Classical Studies

Classical Studies is an interdisciplinary major, with tracks in ancient language, classical civilization and teacher certification that brings students the history, literature and culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. These three tracks require proficiency in Latin or ancient Greek. A fourth track in modern Greek brings students the language, literature and culture of modern Greece, and requires proficiency in modern Greek.

Overview

Students who major in classical studies often pursue graduate studies in classical languages and literature, art history, ancient history, archaeology, comparative literature and museum studies. Additional career opportunities may be possible depending upon the track the student chooses. Small class sizes, emphasis on critical thinking and expression and a faculty committed to involvement in lower-level undergraduate courses also make this major appealing to students who want excellent preparation for entry to professional schools (e.g., medicine or law).

Concentrations/Specializations

There are four specializations in the classical studies major:

• Ancient Language
  The ancient language track is appropriate for students wishing to have direct contact with the literature and culture of the ancients, and for those who plan to do graduate study in Greek or Latin. Students interested in admission to competitive graduate programs need a minimum of three years of upper-division courses in ancient Greek or Latin and an additional year in the remaining language.
• Classical Civilization
  The classical civilization track is appropriate for those who desire a broad humanities background or are considering admission to graduate school in archaeology, ancient history, or an unrelated field such as medicine or law. Students interested in admission to competitive graduate programs in archaeology or ancient history should consult the Department of Classics' undergraduate coordinator for further information on specific requirements in these specialized areas.
• Modern Greek
  The modern Greek track is appropriate for students wishing to have direct contact with the language, literature, and culture of modern Greece, and also a closer acquaintance with ancient and medieval Greek civilization. This track allows students to study in greater detail the numerous communities of the diaspora, which includes the large and flourishing Greek-American communities of Florida, their history and contemporary culture. By learning a modern European language, students will have the opportunity to work in translation, education, services, tourism, the entertainment industry, and political or financial institutions that have ties with Greece or Cyprus.
• Teacher Certification
  Students desiring to be high-school Latin teachers should follow the teacher certification track. Students who pursue the Florida Teaching minor have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate. Alternatively, students can consider a minor in Educational Studies that would be beneficial if applying to the ProTeach program. Students should consult the College of Education for more information regarding these options.

Coursework for the Major

Students must complete 21-30 credit hours of coursework for the classical studies major; the total will be dependent upon the track the student chooses to pursue. The coursework requirements for each track are specified after the critical tracking section below. Students must earn at least a C or better in a course for it to be applied to the major; no S/U courses may be applied to the major. The Department of Classics requires that a minimum of 15 credit hours of major-related courses be completed at the University of Florida.

All classical studies majors are also required to demonstrate proficiency in Latin, ancient Greek, or modern Greek, depending on the track the student chooses to pursue. The credits earned in the language courses are not included in the 21-30 credit hours of coursework that count for the classical studies major.

Overseas Studies

Placement

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2:

• Complete 1 Latin *, Ancient Greek *, Modern Greek * or classics course

Semester 3:

• Maintain 1 course completed

Semester 4:

• Complete 1 additional Latin *, Ancient Greek *, Modern Greek * or classics course with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5:

• Complete 2 additional Latin *, Ancient Greek *, Modern Greek * or classics courses with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

* Students should select the language taken based on the major track they choose to pursue.

Specialization: Ancient Language
Specialization: Classical Civilization
Specialization: Modern Greek
Specialization: Teacher Certification

Ancient Language

Required Coursework

1. 10 credit hours of beginning Latin (either LAT 1120, 1121, 1104; or LAT 1130, 1131) or 8-10 credit hours of ancient Greek (either GRE 1120, 1121; or
   GRE 1130, 1131). Students with high school Latin complete the sequence based upon their score on the SAT II Latin test (or other placement mechanism).
2. A score of 3 or above in one of the AP Latin exams (Latin Literature or Vergil).
3. Completion of LNW 2630 (Latin Love Poetry) or LNW 2660 (Vergil) or a 2000-level ancient Greek course.
4. A 3000-level course in the original Latin or Greek literature.

