Major and Minor

Major in Classics

Undergraduate Advisor: Professor D. Mark Possanza

Classics is an interdisciplinary program devoted to the study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Students may focus on the Classics Language track or the Classical Civilization track. Besides the sequences in the Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit languages, the Department offers courses in Greek and Roman archaeology, history, linguistics, literature (including comparative literature), mythology, philosophy, and social history. 

The Classics Language track involves the study of texts in the ancient languages, while the Classical Civilization track makes use of these same texts in English translations. Both Classics tracks qualify graduates for appropriate careers in teaching and library work but can also be used as preparation for non-classical academic and professional disciplines such as business, law, and medicine. Students have combined a major in classics with a second major or certificate such as anthropology, biology, communication, computer science, history, history of art and architecture, history and philosophy of science, nonclassical languages and literatures, psychology, and women's studies.

Students planning graduate study in classics may be required to obtain reading competency in German, French, or Italian. Such study might begin during the course of completing the undergraduate major or may be undertaken in graduate school.

Major Requirements

The general rules and requirements for the Classics major, regardless of the track chosen, are as follows:

• The Classics major requires a minimum of 30 credits with an overall 2.00 QPA in courses counting toward the major. A maximum of two courses may be taken toward the major under the S/N option.

• Except for placement by examination in the language sequences, credit by examination is generally not granted, but the department will consider students with special circumstances. 

• All majors, regardless of track, must complete a "writing intensive" (WRIT) course in Classics. This requirement is most easily satisfied with one of the WRIT-designated courses currently offered by the Classics department, including Antiquity Now (CLASS 1170), Think Like a Roman (CLASS 1640), and Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean (CLASS 1650).

• For the "related area" required by the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, the classics department recommends other departments' courses in ancient Greek and Roman archaeology and art, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, religion, and science.

The Classics Language Track

Since advanced knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin remain essential to graduate admissions and professional success in the discipline, the Languages Track is most often recommended to students interested in pursuing graduate study in classics. Thirty credits in language courses (i.e. with GREEK or LATIN subject codes) are required. Students may emphasize one language if they wish, or distribute their coursework evenly between the two languages. Regardless, these thirty credits must include the following:

1. At least six credits in Greek or Latin courses beyond the fourth semester. The first four semesters of ancient Greek and Latin introduce students to the grammar and vocabulary of the ancient languages and give students their first experiences in reading prose (fall) and verse (spring). Majors are required to take at least two courses (or the equivalent) beyond the intermediate level. These courses have numbers in the 1000s, such as Advanced Readings in Greek Drama (GREEK 1402).
2. A course in Prose Composition. Language majors must take either Greek Prose Composition (GREEK 1700) or Latin Prose Composition (LATIN 1700).
3. Two semesters of a second ancient language. Classical Language majors may emphasize one language more than the other if they wish, but every student is required to take at least two semesters of Greek and at least two semesters of Latin. A student with advanced knowledge of Latin, who has taken Latin Prose Composition, must still take two semesters of ancient Greek at any level (e.g., Beginning Ancient Greek 1 and Beginning Ancient Greek 2); and conversely, a student pursuing advanced study in ancient Greek must still take at least two semesters of Latin at any level.

Sample Classical Languages Major

The Classical Civilization Track

This track has five requirements, which may be satisfied by courses offered in, or cross-listed with, the Department of Classics. Those components are:

1. Two survey courses in Greek and Roman history or civilization. The Classics Faculty regularly offer four courses that satisfy this requirements. Students are asked to take either Greek Civilization (CLASS 0010) or Greek History (CLASS 1210) AND either Roman Civilization (CLASS 0020) or Roman History (CLASS 1220).

2. Two semesters of Greek or Latin. Any two courses with GREEK or LATIN subject codes will satisfy this requirement. For instance, Beginning Ancient Greek 1 (GREEK 0101) and Beginning Ancient Greek 2 (GREEK 0102).

3. Three courses in an approved area of concentration (AOC). A student's area of concentration is chosen in consultation with the Undergraduate Advisor and depends on a student's interests and plans for after graduation. Popular areas of concentration in Classics include: myth and culture, language and literature, classical philosophy, ancient history, art and archaeology, ancient religion. The Classics Faculty regularly offers courses in these areas, making it simple for students to choose courses that meet their interests and program needs. Taking three semesters of Greek or Latin beyond the required second semester (see requirement #1, above) will also satisfy this requirement.

4. Three interdisciplinary electives outside the chosen area of concentration. Students must take one course from each of three different areas outside of their AOC, chosen from myth and culture, language and literature, classical philosophy, ancient history, art and archaeology, ancient religion. For instance, a major with a concentration in art and archaeology must take three courses in three different areas outside of art and archaeology: a literature course, a philosophy course, and a religion course, for example. Students may count a third course in Greek or Latin beyond the required second semester (see above) toward this requirement.

5. A Writing Intensive (WRIT) course in Classics. This requirement is most easily satisfied with one of the WRIT-designated courses currently offered by the Classics department, including Antiquity Now (CLASS 1170), Think Like a Roman (CLASS 1640), and Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean (CLASS 1650).

Sample Classical Civlization Major

Majors who have reached the end of the junior year with a QPA in departmental courses of 3.50 or higher may, in conjunction with a senior-level course, write an honors essay. Acceptance of the essay by the department will qualify the student for graduating with departmental honors. No thesis or capstone is currently required for the Classics major.

Undergraduate Studies Web site’s Majors, Minors, and Certificates landing page: https://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/academic-experience/majors-minors-and-certificates

Minor in Classics

The Department of Classics offers four minors: Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilization and Mediterranean Art and Archaeology. 

Latin Minor

The student must take at least 15 credits of LATIN courses to satisfy the requirements of the Latin minor. For example, Beginning Latin 1 and 2 (LATIN 0101 and 0102), Intermediate Latin Prose (LATIN 0210), and Intermediate Latin Verse (LATIN 0220), and one course beyond the intermediate level.

Sample Latin Minor

Ancient Greek Minor

The student must take at least 15 credits of GREEK courses to satisfy the requirements of the Greek minor. For example, Beginning Ancient Greek 1 and 2 (GREEK 0101 and 0102,), Intermediate Greek Prose (GREEK 0210), and Intermediate Greek Verse (GREEK 0220), and one course beyond the intermediate level.

Sample Greek Minor

Classical Civilization Minor

15 credits in Classics, Greek, or Latin courses, including at least one survey course in Greek civilization or history (3 credits), one survey course in Roman civilization or history (3 credits), and one course with a literary or textual component (3 credits), and one course in any other subfield of Classics, such as art, architecture, archaeology or philosophy (3 credits). Any Greek or Latin course may count toward the literary/textual requirement.

For the Classical Civilization minor, no language courses are required, although language courses may be counted, if the student wishes.

Sample Classical Civlization Minor

Mediterranean Art and Archaeology Minor

15 credits are required to complete the Mediterranean Art and Archaeology Minor. Of these, 12 credits are required courses, with the remainder being chosen from a list of electives in Classics, HAA, Anthropology, and Religious Studies.

For advice on possible plans of study, please consult with undergraduate advisor, Professor D. Mark Possanza.