Classics

The field of classics embraces Greek and Roman culture from the prehistoric to the medieval periods.

The undergraduate’s primary aim in studying classics at the university is to learn Greek or Latin (or both) well enough to read the ancient authors in their original languages.

Through the study of classical literature in the original language and in English translation, and through the study of other areas encompassed by the classics, such as ancient history, philosophy, art history, mythology, and rhetoric, a student gains an understanding of the culture and ideals of the classical world and their influence on the languages and institutions of Western civilization.

Students who intend to major in classics should begin the study of one or both of the classical languages as early as possible in their undergraduate careers.

Careers. A bachelor’s degree in classics prepares students for entry into graduate programs in classics, linguistics, comparative literature, ancient history, and archaeology, eventually leading to careers in college teaching, fieldwork, or the editorial professions.

Many prestigious professional schools look upon broad and thorough schooling in the humanities with greater favor than upon narrow preprofessional undergraduate training. Accordingly, students graduating from classics departments throughout the country have had notable success in schools of law, medicine, and business.

Major Requirements

The department offers a bachelor of arts (BA) degree. Students may choose to focus on Latin language and literature (Latin concentration), Greek language and literature (Greek concentration), or a combination of Greek and Latin. Students may also study the literature and culture of the ancient civilizations through courses that use secondary sources and translated texts (classical civilization concentration).

Courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of mid-C or better.

At least four upper-division courses (normally 16 credits) must be taken at the University of Oregon.

Greek Concentration. Students must complete one year of college Greek (GRK 101, 102, 103) or demonstrate proficiency at the introductory level, and complete the following:

Students are encouraged to take electives in ancient literature in translation and in ancient art, religion, mythology, or philosophy. They are also urged to take course work in Latin.

Latin Concentration. Students must complete one year of college Latin (LAT 101, 102, 103) or demonstrate proficiency at the introductory level, and complete the following:

Students are encouraged to take electives in ancient literature in translation and in ancient art, religion, mythology, or philosophy. They are also urged to take course work in Greek.

Greek and Latin Concentration. Students must complete one year of college Greek and one year of college Latin or demonstrate proficiency in both languages at the introductory level. Students also must complete the following:

Students are encouraged to take electives in ancient literature in translation and in ancient art, religion, mythology, or philosophy.

Classical Civilization Concentration. Students must demonstrate proficiency in Greek or Latin by completing LAT 301, 302, 303 or GRK 301, 302, 303 or their equivalents with grades of mid-C or better. Students whose Greek or Latin was taken entirely in high school must take one year of second- or third-year Greek or Latin (301, 302, 303, or 411) at the University of Oregon in works not read in their high school courses. All language courses at the second- or third-year level may count toward the 20 credits of electives.

Students must complete 44 credits, distributed as follows:

Honors

The honors program in classics provides an opportunity for a student to focus on an area of concentration in a written thesis. The requirements for a bachelor’s degree with honors in classics are as follows:

1. Satisfaction of the requirements for the major
2. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better in courses taken to meet the requirements of both the major and the university
3. A senior thesis of substantial quality, approved by the thesis director and at least one member of the program committee

Minor Requirements

Greek. The minor in Greek requires 24 credits distributed as follows:

• 16 credits in upper-division courses in Greek (GRK); 4 credits of first-year Greek may be applied to this total
• 8 upper-division credits either in Greek (GRK) or in related courses in classics (CLAS), history (HIST), Latin (LAT), art history (ARH), English (ENG), philosophy (PHIL), religious studies (REL)

Students must have a grade point average of 2.50 or better in courses applied to the minor. At least four courses (typically 16 credits) must be taken at the University of Oregon.

Latin. The minor in Latin requires 24 credits distributed as follows:

• 16 credits in upper-division courses in Latin (LAT); 4 credits of first-year Latin may be applied to this total
• 8 upper-division credits either in Latin (LAT) or in related courses in classics (CLAS), history (HIST), Greek (GRK), art history (ARH), English (ENG), philosophy (PHIL), religious studies (REL)

Students must have a grade point average of 2.50 or better in courses applied to the minor. At least four courses (typically 16 credits) must be taken at the University of Oregon.

Secondary School Teaching Careers

The Department of Classics offers work for preparation to teach Latin in Oregon public secondary schools. Licensure as a secondary teacher requires completion of a graduate-level teacher preparation program. All work for the Latin endorsement should be completed before entering the teacher preparation program. For specific information about departmental requirements for the Latin endorsement, students should contact the departmental advisor. The College of Education offers a fifth-year program for teaching licensure in a second language. This program is described in the College of Education section of this catalog.

Preparatory Program for Classical Archaeology

With the existing curricular resources of the university, it is possible to arrange an undergraduate program that provides sound preparation for graduate study and an eventual career in Greek and Roman archaeology. A student would most profitably fulfill major requirements in one of the three departments contributing to the program, adding courses selected from the other two departments. The following are the three programs recommended for a specialization in classical archaeology. Approved seminars (courses numbered 407) are also recommended.

Classics. Departmental major in Latin, Greek, or classics (Latin and Greek) beyond the second year. Ancient Greece (HIST 412), Ancient Rome (HIST 414)

Courses recommended in addition to the major: seminar in Greek or Roman art (ARH 407), Art of Ancient Greece (ARH 322) or Art of Ancient Rome (ARH 323), Archaic Greek Art (ARH 423), Classical Greek Art (ARH 424), Greek Architecture (ARH 427)

History. Departmental major, with an option in the history of Greece and Rome, to include Ancient Greece (HIST 412), Ancient Rome (HIST 414)

Courses recommended in addition to the major: Art of Ancient Greece (ARH 322) or Art of Ancient Rome (ARH 323), Archaic Greek Art (ARH 423), Classical Greek Art (ARH 424), Greek Architecture (ARH 427), two years of Greek or Latin

History of Art and Architecture. Departmental major, with an option in Greek and Roman art, to include Art of Ancient Greece (ARH 322) or Art of Ancient Rome (ARH 323), Archaic Greek Art (ARH 423), Classical Greek Art (ARH 424), Greek Architecture (ARH 427)

Courses recommended in addition to the major: Ancient Greece (HIST 412), Ancient Rome (HIST 414), two years of Greek or Latin

Students who plan to pursue a career in classical archaeology are reminded that most graduate departments require familiarity with both classical languages and a reading knowledge of French and German.

The Department of Classics offers the master of arts (MA) in classics with an option in Latin, Greek, or classics (Greek and Latin). The degree may be earned with thesis or with a comprehensive examination.

The option in Greek or Latin is earned with a concentration in one of the classical languages, but students concentrating in one language typically take some work in the other.

Work for the option in classics is approximately evenly divided between Greek and Latin.

Programs of study are arranged in consultation with two advisors, at least one of whom is a member of the Department of Classics, and comprise graduate courses selected from Latin (LAT), Greek (GRK), classics (CLAS), history (HIST), history of art and architecture (ARH), religious studies (REL), philosophy (PHIL), and English (ENG).

Admission

Procedures for admission to do graduate work in classics include the following:

1. A completed Graduate Admission Application
2. Transcripts of all college work
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for international students
6. A sample of written work and a statement of academic purpose

Several graduate teaching fellowships are available each year for entering graduate students. Applicants seeking such fellowships must send an application postmarked by January 31.

Master of Arts Degree

Requirements

1. Complete at least 45 credits of graduate course work, which must include one Seminar (ARH, HIST, GRK, LAT, or CLAS 507) Introduction to Philological Methods (CLAS 611), and at least 9 credits in 600–699-level courses taken in residence
2. Complete the general MA requirements stipulated by the Graduate School
3. Pass with a grade of mid-B or better five courses in Greek and/or Latin authors
4. Complete surveys of Greek history (HIST 512) and Roman history (HIST 514). Equivalent courses taken as an undergraduate may fulfill this requirement
5. Pass a translation examination in one modern language, usually French or German. This requirement may be fulfilled with a standardized examination offered by the university or by the successful translation of a significant scholarly text
6. Choose one of three plans for completing the master of arts degree in classics with specialization in Greek, Latin, or both:

Plan 1: Write a thesis in one of the fields mentioned above. At least 9 credits of Thesis 503 must be completed and may be counted toward the 45-credit minimum. Satisfactory completion of the thesis includes an oral defense

Plan 2: Pass a comprehensive examination in two parts: translation and essay. The candidate must, in consultation with his or her advisors, define a reading list for the translation part of the examination

Plan 3: Compile a portfolio of at least two substantive essays (40–50 pages total). The candidate develops, expands, and revises work written for graduate author courses or seminars.

Additional information may be obtained from the classics department and is included with the letter of admission.

