2023-24 Edition

Classics, B.A.

The Department offers a major in Classics with three possible emphases. Students may choose an emphasis in Greek and Latin Language and Literature, Latin Language and Literature, or Classical Civilization. Students are encouraged to consult with the Classics faculty regarding the appropriate choice of major and design of their programs.

For the emphasis in Greek and Latin Language and Literature, study of the Classics must be based on competence in both Greek and Latin. This emphasis is designed to provide the student with language competence as rapidly as possible, so that by the end of first-year Greek or Latin the student has already been introduced to some of the major Classical authors in the original language. From then on, courses are devoted to reading and interpreting the literature of ancient Greece and Rome. In addition to their training in the languages, students increase their knowledge of the literature, history, and thought of the ancient world through the close study of some of its finest writers.

The Latin Language and Literature emphasis is designed for those students who want to focus on Rome and the Latin language as their area of study. By the end of first-year Latin, students will be reading and analyzing some of the most influential works in Latin literature. In addition to gaining an expertise in Latin, students also devote a portion of their study to an examination of the history and culture of ancient Rome by taking upper-division Classical Civilization courses with Rome as their focus and/or additional Latin courses. Courses from other departments in the School of Humanities with a focus on later historical periods heavily influenced by Roman culture (such as the medieval period) may be used to satisfy some of the degree requirements, with prior approval of the Department of Classics.

The emphasis in Classical Civilization is designed for students who do not plan to concentrate on the Classical languages or pursue graduate study in the Classics, yet wish to obtain an undergraduate degree based on a sound knowledge of the Classical world. This major requires one year of study (or its equivalent) of either Greek or Latin and courses taught in English translation concerning such topics as Classical literature, civilization, history, archaeology, art, drama, and philosophy.

Students entering UCI with previous Greek or Latin training may be given advanced standing. Usually, one year of high school work is equated with one quarter of UCI work. For example, students with one, two, or three years of high school Latin (or Greek) will enroll in Latin (or Greek) 1B, 1C, and 100, respectively. Placement may vary (depending on the extent of the student’s preparation) and a placement test may be required. Students with transfer credit for Greek and/or Latin may not repeat those courses for credit. Students with high school training in the Classical languages are required to consult with the Classics undergraduate advisor before enrolling in Greek or Latin courses.

The Department adheres to the policy of giving its students an opportunity to participate in the departmental decision-making process. Student representatives, elected from and by the undergraduate majors, participate in all open departmental meetings. Representatives are responsible for maintaining close liaison with their constituency, for representing the students’ interest in curriculum and personnel matters.

Inquiries regarding language placement, prerequisites, planning a program of study, or other matters related to the Department’s offerings should be directed to the Office of the Chair, 400 Murray Krieger Hall, telephone 949-824-6735.

Planning a Program of Study

The Department believes in close consultation with students on academic advising and program planning. Students planning to major in Classics or minor in Greek, Latin, or Classical Civilization are strongly urged to consult with the departmental faculty at the earliest moment to learn about the various programs.

All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
All students are subject to the Language Other Than English Placement and Progression policies.
Departmental Requirements for the Major

The B.A. program in Classics is devoted to the study of languages, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Students select one of three emphases: (1) Greek and Latin Language and Literature; (2) Latin Language and Literature; or (3) Classical Civilization.

Emphasis in Greek and Latin Language and Literature
A. Choose either Greek Focus or Latin Focus:
1. Greek Focus:
The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Early Greece
and The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Late Archaic and Classical Greece
and The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Fourth-Century and Hellenistic Greece
and select six upper-division courses in GREEK 100–104, GREEK 120
and select three upper-division courses in LATIN 100–104
or
2. Latin Focus:
The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Origins to Roman Republic
and The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Roman Empire
and The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: The Fall of Rome
and select six upper-division courses in LATIN 100–104
and select three upper-division courses in GREEK 100–104
B. One additional upper-division course in Greek or Latin. One upper-division Classics class (CLASSIC 140, CLASSIC 150, CLASSIC 160, CLASSIC 170, CLASSIC 176) may be substituted for the upper-division Greek or Latin course with prior approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor.
C. Senior Capstone Requirement:
CLASSIC 192A-CLASSIC 192B (or equivalent) taken during the senior year. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students design and execute a senior project. Students may plan a project centering on an area of strong interest and may write a research paper, design a creative project, a primary or secondary school curriculum, or other similar projects. All project proposals must be approved by the end of CLASSIC 192A. Six units of CLASSIC 198, CLASSIC 199, or GREEK 199 may be substituted for CLASSIC 192A-CLASSIC 192B with prior approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor.
Emphasis in Latin Language and Literature
A. Complete:
CLASSIC 37A- 37B- 37C The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Origins to Roman Republic
and The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Roman Empire
and The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: The Fall of Rome
B. Select six upper-division courses in LATIN 100–104.
C. Select four upper-division courses from the following:
Seminar in Latin Prose
Seminar in Latin Poetry
Classics and History: The Ancient World
Classical Mythology
Topics in Classical Literature in English Translation
Topics in Classical Civilization
International Studies and the Classics
Courses taken in another UCI department may be substituted with prior approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor; three of these courses must be Roman in topic (the fourth course may have a Greek topic).
D. Senior Capstone Requirement:
CLASSIC 192A-CLASSIC 192B (or equivalent) taken during the senior year. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students design and execute a senior project. Students may plan a project centering on an area of strong interest and may write a research paper, design a creative project, a primary or secondary school curriculum, or other similar projects. All project proposals must be approved by the end of CLASSIC 192A. Six units of CLASSIC 198, CLASSIC 199, LATIN 198, or LATIN 199 may be substituted for CLASSIC 192A- CLASSIC 192B with prior approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor.
Emphasis in Classical Civilization
A. Select one of the following:
Fundamentals of Latin
and Fundamentals of Latin
and Fundamentals of Latin
Fundamentals of Greek
and Fundamentals of Greek
and Fundamentals of Greek
or equivalent
and select one of the following:
The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Early Greece
and The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Late Archaic and Classical Greece
and The Formation of Ancient Greek Society: Fourth-Century and Hellenistic Greece
The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Origins to Roman Republic
and The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: Roman Empire
and The Formation of Ancient Roman Society: The Fall of Rome
Classical Mythology: The Gods
and Classical Mythology: The Heroes
and Classical Mythology: Ancient and Modern Perspectives of Classical Mythology
B. Select five upper-division Classics courses.
C. Select two additional upper-division Classics courses. These courses may be in Classics, Greek, Latin, History, Art History, Philosophy, or other related field. Courses must focus on the ancient Mediterranean and if taken in another UCI department, must have the prior approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor.
D. Senior Capstone Requirement:
CLASSIC 192A-CLASSIC 192B (or equivalent) taken during the senior year. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students design and execute a senior project. Students may plan a project centering on an area of strong interest and may write a research paper, design a creative project, a primary or secondary school curriculum, or other similar projects. All project proposals must be approved by the end of CLASSIC 192A. Six units of CLASSIC 198 or CLASSIC 199 may be substituted for CLASSIC 192A-CLASSIC 192B with prior approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor.

Residence Requirement for the Major: At least five upper-division courses required for the major must be completed successfully at UCI.