Program of Study

Left: Students explore the city of Pompeii.  Right: Looking at Latin inscriptions in the city.

The Classics Department offers courses that cover every aspect of the Graeco-Roman world. Students may pursue a concentration in Latin, Greek, or Classical Studies. Concentrators in Latin and/or Greek make language and literature their main focus. They thus have the opportunity to master the languages of two societies that contributed significantly to the formation of the western tradition. Concentrators in Classical Studies give less emphasis to the languages but acquire a broad understanding of different aspects of the ancient world. Perhaps more than most subjects in the curriculum, the study of the Classics is truly interdisciplinary, combining the study of language and literature with history, art, archaeology, religion, politics, philosophy, and new disciplines such as anthropology. Most course offerings engage students in a variety of approaches to the ancient world. In addition, a number of courses offered by the department — such as Greek Art, Classical Mythology, Women in Greek and Roman Antiquity, The Tragic and Comic Muse, and Greek Religion — provide a valuable introduction to other courses across the curriculum. Students develop their ability to think critically and to articulate their ideas effectively while learning to examine and reflect upon culture and society from a variety of perspectives. Recent graduates from the Department of the Classics at Colgate are pursuing careers in law, medicine, advertising, computer science, and education. Many, too, go on to do graduate work in the Classics.

CLAS 221, 222, 223, 224, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, and 237 require no knowledge of Greek or Latin language. These courses are open to all students, but are subject to limitations in enrollment set by the instructor.

Concentration Programs in the Classics

There are four possible concentrations in the Classics: Greek, Latin, Classics, and Classical Studies. All concentrations require a minimum of eight courses within the department but vary in the amount and level of language study required. The specific requirements are:

1. For a Greek or Latin concentration, eight courses in Greek or Latin, with at least four courses at the 300 level or higher.

2. For a Classics concentration, eight courses in Greek and Latin, all at the 300 level or higher. To demonstrate proficiency in both languages, students must take at least two 300-level courses in each language.

Students pursuing a Greek, Latin, or Classics concentration are strongly encouraged to elect more than the required minimum of eight courses and to broaden their study of the languages with appropriate courses inside and outside the department. In addition to the department’s own offerings in classical art and archaeology, history, mythology, religion, women in antiquity, and literature, students, in consultation with their advisor, should consider appropriate courses in the Departments of English, Philosophy and Religion, History, Art and Art History, and other language departments. Students interested in pursuing graduate study in the Classics are urged to acquire reading knowledge of either French or German before graduation.

3. For a Classical Studies concentration, four courses in either Latin or Greek, including either LATN 202 or GREK 202, and four additional courses in the area of the classics, inside or outside the department, with departmental approval. These normally include courses in literature, art, archaeology, mythology, history, or philosophy.

Minor Concentration Program

A minor concentration in the classics consists of four courses in Greek or Latin and two other courses in the classics department, with department approval. Such courses include literature, art, mythology, history, or philosophy.

Honors and High Honors

The minimum GPA required for honors in the classics is 3.5 overall, for high honors 3.8; in addition, successful completion of an honors thesis and of an oral examination are required. Honors candidates usually take GREK or LATN 490 in the last term and receive course credit for their theses.

Awards

The Newton Lloyd Andrews Prize — established in 1926 by Charlotte H. Andrews in memory of her husband, Newton Lloyd Andrews, a member of the class of 1862, for the best papers at the annual examination(s) in Greek architecture, Greek sculpture, Gothic architecture, or Renaissance painting.

The J. Curtiss Austin Latin Prize — established in 1961 by former students of Dr. J. Curtiss Austin as a memorial to his 40 years on the Colgate faculty, and awarded by the Department of the Classics to the student whose performance in Latin has been the most outstanding.

The Award for Excellence —awarded annually to that first-year or sophomore student who shows the best promise in a course in Latin or Greek and who achieves the best record among his/her peers in Latin or Greek.

The Baldwin Greek Prize — established for the sophomore class by D.P. Baldwin, LL.D., class of 1856, for the examination in writing upon some author, or work of an author, read by the class. No student may compete unless his/her standing in all departments averages at least B (3.0). The award is made by a committee not associated with the university.

Advanced Placement

To evaluate a student’s qualifications for advanced placement, the department requires the submission of an Advanced Placement Examination in Greek or Latin. Such examinations should have a grade of 1 or better.

Transfer credit for concentration is granted for courses comparable to those required for the classics concentration at Colgate on an individual basis. Evidence of course content may be required.

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