Undergraduate majors in Classical Studies investigate the ancient world from a variety of perspectives. They select courses in Greek and Roman literature (read in English or in Greek or Latin--their choice), ancient history, art and architecture, mythology, and ancient culture, and can add relevant electives chosen from throughout the university. They also complete a senior project. Students are required to have a 2.5 GPA in all departmental courses and a 2.0 GPA in their other courses.

Our undergraduates are warmly encouraged to take as many courses in Greek or Latin as they like, but this is not required. A Classical Studies major can choose any ancient or modern language to fulfill the Catholic University language requirement, and then the rest of their major is up to them, according to the rules that we lay out here.

  • List of Required Courses

    Any Greek (GR) or Latin (LAT) courses at or above the intermediate level ( = numbered 103-104 and above) can substitute for any of the English-language CLAS courses listed here.

    GR 101 and GR 102 may be counted towards the major only if a student also completes their CUA language requirement in Latin ( = LAT 101-102-103-104).

    There are 12 courses total required for this major:

    1. CLAS elective
    2. CLAS elective
    3. CLAS elective
    4. CLAS elective
    5. CLAS elective
    6. CLAS elective
    7. CLAS elective or elective from another department approved by undergraduate advisor
    8. CLAS elective or elective from another department approved by undergraduate advisor
    9. CLAS elective at 300 level or above
    10. CLAS elective at 300 level or above
    11. CLAS elective at 300 level or above
    12. CLAS 425 (1 cr) + CLAS 426 (2 cr): Senior Project ( = independent research supervised by a faculty member, CLAS 425 taken in the fall and CLAS 426 taken in the spring)

Adding a language Certificate

The Department of Greek and Latin maintains a Certificate program that attests to advanced-level knowledge and skill in Greek, in Latin, or in both.

Undergraduate students are allowed to earn a Certificate (which involves study alongside the department's graduate-level students) by taking a total of five advanced-level language courses in Greek, in Latin, or in Greek and Latin (three in one language and two in the other).  Two of the five Certificate courses can be double-counted towards the undergraduate major.

Preparing for graduate school

Students who wish to pursue graduate degree work in the discipline of classics, broadly defined, should expect to be evaluated for admission based upon the quantity and quality of their language studies. They are therefore strongly advised to complete the Certificate in Greek and Latin as an add-on to their undergraduate major.

  • Senior Project

    Required of all seniors, the senior project is tailored to each student's particular interests. It is carried out with the guidance and support of the student's project advisor and the department as a whole.

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  • Undergraduate Handbook

    Our Undergraduate Handbook gathers into one place most of the departmental information that our majors and minors will need throughout their careers.

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