Classics, BA

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Classics

Program Overview

The core of all our Classics majors is the study of the languages and literatures of ancient Greece and Rome and the societies that spoke Greek and Latin until the end of the ancient world (usually taken as the 5th century of the Common Era). We have four different concentrations: Greek, Latin, Greek & Latin, or Classical Civilization (the latter requiring less language proficiency). These different concentrations uniquely offer exposure to a range of approaches: literary, philological, historical, archaeological, art historical, philosophical, and anthropological. In addition, we now offer several courses on the ancient Near East and Egypt for a wider perspective on the ancient world.

Study in Related Fields

Each student completing the Classics major is strongly advised to choose a minor, selected in consultation with and approved by the departmental advisor, in such closely related fields as Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian studies, anthropology, art history, philosophy, world literature, history, theater, or English. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to master elementary vocabulary, morphology, and syntax of Greek and/or Latin, compose and express ideas in Greek and Latin, translate into idiomatic English a Greek and/or Latin text accurately, differeniate between prose and poetry, know some common rhetorical figures, place these texts in their appropriate historical, literary, and cultural contexts, and discuss questions posed by modern literary theorists.
  • Students will be able to identify the salient themes, styles, and social differences among the major historical periods, have a broad knowledge of the geography of the ancient world and the many facets of Greek and Roman society such as state formation, the development of the polis, political institutions, colonization and imperialism, literature, art, architecture, theater, mythology, religion, medicine, science, philosophy, athletics, and daily life.
  • Students will be able to recognize and articulate the fundamental variety of classical genres and major authors.
  • Students will be able to know the important difference and weighting between primary and secondary sources, know and differientiate between literary and material culture evidence, and be able to locate, read, understand, and critically analyze these sources.
  • Students will be able to investigate a topic and write a research paper in Classics that uses both primary and secondary sources and be able to present its main idea or ideas orally.
  • Students will be able to know the basic contours of the profession, including career options, and institutional landscape.

Teacher Licensure

Students admitted to Case Western Reserve University prior to Fall 2024 can declare a secondary major in Teacher Education and prepare for licensure in Adolescent to Young Adult (grades 7-12) in any one of the following areas: Integrated Language Arts (English major), Integrated Social Studies (history major), Integrated Mathematics (mathematics major), Life Science (biology major), or Physical Science (chemistry or physics major); or 2) Multi-Age (grades preK-12) in French, Spanish, or Latin. Eligible students interested in the teacher education program should refer to the General Bulletin for the year they entered Case Western Reserve University for the specific program requirements. 

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

There are four concentrations in the Classics major:

  • Greek
  • Latin
  • Greek and Latin
  • Classical Civilization

The Greek, Latin, and Greek and Latin concentrations are devoted to the philological study of ancient languages and their associated literatures in the original languages. The Classical Civilization concentration focuses on ancient history, literature in translation, and archaeology.

Each concentration requires 10 courses (30 credit hours), and at least two of these courses must be at the 300 level. For students who elect to complete their Disciplinary Communication course and capstone in Classics, two additional courses (6 hours) are required, CLSC 316 and CLSC 381. (CLSC 316 may count as one of the Classics 300-level courses, provided the student takes their Disciplinary Communication course outside of Classics.)

Departmental Honors

Departmental honors are given to students who earn the grade of A for their senior dissertation in CLSC 382  and maintain a GPA in the major of 3.5.

Concentration Requirements

In the Greek concentration students are required to take CLSC 231 and CLSC 232, then any combination of eight GREK courses, at least two of which (6 credit hours) must be at the 300-level.

In the Latin concentration students are required to take CLSC 231 and CLSC 232, then any combination of eight LATN courses, at least two of which (6 credit hours) must be at the 300-level.

In the Greek and Latin concentration students are required to take CLSC 231 and CLSC 232, then any combination of eight GREK or LATN courses, at least two of which (6 credit hours) must be at the 300-level. Students must complete at least one year of their second language.

In the Classical Civilization concentration, students are required to take CLSC 231 and CLSC 232, at least one 200-level or higher GREK or LATN course (for most students this will mean taking GREK 101, GREK 102, and GREK 201 or LATN 101, LATN 102, and LATN 201). In addition, students must take any combination of GREK, LATN or CLSC courses to bring their course total to ten courses (30 credit hours), at least two of which must be at the 300-level.

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