2025-26 Edition

Department of Classics

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Andromache Karanika, Department Chair
400 Murray Krieger Hall
949-824-6735
www.humanities.uci.edu/classics

The Department of Classics aims to provide the undergraduate student with a working knowledge of the origins and heritage of Graeco-Roman civilization. The Department is committed to a twofold purpose: (1) disseminating interest in and knowledge of Classical Civilization through the teaching of Greek and Latin language and literature; and (2) helping students, through courses in Classical literature, history, civilization, mythology, and religion taught through English translations, to appreciate the achievements of Greek and Roman culture and their pervasive influence on our own civilization.

Study Abroad

The Department of Classics encourages students to take advantage of educational opportunities abroad while making progress toward their UCI degree. Classics majors and minors can benefit from a broader perspective of the field by studying for periods ranging from one quarter to one year at any number of universities all over the world through the UC Education Abroad Program. Students can also augment their exposure to Greek, Latin, and Classical civilizations by studying for a summer or during the academic year in Greece or Italy at programs sponsored by other academic institutions. To determine how study abroad can fit into a Classics major, visit the UCI Study Abroad Center's website. See the Department of Classics Undergraduate Program Advisor for additional information.

Career Opportunities

The study of the ancient world is a valuable possession for modern life. The discipline of Classics is an important part of a well-rounded education. Greek and Latin language and literature, history, philosophy, mythology and religion make an excellent basis for exploring all periods of Western culture up to the present day. Classics is an interdisciplinary study, exploring human culture through a variety of methods and points of view. For this reason, the student who chooses to major in Classics may find many professional opportunities.

Graduate and professional schools in medicine, law, management, and other fields welcome students with training in Classics. So do many business corporations. Business, industry, and technology are well acquainted with the value of an education in Classics. They are aware that students with a strong background in a respected and challenging major such as Classics are disciplined thinkers who can express themselves in clear, coherent, and cogent language, capabilities that are considered valuable in future physicians, lawyers, and managers.

There are also specific vocational opportunities open to the graduate in Classics. A major in this field may lead to a career in high school teaching, or (after appropriate further study) in college or university teaching. It is also an excellent preparation for advanced study in other academic disciplines such as archaeology, history, comparative literature, philosophy, and linguistics, as well as for theological studies and for work in a wide range of the humanities and social sciences.

The UCI Division of Career Pathways provides services to students and alumni including career counseling, information about job opportunities, a career library, and workshops on résumé preparation, job search, and interview techniques.

Faculty

Carlo G. Cereti, Ph.D. University of Naples "L'Orientale", Endowed Ferdowsi Presidential Chair in Zoroastrian Studies and Professor of Classics; History; Religious Studies (Zoroastrianism, Iranian languages, pre-modern history of the Iranian world)
Zina Giannopoulou, Ph.D. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Professor of Classics; European Languages and Studies (Plato, philosophy and literature, Greek tragedy and epic, film, and reception of classics)
Aleah Hernandez, Ph.D. University of California, Irvine, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Professor of Teaching of Classics (Greek epic and tragedy, classical reception, gender studies in Classics)
Andromache Karanika, Ph.D. Princeton University, Department Chair and Professor of Classics; European Languages and Studies (Greek epic poetry, Greek lyric, ritual, gender and performance, reception of antiquity in Byzantium)
Maria C. Pantelia, Ph.D. Ohio State University, Director, Thesaurus Linguae Graecae® and Professor of Classics; Religious Studies (Greek epic, Hellenistic poetry, digital technologies in the humanities)
Richard Snyder, Ph.D. University of Southern California, Assistant Professor of Teaching of Classics (philosophy and literature, epic tradition, Latin poetry)
Paul Andrew Zissos, Ph.D. Princeton University, Professor of Classics; European Languages and Studies (Latin epic, medieval Latin, Roman history and culture, Classical reception)

