Santa Clara University

DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS

Professors: William S. Greenwalt, John R. Heath (Department Chair)
Associate Professors: Scott LaBarge, Michael McCarthy, S.J., Helen E. Moritz
Assistant Professor: Daniel W. Turkeltaub
Senior Lecturer: John R. Dunlap

Classics in the broad sense is the study of all aspects of the life and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. The Department of Classics offers courses that explore the most important areas of these ancient civilizations and their Mediterranean context: language (ancient Greek and Latin), literature, history, philosophy, mythology, religion, and art.

Most courses in the department are open to any interested student. Classics courses, such as Mythology, Classical Tragedy, Ancient Greek Religion, and Women in Antiquity, require no knowledge of an ancient language. Latin or Greek may be taken to satisfy the secondary language requirement. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the field, classics provides an ideal liberal arts curriculum that is an excellent background for careers in many areas.

Majors and minors are available in several programs in the Department of Classics: ancient studies, classical studies, and classical languages and literatures (Latin or Greek). There is a major, but no minor, in Latin and Greek. Because course offerings in any one term are limited, students wishing a classics major are encouraged to plan their curriculum in consultation with a faculty advisor at the earliest possible date.

Students may fulfill their foreign language Core Curriculum requirement by successfully completing a proficiency examination in Latin or Greek at the level required for their program of study. Contact the department chair to make arrangements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJORS

In addition to fulfilling University Core Curriculum requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students majoring in classics must complete the following departmental requirements for each degree option:

Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Studies

• CLAS 60 (or departmentally approved substitute)
• Cultures and Ideas sequence approved by the department
• Two additional lower-division courses from CLAS 65, 67, 68, 69, 75; various courses in religious studies from an approved list
• Seven upper-division courses from perspectives that include language and literature (CLAS 141, 175, 181, 182, 184); philosophy and religious studies (CLAS 112, 114, 146, 177); art history, music/theatre and dance (CLAS 181, 182); and history and political science (CLAS 108, 109, 110, 111, 176, 183, 185, 186, 187). At least one course must be taken in each of three of the four disciplinary perspectives, and three courses must be taken within one of these perspectives. Consult with department chair for approved courses in art history, English, history, philosophy, political science, and religious studies for each of these four perspectives.
• CLAS 197A and CLAS 197B

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages and Literatures

Major in Latin or Greek

• Nine upper-division courses in the language of concentration and a capstone project (CLAS 197A and CLAS 197B)

Major in Latin and Greek

• Nine upper-division courses in the ancient languages, with at least six of these in a single language, and a capstone project (CLAS 197A and CLAS 197B)

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies

• Five courses in Latin or Greek, which may include the elementary sequence. Students entering with prior study of Latin or Greek may substitute up to two courses in classical literature with advance approval of the department chair.
• CLAS 65
• Cultures and Ideas sequence approved by the department
• One lower-division course from: CLAS 60, 67, 68, 69, 75
• Two upper-division literature courses from CLAS 141, 175, 181, 182, 184 (one upper-division reading course in Greek or Latin may be substituted)
• Two upper-division ancient history courses from CLAS 108, 109, 110, 111, 114, 176, 183
• One upper-division culture course from CLAS 112, 146, 177, 178, 185, 186, 187. Consult with department chair for approved courses in art history, English, history, philosophy, political science, and religious studies.
• CLAS 197A and CLAS 197B

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINORS

Students must fulfill the following requirements for a minor in each degree option:

Minor in Ancient Studies

• CLAS 60 (or departmentally approved substitute)
• Any two additional approved lower-division courses of the student’s choice
• Four approved upper-division courses of the student’s choice, with at least two coming from different perspectives, which include language and literature; philosophy and religious studies; art history, music/theatre and dance; and history and political science

Minor in Classical Languages and Literatures

• Completion of 20 upper-division units in either Latin or Greek

Minor in Classical Studies

• Fulfillment of the second language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Latin or Greek
• Cultures and Ideas sequence approved by the department
• Two upper-division courses in classical literature, in the original or in translation
• One upper-division course in ancient literature, history, philosophy, or art

LOWER and UPPER DIVISION COURSE LISTINGS AVAILABLE in the Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF)