THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN CLASSICS

Students and faculty in Classics are deeply interested in the continuing humanistic values explored in the literature of ancient Greece and Rome and in those ancient cultures and their imprint upon subsequent ages.   The interdisciplinary study of Greek and Roman antiquity includes:  Greek and Latin language, literature, and linguistics; ancient philosophy; history; archaeology and art history; papyrology; epigraphy; and numismatics. 

The Department of Classics at Cornell has a long tradition of distinguished teaching and scholarship.   The department is among the largest in the country.  With 20 faculty members – and with professors of related subjects in archaeology, comparative literature, history, history of art, linguistics, medieval studies, Near Eastern studies, philosophy, and religious studies -- the range of instruction is large.   Included are the traditional study of language, literature, and ancient history and newer approaches, such as comparative study of Mediterranean civilizations and modern literary theory.   Because of the large number of faculty and small size of most classes, students of classics are ensured opportunities to work closely with individual professors.   Cornell Studies in Classical Philology (est. 1887) is the oldest continuously published American monograph series in the field.

Some students in Classics go on to further study in the field or related fields and to careers in teaching and scholarship; others find their studies excellent preparation for virtually any professional training (including medical school) and careers.  Studying the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome is indeed fine liberal education and background for living in an age of technology and specialization, and Cornell Classics majors have distinguished themselves in the fields of medicine, law, business, education, diplomacy, management, engineering, and government.

Language Study and Literature in Greek and Latin

For many students, studying Classics begins in college.   Introductory courses in Greek and Latin encourage rapid development of reading skills.   By the end of their first year, students are ready to read Plato and Homer in Greek, and Cicero, Catullus, and Vergil in Latin.   Students who enter Cornell with prior training are placed in the appropriate level by departmental examination.

In intermediate level courses, students review grammar and vocabulary and are introduced to various aspects of interpretation.  Advanced courses vary in content from year to year to cover the major authors, epochs, and genres of Greek and Latin literature and – through literary and historical interpretation – to develop appreciation of their special characteristics.   The most recent offerings in Greek have included Homer, the Lyric poets, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Herodotus, Thucydides, Demosthenes, Plato, and Aristotle; in Latin, Lucretius, Horace, Ovid, Propertius, Tacitus, Tibullus, the Neronian and Flavian epic poets, and medieval writers.    Classics majors are encouraged to enhance their knowledge of the languages with courses in Greek and Latin prose composition.

The Department also offers courses in Greek and Latin historical linguistics and cross-lists courses in Sanskrit, the related Indo-European language of ancient India, and modern Greek. 

Placement in Latin and Ancient Greek

Students with background in Latin or ancient Greek who continue their study at Cornell are placed in appropriate courses by an examination given by the Department of Classics during orientation week or by arrangement with the director of undergraduate studies.

Classics in Translation

For Classics majors and other interested students, the Department offers a wide variety of courses with readings of ancient sources in English translation.  The aim of these courses is to introduce the civilizations of Greece and Rome as expressed in literature, art, and social and political institutions.  "Greek Experience" and "Roman Experience" are one semester surveys ranging from the prehistoric times to the transition from the ancient to the medieval world.  “Greek Mythology” focuses on myths as the Greeks themselves expressed and understood them, on their influence on the Western tradition of literature and art, and on modern interpretation.  Other examples of general interest courses are Greek and Roman drama, classical archaeology, ancient religion, the epic tradition, ancient comedy and satire, and, from faculty in related fields, Greek and Roman art, history, philosophy, and politics, and political theory.

Classical Archaeology

Courses in classical archaeology, a significant part of the program, range from classroom surveys to field training in Greece and Italy.  Archaeology is a multi-disciplinary subject, and offerings by faculty in Classics are coordinated with and supplemented by courses in art history and the interdepartmental Program in Archaeology.  Introductory courses include “Introduction to Classical Archaeology,” “Archaeology of Private Life,” and Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean.” Upper-level courses either cover specific themes/periods, such as Minoan-Mycenaean archaeology, ancient economy, religion or mythology, or introduce archaeological methods, like dendrochronology, zooarchaeology or archaeological theory.

Classics faculty currently run field projects in Cyprus, focusing on Bronze-Age settlement; and Sicily, focusing on Roman economy and landscapes. Cornell is also home to the Aegean Dendrochronology Project, which also conducts summer expeditions. The University also participates in annual campaigns of excavation and study at Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia in Asia Minor. A limited amount of funding for students wishing to participate in these and other archaeological projects is administered by the Archaeology Program.

First-Year Writing Seminars

The department offers first-year writing seminars on a variety of topics.  Consult John S.  Knight Writing Seminar Program brochures for times, instructors, and descriptions.