Classics Courses

CLASSIC 10.  Medical Terminology.  4 Units.  
A study of English terms derived from Greek and Latin that are important to contemporary medicine, science, and other professions. Emphasis on development of word-building skills. No prior knowledge of Greek or Latin required.
CLASSIC 36A.  The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Early Greece.  4 Units.  
A survey of ancient Greek civilization from its origins in the Bronze Age to the mid-Archaic period. Examines political and social history, as well as literature, art, religion, and archaeological remains.
Same as HISTORY 36A  
(IV)  
CLASSIC 36B.  The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Late Archaic and Classical Greece.  4 Units.  
A survey of ancient Greek civilization from the Late Archaic period to the Classical period. Focuses on major institutions and cultural phenomena as seen through the study of ancient Greek literature, history, archaeology, and religion.
Same as HISTORY 36B  
(IV)  
CLASSIC 36C.  The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Fourth-Century and Hellenistic Greece.  4 Units.  
A survey of ancient Greek civilization from the fourth century BCE through to the Hellenistic period. Focuses on major institutions and cultural phenomena as seen through the study of ancient Greek literature, history, archaeology, and religion.
Same as HISTORY 36C  
(IV)  
CLASSIC 37A.  The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Origins to Roman Republic.  4 Units.  
A survey of the development of Roman civilization from its eighth century BCE beginnings to the civil wars of the first century BCE. Examines political and social history, as well as literature, art, architecture, and religion.
Same as HISTORY 37A  
(IV)  
CLASSIC 37B.  The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Roman Empire.  4 Units.  
A survey of Roman civilization from Augustus’s consolidation of power following the civil wars of the first century BCE to the crisis of the third century CE. Includes social history, literature, art, architecture, and religion.
Same as HISTORY 37B  
(IV)  
CLASSIC 37C.  The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: The Fall of Rome.  4 Units.  
A survey of Roman civilization from the crisis of the third century CE to the so-called “fall of Rome” in 476 CE. Examines political and social history, as well as literature, art, architecture, and religion.
Same as HISTORY 37C  
(IV)  
CLASSIC 45A.  Classical Mythology: The Gods.  4 Units.  
An overview of the main myths of the gods of the ancient Greeks and Romans and their influence in contemporary and later literature and art. Includes readings from both ancient and modern sources.
(IV)  
CLASSIC 45B.  Classical Mythology: The Heroes.  4 Units.  
An overview of the main myths of the heroes of the ancient Greeks and Romans and their influence in contemporary and later literature and art. Includes readings from both ancient and modern sources.
(IV)  
CLASSIC 45C.  Classical Mythology: Ancient and Modern Perspectives of Classical Mythology.  4 Units.  
Detailed examination of key Greek and Roman myths, their interpretations, and the influence they have exerted on literature, art, and popular culture in subsequent periods.
(IV)  
CLASSIC 99.  Special Studies in Classics.  1-4 Units.  
Lower-division level independent research with Classics faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
CLASSIC 140.  Classics and History: The Ancient World.  4 Units.  
Selected topics in society and culture of the Graeco-Roman world. Readings in translation.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
CLASSIC 150.  Classical Mythology.  4 Units.  
Selected myths and legends as used in Classical literature, and their modern interpretations.
CLASSIC 160.  Topics in Classical Literature in English Translation.  4 Units.  
Studies in selected areas of Classical literature. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
CLASSIC 160W.  Topics in Classical Literature in English Translation.  4 Units.  
Studies in selected areas of Classical literature. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.   
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
(Ib)  
CLASSIC 166.  Topics in Classical Reception.  4 Units.  
Studies in selected areas of Classical reception. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
CLASSIC 170.  Topics in Classical Civilization.  4 Units.  
Studies in selected areas of Classical civilization. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
CLASSIC 176.  International Studies and the Classics.  4 Units.  
Develops a broader understanding of the formation of different cultures and countries of Classical times and their impact on the modern world.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
CLASSIC 192A.  Senior Capstone.  2 Units.  
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, majors design and execute a senior project. This project may be a research paper, dramatic production, school curriculum, etc. All projects must be approved by the faculty mentor.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.  
CLASSIC 192B.  Senior Capstone.  4 Units.  
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, majors design and execute a senior project. This project may be a research paper, dramatic production, school curriculum, etc. All projects must be approved by the faculty mentor.
Prerequisite: CLASSIC 192A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.  
CLASSIC 198.  Directed Group Study.  4 Units.  
Special topics in Classical studies through directed reading and research.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
CLASSIC 199.  Independent Study in Classics.  1-4 Units.  
Independent research with Classics faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
CLASSIC 280.  Independent Study.  4-12 Units.  
Supervised independent research. Subject varies.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
CLASSIC 290.  Research in Classics.  4-12 Units.  
Research under Classics faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
CLASSIC 299.  Dissertation Research.  4-12 Units.  
Dissertation research with Classics faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
CLASSIC 399.  University Teaching.  4 Units.  
Limited to Teaching Assistants.
Grading Option: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only  
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  

