Classical Studies B.A.

Information and Policies

Introduction

Classical studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, combines features of traditional programs, such as solid grounding in the ancient languages, with innovative, interdisciplinary approaches. While the core of the program is focused on courses in the ancient Greek and Latin languages, the program also encompasses courses in history, the history of art and visual culture, literature, philosophy, politics, and theater arts, from the Bronze Age through the Early Christian era. Recent offerings have included everything from introductory surveys in classical mythology and Greek and Roman history, to advanced courses in women and gender in Ancient Egypt and modern ancient drama. Students are encouraged to study the literary and material artifacts of Greece and Rome within the larger context of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures.

The classical studies program provides the nurturing atmosphere and personal attention associated with a small liberal arts college, in the context of a large university. We offer students an opportunity to work in small classes with a distinguished and dedicated teaching faculty and excellent fellow students. Public lectures, guest speakers, and frequent social events bring students and faculty together and strengthen the program.

Classical studies students have the opportunity to give close, sustained attention to an area of study, from an almost unlimited variety of perspectives. For example, students with an interest in contemporary philosophy and political theory might want to concentrate in Greek, taking upper-division courses in Greek, history, philosophy, and politics. Students with an interest in European literature might want to concentrate in Latin, taking upper-division courses in Latin, history, and literature in translation. Students planning on pursuing a classics degree at the Ph.D. level should concentrate most of their coursework in the Greek and Latin languages themselves.

Classical studies is excellent preparation for further study in a wide variety of graduate and professional programs including history, art history, comparative literature, English, philosophy, law, education, and publishing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the classical studies major graduate with the following knowledge and skills:

Language

• Competence in one or more ancient languages. At present offerings include Greek and Latin (full curriculum offered yearly). Majors have also taken Biblical Hebrew and Hieroglyphics (offered less often).

Interdisciplinary Exposure

• Familiarity with one or more of the disciplinary approaches represented by the faculty in the program, as well as other relevant approaches in the division and the university. Courses at present credited for the major include (but are not limited to) offerings in: history, literature, philosophy, archaeology, art history, and theater arts. For the skills and outcomes fostered by these disciplines see the reports of the relevant departments.

Collaboration

• Provide constructive and effective critiques of each other’s work.
• Complete a shared research project.

Research, Critical Reading, Writing

• Gather and engage critically with primary sources.
• Evaluate competing interpretations and multiple narratives.
• Compile a bibliography.
• Present clear and compelling arguments, based on critical analysis of diverse historical sources, and effectively communicate your interpretations in written essays and/or other media.

Scope and Thematics

• Through completion of a combination of courses, become familiar with the ancient cultures of:
  • the western Mediterranean.
  • the eastern Mediterranean.
  • the Near East.
• Comparative study: whether of diverse ancient cultures or of ancient and later cultures
• Reception: ancient culture as understood by later traditions

Academic Advising for the Program

The Classical Studies program is administered by the Department of History. Students in this program receive advising support from the history undergraduate program coordinator.

Transfer students are encouraged to additionally consult the "Transfer Information and Policy" information included below.

Getting Started in the Major: Frosh

This is a moderately course-intensive and/or sequential program, and students who intend to pursue classical studies should begin taking classes for the major in their first or second year at UC Santa Cruz.

GREE 1 and LATN 1 are only offered in the fall quarter. Students seeking their degree in four years should complete the introductory sequence in elementary ancient Greek or Latin language no later than their second year.

Students with prior knowledge of ancient Greek or Latin are advised to consult with the classical studies faculty to determine if they have satisfied any of the elementary language course requirements.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.

Transfer students from California Community Colleges are encouraged to complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or UC Santa Cruz general education requirements in preparation for transfer to UC Santa Cruz.

Some background in history and in literary analysis and interpretation is desirable, but not essential. Since this is an interdisciplinary major, preparatory work in art history, history, literature, philosophy, or politics, depending on the student's interests, may also be useful.

Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students

Transfer students entering at the junior level can readily complete the classical studies major within two years, provided that they complete GREE 1 or LATN 1 during their first quarter of enrollment at UC Santa Cruz. These courses are only offered in the fall quarter.

Transfer students are strongly encouraged to meet with the history undergraduate program coordinator before their first quarter of enrollment at UCSC.

