Classical Civilization
Degree: B.A., Classics
Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
Classics focuses on the study of the languages, literatures, and civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. Since many of the ideas and principles which emerged in the classical world are basic to Western culture, courses in Classics apply to the study of almost all the liberal arts and sciences.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics may choose among four concentrations: Latin (see Latin); an interdisciplinary concentration in Classical Civilization; an interdisciplinary concentration in Classical Archaeology; or an interdisciplinary concentration in Classics: Ancient Mediterranean Studies. The concentration in Classical Civilization focuses on the Greek and Latin languages and literatures, the world of the Greeks and Romans, the classical tradition (the continued use or influence of classical thought and art), and classical reception (the interpretation of classical thought by later societies). Students develop their major programs in consultation with a faculty advisor.
While some Classics majors who choose a concentration in Classical Civilization include teacher licensure in their schedule, others take a second major in a related field, such as history, philosophy, religious studies, English, business, computer science, art and art history, or modern languages. Graduates with degrees in Classics go on to have successful careers in law, government, non-profits, fine arts, museum work, education, archaeology, knowledge creation and curation (libraries, think-tanks, publishing and archives), business, financial services, and the computer/tech industry.
Opportunities for study and excavation abroad are readily available to the Classics major. Mary Washington is a member of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, the American Academy in Rome, and the American School of Classical Studies in Athens. Students are welcome to consult with the Classics faculty about programs at these and other institutions. Qualified students are invited to join Eta Sigma Phi, the national honor society for Classics, and to try for departmental honors in their senior year.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLAS 103 | Ideas and Culture: Greek Civilization | 3 |
| CLAS 105 | Ideas and Culture: Roman Civilization | 3 |
| CLAS 285 | Greek and Latin Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Intermediate Greek | ||
or LATN 201 | Intermediate Latin | |
or any GREK or LATN course at 202 level or above | ||
| And twenty-one (21) credits of any CLAS course or from approved courses below (at least 6 credits at the level of 299 or above) | 21 | |
| Greek and Roman Mythology in Art and Literature | ||
| Ancient Tragedy | ||
| Epic Traditions | ||
| Greek and Roman Religion | ||
| Democracy and Revolution in Ancient Athens | ||
| Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archaeology | ||
| Women in Antiquity | ||
| Myth in Theory, Film, and Culture | ||
| Ancient Slavery and Its Legacy | ||
| Special Studies in Classical Civilization | ||
| Special Studies in Classical Civilization | ||
| Archaeology of the Greek and Roman World | ||
| The Ancient Mediterranean | ||
| The Ancient City | ||
| Guided Research | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Approved courses relating to classical civilization include courses in Greek or Latin and the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| At least 6 of the 33 credits (in Classics and approved courses) must be at the level of 299 or above. | ||
| ARTH 114A | History of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARTH 305 | Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTH 310 | Greek Art | 3 |
| ARTH 311 | Roman Art | 3 |
| CPRD 100 | Topics in Classics, Philosophy, and Religion 1 | 1-3 |
| CPRD 299 | Mysterium Humanum Studies 1 | 3 |
| CPRD 301 | Studies in Ancient Languages 1 | 3 |
| CPRD 302 | Studies in Ancient Languages 1 | 3 |
| CPRD 331 | Cross-disciplinary Topics in Classics, Philosophy, and Religion 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 319 | Shakespeare: The Early Plays | 3 |
| ENGL 320 | Shakespeare:Later Plays | 3 |
| HIST 331A | History of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| HIST 332 | History of Ancient Rome | 3 |
| ITAL 395 | Italian Literature in Translation: Dante’s Divine Comedy | 3 |
| ITAL 396 | Italian Literature in Translation: Masterpieces of the Renaissance | 3 |
| LING 101B | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LING 309 | Introduction to Phonology | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Ancient Greek Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 310 | Plato | 3 |
| RELG 206A | Christian Beginnings | 3 |
| RELG 208 | Christianity After the New Testament | 3 |
| RELG 211 | Greek and Roman Religion | 3 |
| RELG 231 | Special Studies in Religion 1 | 1-3 |
| RELG 331 | Special Studies in Religion 1 | 3 |
| RELG 341 | Major Religious Thinkers 1 | 3 |
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With Permission.
General Education Requirements
The general education requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degrees apply to all students who are seeking to earn an undergraduate B.A., B.S. or B.S.Ed. degree.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree have a separate set of BLS general education requirements.
Electives
Elective courses are those that are not needed to fulfill a general education requirement or major program requirement but are chosen by the student to complete the 120 credits required for graduation with a B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. degree or the BLS degree. These courses may be taken graded or pass/fail (or S/U in the case of physical education and 100-level dance). No student in a regular B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. program may count more than 60 credits in a single discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.
Total Credits Required for the Degree: 120 credits
Classics, Philosophy, and Religion Department
Joseph M. Romero, Chair
Liane R. Houghtalin, Career Advisor (Classics)
Jason P. Matzke, Career and Pre-Law Advisor (Philosophy)
Mary Beth Mathews, Career Advisor (Religion)
Faculty
(The person’s subject field is indicated in parentheses.)
Professors
Liane R. Houghtalin (Classics)
Mary Beth Mathews (Religion)
Jason P. Matzke (Philosophy)
Angela L. Pitts (Classics)
Joseph M. Romero (Classics)
Associate Professor
Jennifer A. Barry (Religion)
Assistant Professor
Kalpesh Bhatt (Religion)
Senior Lecturer
Michael J. Reno (Philosophy)