Classical Studies Major

Dual Majors

Students with a dual major including classical studies must complete at least eight courses, including proficiency (through third college semester) in either classical Greek or Latin, distributed as indicated below. At least three of the eight courses must be taken at CMC.

1. Core courses: four courses:
   One course in each of the following four disciplines:
   
   • Government
   • History
   • Literature, and
   • Philosophy or Religious Studies

Students select courses for the core requirement in consultation with a CMC major advisor. Each semester a number of off-campus courses may be selected; a list of CMC courses approved as core courses  may be found below.

2. Language Study (one to three courses):
   Majors must complete at least the equivalent of three college-level courses in classical Greek or Latin. Students who have studied a classical language in high school and are placed in a second or third semester Greek or Latin language course take more elective courses for the major.
3. Capstone course (one course):
   All majors must complete a capstone course at CMC. Each year the Advisory Committee will designate the course or courses that may be used to meet this requirement.
4. Electives (up to two courses):
   In consultation with their major advisor, students select elective courses to complete their major. The number of elective courses required can vary depending upon the number of language courses students have to complete.

Students with a dual major including classical studies are encouraged to write their senior thesis on a topic in classical studies. For further information, see Senior Thesis in Classical Studies above.

Honors in Classical Studies

Students interested in receiving honors in classical studies are encouraged to contact the faculty chair at the beginning of the senior year. To be eligible for honors, students must have a 10.50 average for all courses taken in the major, and complete a one- or two-semester thesis in Classical studies, with a CMC faculty member as first or second reader (see Senior Thesis in Classical Studies above), and receive grades of “B+” (10.00) or better for the thesis course(s).

Students with a dual major including classical studies who wish to be considered for honors in Classical studies are eligible if they:

• Have completed all requirements for a full major in classical studies and are granted honors, or
• Qualify and receive honors in both disciplines of their dual major. See Academic Honors at Graduation  for details.

Learning Goals

The main goals of the Classical Studies major are:

1. To provide students with a basic knowledge of Classical civilizations within the Mediterranean context.
2. To provide students with knowledge of achievements of classical civilization both for their own value and for their importance as roots of modern civilization.
3. To provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of classical civilizations.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes of the Classical Studies program are:

1. Students will demonstrate language proficiency at the intermediate level.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of historical/cultural contexts including the ability to reproduce in broad outline the main periods of classical history, along with significant events from each period.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to carry out a research project based on close study of classical and other materials that utilizes research methods and resources in the field.