track

The Classics minor (language track) consists of 16 credits (4 courses) total. 

• Students will take at least 12 credits (3 courses) in one language (Latin or Greek), and may select the fourth course from the approved list of culture or language courses. 
• All 16 credits (4 courses) must be above the 100 level, and include at least 4 credits (1 course) in Latin at the 300 level or Greek 212 (to establish minimum proficiency in one language). 

For administrative purposes, students may be asked to complete assessment measures in their 212 course and will be asked to complete them during their final semester.   

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Approved list of courses - 

All Latin and Greek language courses (4 credits each): 

• GREK 111 Elementary Classical Greek I (4 credits) 
• GREK 112 Elementary Classical Greek II (4 credits) 
• GREK 211 Intermediate Classical Greek I (4 credits) 
• GREK 212 Intermed Classical Greek II (4 credits) 
• GREK 243 Individual Study (2 or 4 credits) 
• GREK 269 Research  (2 or 4 credits) 
• GREK 393 Individual Study (2 or 4 credits) 
• LATN 111 Elementary Latin I (4 credits) 
• LATN 112 Elementary Latin II (4 credits) 
• LATN 211 Intermediate Latin (4 credits) 
• LATN 212 Intermediate Latin II (4 credits) 
• LATN 243 Individual Study (2 to 4 credits) 
• LATN 255 Latin: Old/New Testament (4 credits) 
• LATN 269 Research (2 or 4 credits) 
• LATN 296 Topics(2 credits) 
• LATN 298 Topics(4 credits) 
• LATN 305 Introduction to Medieval Latin (4 credits) 
• LATN 311 Latin Composition (4 credits) 
• LATN 320 St. Augustine (4 credits) 
• LATN 360 Topics Phil & Scientific Latin  (4 credits) 
• LATN 393 Individual Study (2 or 4 credits) 
• LATN 421 Vergil(4 credits) 
• LATN 430 Caesar and Cicero (4 credits) 
• LATN 490 Topics(4 credits) 
• LATN 495 Individual Study (2 or 4 credits) 

Classical Culture Courses (4 credits each): 

• ARTH 260 Women in Ancient Art and Culture (4 credits) 
• ARTH 305 Greek Art and Archaeology (4 credits) 
• ARTH 310 Roman Art and Archaeology (4 credits) 
• CLAS 225 The Classical Hero, Epic and Film (4 credits) 
• CLAS 245 Classical Mythology (4 credits) 
• CLAS 397 Topics (4 credits) 
• CLAS 480 Senior Paper (0 credits) 
• ENGL 220 The Classical Tradition (4 credits) 
• HIST 203 Ancient Egypt and the Near East (4 credits) 
• HIST 205 The Ancient Greek World (4 credits) 
• HIST 208 History of the Roman World (4 credits) 
• HIST 209 Historical Archaeology (4 credits) 
• PHIL 200 Ancient Philosophy (4 credits)