Interdisciplinary Program in Classical Civilization

The Department of Classics administers an interdisciplinary master of arts degree in classical civilization to provide predoctoral training for prospective candidates in ancient history, or for students interested in a general graduate program in ancient studies. The candidates must satisfy requirements (1), (2), (3), and (6) required for the master of arts degree in classics, and define, with the help of an advisory committee, a coherent program of study. More information may be obtained from the department office.

110 Classical Mythology (4) Introduction to the world of Greek and Roman mythology with an emphasis on the issues of personal and social identity.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

201 Greek Life and Culture (4) Uses literary sources, art, and architecture to examine Greek civilization from Mycenean times to the conquest of Rome. Wilson.

202 Roman Life and Culture (4) Examines Roman civilization from the founding of Rome in the 8th century B.C. to the victory of Constantine and his religion early in the 4th century A.D. Jaeger.

301 Greek and Roman Epic (4) Analysis of the heroic tradition and epic themes in the Homeric poems, the works of Hesiod, and the Aeneid. Emphasis on literary criticism and intellectual history.

302 Greek and Roman Tragedy (4) Examination of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and perhaps Seneca from the viewpoint of literary criticism and intellectual history. Offered alternate years.

303 Classical Greek Philosophers (4) Introduction to the philosophies of Plato and/or Aristotle from the viewpoint of Greek intellectual history. Offered alternate years. Wilson.

310 Early China, Ancient Greece (4) Examines the relationship between knowledge and wisdom in literature produced by two different ancient civilizations, Greece and China, from c. 1000 B.C.E. to 86 C.E. Offered alternate years. Shankman.

314 Gender and Sexuality in Antiquity (4) Introduction to construction of the categories of norms of Western sexuality through study of Greek and Roman attitudes toward gender roles, homo- and heterosexuality, the family, and privacy. Bowditch.

322 Theory and Practice of Ancient Mythology (4) Studies the theory and practical use of mythology of the ancient Mediterranean in its own context and through the lens of modern theorists. Prereq: CLAS 110. Offered alternate years. 

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

401 Research: [Topic] (1–21R)

403 Thesis (1–12R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

408/508 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–21R)

409 Supervised Tutoring (1–21R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

503 Thesis (1–16R) Prereq: second-year proficiency in Greek or Latin.

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

602 Supervised College Teaching (1–5R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

606 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–16R)

609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–16R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

611 Introduction to Philological Methods (4) Introduces graduate students to methodological approaches for the study of antiquity, employing faculty expertise in literary criticism, ancient art, historiography, epigraphy, ancient philosophy, and paleography.

Greek Courses (GRK)

101, 102, 103 Basic Greek (5,5,5) Fundamentals of the Attic Greek language; readings in Attic Greek and in koiné. Eckerman.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

301, 302, 303 Authors: [Topic] (4,4,4R) Second-year Greek: selections from major Greek authors with focus on reading and syntax. 301: Plato, Xenophon, or Lysias. 302: Euripides. 303: Homer or Hesiod. R when reading material changes.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

401 Research: [Topic] (1–21R)

403 Thesis (1–12R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

408/508 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–21R)

409 Practicum: [Topic] (1–21R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

411/511 Authors: [Topic] (4R) Each term devoted to a different author or literary genre: Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Herodotus, Aristophanes, lyric poetry, comedy, pastoral. R when topic changes.

503 Thesis (1–16R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

602 Supervised College Teaching (1–5R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

606 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–16R)

609 Terminal Project (1–16R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

Latin Courses (LAT)

101, 102, 103 Basic Latin (5,5,5) Fundamentals of Latin grammar; selected readings from classical and medieval authors. Calhoon.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

301, 302, 303 Authors: [Topic] (4,4,4R) Second-year Latin: selections from major Roman authors with focus on reading and syntax. 301: Caesar. 302: Virgil’s Aeneid. 303: Recent authors include Cicero, Terence, Tibullus. R when reading material changes.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

401 Research: [Topic] (1–21R)

403 Thesis (1–12R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

408/508 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–21R)

409 Supervised Tutoring (1–21R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

411/511 Authors: [Topic] (4R) Each term devoted to a different author or literary genre: Catullus, Tacitus, Juvenal, Pliny, Ovid, Lucretius, comedy, philosophy, elegy, epic, satire. R when topic changes.

503 Thesis (1–16R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

602 Supervised College Teaching (1–5R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

606 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–21R)

609 Terminal Project (1–16R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)