Students with prior knowledge of ancient Greek or Latin are advised to consult with the classical studies faculty to determine if they have satisfied any of the elementary language course requirements.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

Classical studies has no major qualification. Students should submit a petition to declare before or by their declaration deadline quarter.

While classical studies does not have an official qualification policy, it should be noted that the major requires the successful completion of upper-division coursework in ancient Greek and/or Latin language literature. Students who are unable to successfully complete the introductory sequence in elementary ancient Greek or Latin language (or equivalent) will not be able to advance to the upper-division coursework required for this major.

All students, including transfers, are eligible to pursue this major, even if they did not list classical studies on their UC Santa Cruz application.

Other Programs That May Be of Interest

Since classical studies is an interdisciplinary field of study, many of the courses in this major are offered by other UC Santa Cruz departments. Students with an interest in the ancient world who would prefer to take courses in English are encouraged to consider the following majors and programs: history, history of art and visual culture, literature, philosophy, and politics.

How to Declare a Major

Students are permitted to declare the classical studies major at any time but encouraged to do so only after they have successfully completed the lower-division sequence in elementary ancient Greek or Latin language (or equivalent):

1. Fill out a Classical Studies Major Planning Worksheet. Include classical studies courses you've completed, are currently taking, and plan on taking in the future.
2. Meet with the classical studies academic advising coordinator to review and discuss your proposed plan of study. Obtain their signature on your worksheet.
3. Submit your approved Classical Studies Major Planning Worksheet to the history undergraduate program coordinator for processing.

Letter Grade Policy

Students are allowed to complete up to two of their classical studies major or minor requirements for Pass/No Pass.

Study Abroad

We actively encourage our students to expand their horizons in interdisciplinary and international settings by taking advantage of the University of California Education Abroad Program (EAP). A quarter or year abroad may be seamlessly integrated into any classical studies student's academic plan; up to three of the major or minor elective requirements may be completed abroad.

Honors

All students who announce candidacy during the academic year are reviewed for honors or highest honors in the major. The classical studies faculty advisers determine honors based upon courses applied toward the classical studies major. Performance in courses taken elsewhere and being transferred toward the major will be considered when applicable. The minimum standard applied is excellence in most courses for honors, and excellence in all courses for highest honors. Summer, fall, and winter graduates will be reviewed at the end of each of their respective quarters. Spring graduates will be reviewed as of the spring announcement of candidacy deadline.

Requirements and Planners

Course Requirements

The classical studies major requires three lower-division courses (including two elementary language courses), nine upper-division courses, and an additional two-credit upper-division seminar, CLST 197F, which is taken in the same quarter that the senior comprehensive examination is given (see Comprehensive Requirement section below for more information). These must include the following:

Lower-Division Courses

The lower-division sequence in elementary ancient Greek or Latin language (or equivalent):

Classical Studies Survey

One lower-division survey of ancient history or literature in translation:

Upper-Division Courses

Three upper-division courses in Greek (LIT 184A-LIT 184Z) and/or Latin literature (LIT 186A-LIT 186Z):

Electives

Six additional classical studies upper-division courses:

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in classical studies is satisfied by completing two upper-division courses in Greek literature or Latin literature from the following list:

Greek Literature:

Latin Literature:

Comprehensive Requirement

Classical studies majors are required to pass a senior comprehensive examination. Each student shall identify a minimum of two classical studies faculty members to serve on the examination committee, one of which shall be designated as the committee chair. Please consult the classical studies website for a more detailed description of this requirement.

Enrollment in a 2-credit comprehensive examination preparatory course, CLST 197F, is required in the same quarter that the senior comprehensive examination will be given. The preparatory course will be taken with the chair of the student’s examination committee.

Planners

The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.

Sample Four-Year Plan

In addition to the specific courses shown above, a student must complete courses satisfying all of UC Santa Cruz's general education requirements. Individual student plans will vary, and some general education requirements may be satisfied within the classical studies major requirements depending on each student's individual course selection.

Sample Transfer Plan

This planner assumes that a student has completed most of their general education requirements before coming to UC Santa Cruz. Students from California community colleges are advised to complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) in preparation for transfer to UC Santa Cruz.