Majors

The major in the Department of Classics offers four tracks, which are Classics, Greek, Latin, and Classical Civilization.

Classics

The Classics track requires: (1) six courses in Greek and Latin numbered 2101 or above; (2) either CLASS 2675/HIST 2650, CLASS 2681/HIST 2670 or CLASS 2682/HIST 2671; and (3) two courses in other related subjects selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor (see below).  Classics majors are required to take a minimum of two 3000-level courses in one language and one 3000-level course in the other.  Students considering graduate study in Classics are strongly advised to complete the Classics major.

Greek

The Greek track requires: (1) Greek 1105; (2) five courses in Greek numbered 2101 or above; (3) CLASS 2675/HIST 2650; and (4) two courses in other related subjects selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor (see below).  The courses in Greek must include at least three at the 3000-level.

Latin

The Latin track requires: (1) LATIN 1205 or 2201; (2) five courses in Latin numbered 2202 and above; (3) CLASS 2681/HIST 2670 or CLASS 2682/HIST 2671; and (4) two courses in other related subjects selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor (see below).  The courses in Latin must include at least three at the 3000-level.

Classical Civilization

The Classical Civilization track requires: (1) either (a) two 2000-level courses in either ancient Greek or Latin, or (b) one course each at the 2000-level in ancient Greek and Latin; (2) either (a) CLASS 2601or 2603 and CLASS 2681/HIST 2670 or CLASS 2682/HIST2671, or (b) CLASS 2612 and CLASS 2675/HIST 2650; (3) one course at the 2000-level in ancient Greek or Roman material culture; and (4) six additional courses in classical civilization, classical archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient Greek or Latin (at 2000-level or above), or related subjects (this last may number up to two, selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor).

Related Subjects

Classics is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the study of Mediterranean civilizations from the 15^th century BCE to the sixth century CE.   In addition to the required courses in Greek and Latin language and literature, the major includes related courses intended to give breadth and exposure to the other disciplines within the field and to enrich the student's study of the original languages and literature.  Since the influence of the Greek and Roman world extended far beyond antiquity, a related course may focus on some aspect of the classical tradition in a later period.  Students select related courses in consultation with their departmental advisors or the director of undergraduate study.

Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with honors in Classics, Greek, Latin, or Classical Civilization must fulfill the requirements of the appropriate major study as given above and must also successfully complete the two-semester honors course, CLASS 4721-4722.  Credit for the honors course may be included in the credits required for the major.  Students who wish to become candidates for honors must have a cumulative average grade of 3.0 and an average of 3.5 in their major.  In consultation with the departmental honors committee or the DUS, the students should choose an honors adviser by the end of their sixth semester.  By the second week of their seventh semester they should submit an outline of their proposed research to the committee and to the adviser(s).  The thesis will be written under the supervision of the student’s honors adviser(s).  The level of honors is determined by the committee, in consultation with student’s advisor(s).  A copy of each successful honors thesis will be filed with the department.

Independent Study

Independent study at the 3000-level may be undertaken by undergraduates upon completion of one semester of work at the 3000-level in the relevant field and only with the permission of the director of undergraduate studies in cases of extraordinary circumstances.

Study Abroad

Cornell participates in the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, which offers courses in Latin, Greek, ancient history, art, archaeology, and Italian.  Another opportunity for a semester's study abroad is College Year in Athens.  (Consult Cornell Abroad for details.) In addition, Cornell is a member institution of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, whose summer program is open to graduate students and qualified undergraduates.  The American Academy in Rome, of which Cornell is also a member institution, offers full-year and summer programs for qualified graduate students.  Detailed information on these programs is available in the Department of Classics Office, 120 Goldwin Smith Hall.

Summer Support for Language Study

The Beatrice R.  Kanders Memorial Scholarship is available to students enrolling in Intensive Latin or Greek in the Cornell summer session for the summer immediately following the freshman or sophomore year.  These courses are designed to enable students to enter second-year Latin or Greek the following fall.  Preference is given to Classics undergraduate majors, other students needing Latin or Greek for completion of their majors, and dyslexic students.  Applications are due to the chair of the Department of Classics by March 31.

Harry Caplan Travel Fellowships

Harry Caplan was one of Cornell’s most renowned and beloved professors of Classics.   Two summer travel fellowships are awarded annually to outstanding juniors, not necessarily classics majors, to support travel or other projects that enhance serious study of the classical cultures of the Near East, Greece, Rome, and Latinate medieval Europe.   Students apply by submitting a proposal for the grant on the second Friday of November.

Michael Fontaine - Director of Undergraduate Studies
Linda Brown - Administrative Assistant to Director of Undergraduate Studies

Last revision 8/22/08