Greek Courses

GREEK 1A.  Classical and Biblical Greek.  5 Units.  
Elements of Classical Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
GREEK 1B.  Classical and Biblical Greek.  5 Units.  
Elements of Classical Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
Prerequisite: GREEK 1A with a minimum grade of C.   
Restrictions: GREEK 1B and GREEK S1AB and GREEK S1BC may not be taken for full credit.  
GREEK 1C.  Classical and Biblical Greek.  5 Units.  
Introduction to reading texts.
Prerequisite: GREEK 1B with a minimum grade of C.   
(VI)  
GREEK 99.  Special Studies in Greek.  1-4 Units.  
Lower-division level independent research with Greek faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
GREEK 100.  Topics in Attic Greek.  4 Units.  
Selected readings in Attic Greek prose and poetry. Authors may include Xenophon, Lysias, Antiphon, Euripides, and others. Selections from prose and poetry will be read each quarter. Grammar and syntax review included.
Prerequisite: GREEK 1C with a minimum grade of C. Placement into GREEK 100 is also accepted.  
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
GREEK 103.  Seminar in Greek Prose.  4 Units.  
Specialized and focused study of a particular Greek prose author or topic.
Prerequisite: GREEK 100.   
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
GREEK 104.  Seminar in Greek Poetry.  4 Units.  
Specialized and focused study of a particular topic or author of Greek poetry.
Prerequisite: GREEK 100.   
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
GREEK 198.  Directed Group Study.  4 Units.  
Special topics in Greek culture and civilization through directed reading and research.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
GREEK 199.  Independent Studies in Greek.  1-4 Units.  
Independent research with Greek faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  

Latin Courses

LATIN 1A.  Fundamentals of Latin.  5 Units.  
Elements of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
Overlaps with LATIN S1AB.  
Restrictions: LATIN 1A and LATIN S1AB may not be taken for full credit.  
LATIN 1B.  Fundamentals of Latin.  5 Units.  
Elements of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
Prerequisite: LATIN 1A with a minimum grade of C.   
Overlaps with LATIN S1AB, LATIN S1BC.  
Restrictions: LATIN 1B and LATIN S1AB and LATIN S1BC may not be taken for full credit.  
LATIN 1C.  Fundamentals of Latin.  5 Units.  
Introduction to reading texts, including study of the poetry of Catullus and selected readings.
Prerequisite: LATIN 1B with a minimum grade of C.   
Overlaps with LATIN S1BC.  
Restrictions: LATIN 1C and LATIN S1BC may not be taken for full credit.  
(VI)  
LATIN 99.  Special Studies in Latin.  1-4 Units.  
Lower-division level independent research with Latin faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
LATIN 100.  Topics in Classical Latin.  4 Units.  
Selected readings in Classical Latin prose and poetry. Authors may include Cicero, Caesar, Ovid, Catullus, and others. Selections from prose and poetry will be read each quarter. Grammar and syntax review included.
Prerequisite: LATIN 1C with a minimum grade of C. Placement into Latin 100 is also accepted.  
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
LATIN 103.  Seminar in Latin Prose.  4 Units.  
Specialized and focused study of a particular Latin prose author or topic.
Prerequisite: LATIN 100.   
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
LATIN 104.  Seminar in Latin Poetry.  4 Units.  
Specialized and focused study of a particular topic or author in Latin poetry.
Prerequisite: LATIN 100.   
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary  
LATIN 198.  Directed Group Study.  1-4 Units.  
Special topics in Roman culture and civilization through directed reading and research.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
LATIN 199.  Independent Studies in Latin.  1-4 Units.  
Independent research with Latin faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times