Classics: Classical Languages, BALAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Classics, Classical Languages Concentration
Study of fascinating languages, literatures, and material cultures of ancient Greece and Rome provides a simultaneously broad and deep education in the liberal arts that is crucial for 21st century career paths, whatever your goals in life may be. A Classics major helps you to think critically, read attentively, argue persuasively, and understand compassionately. Classics majors are especially well prepared for careers in teaching, business, law, medicine, government, publishing, and more.
Whether you choose a major in our Classical Languages or our Classical Civilizations concentration, come study with us! You will encounter unforgettable texts like Homer’s Odyssey and Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the lyric poetry of Sappho and Catullus, powerful tragedies and delightful comedies, satires and epigrams, histories and oratory; you will learn about mythology and religion, gender and sexuality, everyday life in the ancient Mediterranean, and much more!
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Classics, Classical Languages Concentration
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60 - 75 hours). Please see your adviser.
Departmental distinction: Students seeking departmental distinction must have at least a 3.5 average in relevant courses and should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the earliest opportunity.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting coursework: Normally equates to 44 hours. Twelve (12) hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Students choose one of three tracks: Ancient Greek, Latin, or Ancient Greek & Latin
Ancient Greek Track
GRK 101, Elementary Greek I, is a prerequisite for subsequent GRK courses; does not count toward the 32 hours for the concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Greek Track | ||
| GRK 102 | Elementary Greek II | 4 |
| GRK 201 | Classical & Koine Greek I | 4 |
| GRK 202 | Classical & Koine Greek II | 4 |
| GRK 411 | Greek Prose Composition | 3 |
| CLCV 114 | Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture | 3 |
| 11 hours of Greek courses, at least 6 hours of which must be at the 300-400 level, from the following: | 11 | |
GRK 251 | ||
GRK 252 | ||
| Survey of Greek Literature | ||
GRK 403 | ||
GRK 404 | ||
| Readings in Greek Literature | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Independent Reading | ||
| One additional CLCV course (3 hours) | 3 | |
| Supporting coursework, a minor or a second major in an area of study chosen by the student and approved by the Department of Classics Director of Undergraduate Studies | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Latin Track
LAT 101,Elementary Latin I, is a prerequisite for subsequent LAT courses and does not count toward the 32 hours for the concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Latin Track | ||
| LAT 102 | Elementary Latin II | 4 |
| LAT 201 | Intermediate Latin | 4 |
| LAT 202 | Intro to Latin Literature | 4 |
| LAT 411 | Intermediate Prose Composition | 3 |
| CLCV 116 | Introduction to Ancient Roman Culture | 3 |
| 11 hours of latin courses, at least 6 hours of which must be at the 300-400 level, chosen from the following: | 11 | |
| Survey of Latin Literature | ||
| Medieval Latin | ||
| Readings in Latin Literature | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Independent Reading | ||
| One additional CLCV course | 3 | |
| Supporting coursework, a minor or a second major in an area of study chosen by the student and approved by the Department of the CLassics Director of Undergraduate Studies | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Ancient Greek & Latin Track
LAT 101, Elementary Latin I (a prerequisite for subsequent LAT courses) and GRK 101, Elementary Greek I (a prerequisite for subsequent GRK courses) and do not count toward the 32 hours for the concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Greek & Latin Track | ||
| GRK 102 | Elementary Greek II | 4 |
| GRK 201 | Classical & Koine Greek I | 4 |
| GRK 202 | Classical & Koine Greek II | 4 |
| LAT 102 | Elementary Latin II | 4 |
| LAT 201 | Intermediate Latin | 4 |
| LAT 202 | Intro to Latin Literature | 4 |
| GRK 411 | Greek Prose Composition | 3 |
| or LAT 411 | Intermediate Prose Composition | |
| Additional GRK or LAT coursework at 400-level | 2 | |
| One CLCV course | 3 | |
| Supporting coursework, a minor or a second major in an area of study chosen by the student and approved by the Department of the Classics Director of Undergraduate Studies | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 44 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Classics, Classical Languages Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective course | 1 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Language Other than English (1st level - prerequisite) | 4 | Language Other than English (2nd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 31 | |||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Language Other than English (4th level) | 4 |
| Track Coursework | 3 | Track coursework | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 32 | |||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Additional CLCV course | 3 | Supporting coursework | 3 |
| Supporting coursework | 3 | Track coursework | 3 |
| Track coursework | 4 | Track coursework | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 32 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 | Supporting coursework | 3 |
| Track coursework | 3 | Track coursework | 3 |
| Track coursework | 2 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 | ||
| 13 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 25 | |||
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Classics, Classical Languages Concentration
- Acquire and retain a detailed knowledge of Greek and Latin grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and modes of expression so as to be able to read literary and subliterary texts composed in Greek and Latin between roughly 800 BCE and 500 CE.
- Situate knowledge of the languages within the cultural contexts in which they were used in order to understand the crucial role of language in social dynamics and cross-cultural communication.
- Acquire facility with contemporary methods of literary and historical analysis sufficient to carry out original, self-directed research into cultures that made use of the Greek and Latin languages.
- Acquire critical awareness of the place of Greek and Latin in western literary history in order to appreciate the powerful role of tradition in interpreting the texts and events of the past.
- Acquire a detailed knowledge of the culture of Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, especially the broader historical, social, and cultural contexts and their development.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Classics, Classical Languages Concentration
Department of Classics
Classics faculty
classics@illinois.edu
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences