Classical Studies Major

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Major Requirements

The major in classical studies requires ten courses, including reading knowledge (through fourth college semester) in either classical Greek or Latin, distributed as indicated below. At least four of the ten courses must be taken at CMC.

Core courses (four courses):
One course from four of the five following disciplines:
- Government
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
- 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.

Language Study (one to four courses):
Majors must complete at least the equivalent of four 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 (see below).
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.
Electives (one to four courses):
In consultation with their major advisor, students select elective courses as appropriate to complete their major. The number of elective courses required can vary depending upon the number of language courses students have to complete.

Senior Thesis in Classical Studies

The senior thesis is a general education requirement and the capstone experience of a student’s undergraduate education. Students must complete a senior thesis in at least one of their majors under supervision of a faculty reader who teaches within that major, unless granted a special exception.

Students interested in a two-semester thesis project complete a one-half credit or full credit thesis research course in the first semester and the senior thesis in the second semester. The senior thesis and the thesis research course may not be counted as courses in the major.

Special Option for Majors

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.

Core courses (four courses):
One course in four of the five following disciplines:
- Government
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies

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.
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.
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.

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 and Student Learning Outcomes of the Classical Studies Program

Learning Goals

The main goals of the Classical Studies major are:

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

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes of the Classical Studies program are:

Students will demonstrate language proficiency at the intermediate level.
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.
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.

General Education Requirements for Classical Studies Majors

Students with interdisciplinary majors requiring courses in the humanities and/or social sciences are required to take designated courses in six different fields of the humanities and social sciences for the general education requirements. Classical studies majors usually take courses in three of the four fields of the humanities (literature, philosophy, religious studies and government, history, and psychology). Classical studies majors with a dual or double major in a second field of the humanities or social sciences will usually be required to take an additional course. For further information, see Academic Policies & Procedures .

Classical studies majors may use the third college-level course in a classical language for the general education requirement in foreign language.

Study Abroad

All classical studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester or a year in a country related to their major. Normally two courses taken during a semester abroad may be counted towards the major. Additionally, CMC maintains an institutional membership with the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, which allows students to further their study of ancient history, archaeology, Greek and Latin literature, Italian language and ancient art, while living in residence at Rome. The ICCS has provided students with opportunities to study abroad in Rome since 1965. Contact the Office of Off-Campus Study for more information.