Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (BA)
The major in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies allows students to pursue an interest in the Greek, Latin, and Ancient Hebrew/the Biblical world. Students may choose to pursue a traditional, language-oriented (Greek or Latin) concentration in Classics or a concentration in Ancient Mediterranean Studies. Students who concentrate in Classics may take courses in Ancient Mediterranean Studies in addition to their language and literature requirements. Those who concentrate in Ancient Mediterranean Studies may also pursue some relevant language study (Greek, Latin, or Biblical Hebrew). Either concentration will lead to a major in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies.
A minor in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies is described in the “Minors” section.
Location
- Storrs Campus
Modality
- In Person
Requirements
Concentration in Classics
Students must complete a minimum of eight courses from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Greek and/or Latin | ||
| Select at least two courses involving reading in Greek and/or Latin from the following: | 6 | |
| Topics in Advanced Greek 1 | ||
| Topics in Advanced Latin 1 | ||
| Medieval Latin | ||
| Foreign Study 2 | ||
| Special Topics 2 | ||
| Variable Topics 2 | ||
| Independent Study 2 | ||
| Senior Thesis in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies 4 | ||
| Classical Literature in English Translation | ||
| Select at least one writing course on Classical literature in English translation: | ||
| CAMS 3241W | Greek and Roman Epic | 3 |
| or CAMS 3242W | Greek and Roman Drama | |
| Ancient World | ||
| Select at least two other courses dealing with the ancient world from the following: 3 | 6 | |
| Pyramids, Pirates, and the Polis: The Ancient Mediterranean | ||
| Greek Philosophical Writings | ||
| Homer | ||
| Greek Historical Writings | ||
| Ovid and Mythology | ||
| Ancient Fictions | ||
| Ancient Mediterranean World in Cinema | ||
| Greek Art | ||
| Ancient Greek Philosophy | ||
| Foreign Study 2 | ||
| Special Topics 2 | ||
| Variable Topics 2 | ||
| Independent Study 2 | ||
| Ancient Near East | ||
| Ancient Greece: Troy to Sparta | ||
| Hellenistic World: Alexander to Cleopatra | ||
| Ancient Rome: Aeneas to Augustus | ||
| Ancient Rome: Emperors and Barbarians | ||
| Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans | ||
| The Early Christian Church | ||
| World of the Later Roman Empire | ||
| Senior Thesis in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies | ||
| Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible | ||
| The Bible, the Holy Land, and History | ||
- 1
Topics courses, which may be retaken for credit with a change in subject matter.
- 2
May count toward major only with consent of advisor.
- 3
These may be cross-listed under Art History, History, Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and Philosophy.
- 4
CAMS 4096W Senior Thesis in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies may be approved by the major advisor for the Greek and/or Latin category if reading Greek, Latin or Biblical Hebrew sources in the original language is a major component of the thesis.
To satisfy the writing in the major and information literacy competencies, all students must take CAMS 3241W Greek and Roman Epic or CAMS 3242W Greek and Roman Drama.
Concentration in Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Students must complete a minimum of eight courses from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Literature in English Translation | ||
| Select at least one writing course: | ||
| CAMS 3241W | Greek and Roman Epic | 3 |
| or CAMS 3242W | Greek and Roman Drama | |
| Ancient World | ||
| Select at least six other courses dealing with the ancient world from the following: 1 | 18 | |
| Pyramids, Pirates, and the Polis: The Ancient Mediterranean | ||
| Topics in Advanced Greek 2 | ||
| Topics in Advanced Latin 2 | ||
| Greek Philosophical Writings | ||
| Homer | ||
| Greek Historical Writings | ||
| Ovid and Mythology | ||
| Medieval Latin | ||
| Ancient Fictions | ||
| Ancient Mediterranean World in Cinema | ||
| Greek Art | ||
| Ancient Greek Philosophy | ||
| Foreign Study 3 | ||
| Special Topics 3 | ||
| Variable Topics 3 | ||
| Independent Study 3 | ||
| Ancient Near East | ||
| Ancient Greece: Troy to Sparta | ||
| Hellenistic World: Alexander to Cleopatra | ||
| Ancient Rome: Aeneas to Augustus | ||
| Ancient Rome: Emperors and Barbarians | ||
| Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans | ||
| The Early Christian Church | ||
| World of the Later Roman Empire | ||
| Senior Thesis in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies | ||
| Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible | ||
| The Bible, the Holy Land, and History | ||
- 1
These may be cross-listed under Art History, History, Judaic Studies, and Philosophy.
- 2
Topics courses, which may be retaken for credit with a change in subject matter.
- 3
May count toward major only with consent of advisor.
To satisfy the writing in the major and information literacy competencies, all students must take CAMS 3241W Greek and Roman Epic or CAMS 3242W Greek and Roman Drama.
University Common Curriculum Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see Common Curriculum Requirements.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's Common Curriculum requirements. For more information, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
Learning Objectives
- Read extensive portions of any ancient Latin or Greek text with a dictionary, consulting commentaries as needed. (Classics Concentration)
- Identify several genres of Latin and Greek literature, both prose and poetry, (e.g. epic, tragic and comic drama, lyric poetry, oratory, history, philosophy).
- Analyze key works of Greek and Latin literature in a culturally-contextualized way.
- Identify a range of religious practices and beliefs (including Greek and Roman polytheism, ancient Judaism, and early Christianity) across the ancient world and locate them within their cultural context.
- Describe the multi-cultural and interconnected nature of the ancient Mediterranean world and to identify the major cultures with whom Greeks and Romans interacted over time.
- Carry out independent research projects in the field(s) of classics and ancient history.
- Identify and utilize the resources needed to gain deeper understanding of the texts they read, including (Classics Concentration) learned commentaries and scholarly articles as well as commentaries designed to support less proficient students.