In addition to demonstrating proficiency in Latin or ancient Greek, students must complete a total of 21 hours of coursework for the major:

• Two courses on the ancient Graeco-Roman world (in English translation) from the Department of Classics or from approved courses in the following departments: Anthropology, Art, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion. At least one course must be at the 3000 level or above.
• Five courses at the 3000 level or above in Latin or Greek or a combination of Greek and Latin. Students who complete the language requirement using a 3000-level course in Latin or Greek literature need only four Latin or Greek courses at the 3000 level or above.
• Students planning to go to graduate school in classical languages and literature will need more credit hours in ancient languages.

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

* Students with prior Greek or Latin and an SAT II Latin score of 540 or higher, a 3 or higher on the AP Latin exam or a 4 or higher on the IB exam will begin with more advanced courses.

Classical Civilization

Required Coursework

Students in this track must demonstrate proficiency in Latin or ancient Greek through one of these options:

• 10 credit hours of beginning Latin (either LAT 1120, 1121, 1104; or LAT 1130, 1131) or 8-10 credit hours of ancient Greek (either GRE 1120, 1121; or
  GRE 1130, 1131). Students with high school Latin complete the sequence based upon their score on the SAT II Latin test (or other placement mechanism).
• A score of 3 or above in one of the AP Latin exams (Latin Literature or Vergil).
• Completion of LNW 2630 (Latin Love Poetry) or LNW 2660 (Vergil) or a 2000-level ancient Greek course.
• A 3000-level course in the original Latin or Greek literature. 

In addition to demonstrating proficiency in Latin or ancient Greek, students must complete a total of 24 credit hours of coursework for the major:

• 24 credit hours of coursework covering the ancient Graeco-Roman world (in English translation) from the Department of Classics or from approved courses in the following departments: Anthropology, Art, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion.
• At least 18 credit hours must be at the 3000 level or above.
• Modern Greek may be taken for the six credit hours at the 1000/2000 level.

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

* Students with prior Greek or Latin and an SAT II Latin score of 540 or higher, a 3 or higher on the AP Latin exam or a 4 or higher on the IB exam will begin with more advanced courses.

Modern Greek

Required Coursework

Students in the modern Greek track are required to demonstrate proficiency in modern Greek by completing the beginning sequence of modern Greek (10 credit hours: GRK 1130 and 1131) or (with departmental approval) the intermediate modern Greek Sequence (3-6 credits).

In addition to demonstrating proficiency in modern Greek, students must complete a total of 24 hours of coursework for the major:

• GRK 2200 Intermediate Modern Greek.
• Two courses at the 3000 level on the modern, medieval, or ancient Greek world from the Department of Classics or from approved courses in: Anthropology, Art, European Studies, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, or Women’s Studies.
• Five courses in modern Greek, Byzantine Greek, ancient Greek or Latin at 3000 level or above, of which at least two must be in modern Greek.

Study-abroad programs are recommended and supported with scholarships for the cultivation of greater fluency in modern Greek.

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

* At least two of these courses must be in modern Greek.

Teacher Certification

Required Coursework

Students in this track must demonstrate proficiency in Latin by fulfilling one of these options:

• 10 credit hours of beginning Latin (either LAT 1120, 1121, 1104; or LAT 1130, 1131). Students with high school Latin complete the sequence based upon their score on the SAT II Latin test (or other placement mechanism).
• A score of 3 or above in one of the AP Latin exams (Latin Literature or Vergil).
• Completion of LNW 2630 (Latin Love Poetry) or LNW 2660 (Vergil).
• A 3000-level course in the original Latin literature.

In addition to demonstrating proficiency in Latin, students will have to complete a total of 30 hours of coursework for the major:

• 24 credit hours of advanced Latin, including:
• Nine credit hours in Latin vocabulary, grammar and composition
• 15 credit hours in Latin literature (not in translation)
• Two courses on the ancient Roman world (not in English translation) from the Department of Classics or from the following departments: Anthropology, Art, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion. At least one of these must be at the 3000 level or above.
• Those planning to earn a Florida Latin teaching certificate need to make certain which courses dealing with Rome are appropriate for this option.

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

*Students with prior Greek or Latin and an SAT II Latin score of 540 or higher, a 3 or higher on the AP Latin exam or a 4 or higher on the IB exam will begin with more advanced courses.