Classics: Classical Languages, BALAS | 2026-2027 Course Catalog

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Classics, Classical Languages Concentration

Study of the 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.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Minimum required concentration course work: 48 hours
Minimum required 300- and 400-level courses in the concentration: 12 hours

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)		6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)		6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)		6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)		3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)		6-10
Language Requirement		0-20
fulfilled by GRK 101, GRK 102, 201, 202; and/or LAT 101, LAT 102, 201, 202

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Orientation and Professional Development
LAS 101	Design Your First Year Experience	1
OR
LAS 100 & LAS 101	Success in LAS for International Students and Design Your First Year Experience	3
OR
LAS 102	Transfer Advantage	1
Total Hours		1 or 3

Classical Languages Concentration

Students choose one of three tracks: Ancient Greek, Latin, or Ancient Greek & Latin

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Ancient Greek Track		48
GRK 101	Elementary Greek I	4
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 Upper-Division GRK courses from the following:		11
GRK 401	Survey of Greek Literature
GRK 491	Readings in Greek Literature
GRK 492	Senior Thesis
GRK 493	Independent Reading
One additional CLCV or GRKM course chosen from the following:		3
CLCV 115	Mythology of Greece and Rome
CLCV 116	Introduction to Ancient Roman Culture
CLCV 120	The Classical Tradition
CLCV 131	Classical Archaeology, Greece
CLCV 132	Class Archaeology, Rome-Italy
CLCV 133	Archaeology of Israel
CLCV 160	Ancient Greek & Roman Religion
CLCV 203	Ancient Philosophy
CLCV 206	Classical Allusions in Cinema
CLCV 220	Exploring the Greek and Roman World
CLCV 221	Odysseus and Other Heroes
CLCV 224	Greco-Roman Antiquity and US Minority Cultures
CLCV 225	How to Run an Ancient Empire
CLCV 230	Ancient Engineering
CLCV 231	Development of Ancient Cities
CLCV 232	Ancient Greek Sanctuaries
CLCV 240	Gender & Sexuality in Greco-Roman Antiquity
CLCV 250	Sports and Society in Greece and Rome
CLCV 322	Introduction to Greek and Roman Theater
CLCV 323	The Comic Imagination
CLCV 443	The Archaeology of Greece
CLCV 444	The Archaeology of Italy
CLCV 450	Classics Internship
CLCV 490	Topics in Classical Literature
CLCV 491	Topics Classic Arch & Civ
CLCV 492	Senior Thesis
CLCV 493	Independent Reading
GRKM 260	Decolonizing the Body: Love and Thought in the Poetry of C.P. Cavafy
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

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Latin Track		48
LAT 101	Elementary Latin I	4
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 Upper-Division LAT courses chosen from the following:		11
LAT 401	Survey of Latin Literature
LAT/MDVL 460	Medieval Latin
LAT 491	Readings in Latin Literature
LAT 492	Senior Thesis
LAT 493	Independent Reading
One additional CLCV or GRKM course chosen from the following:		3
CLCV 114	Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture
CLCV 115	Mythology of Greece and Rome
CLCV 120	The Classical Tradition
CLCV 131	Classical Archaeology, Greece
CLCV 132	Class Archaeology, Rome-Italy
CLCV 133	Archaeology of Israel
CLCV 160	Ancient Greek & Roman Religion
CLCV 203	Ancient Philosophy
CLCV 206	Classical Allusions in Cinema
CLCV 220	Exploring the Greek and Roman World
CLCV 221	Odysseus and Other Heroes
CLCV 224	Greco-Roman Antiquity and US Minority Cultures
CLCV 225	How to Run an Ancient Empire
CLCV 230	Ancient Engineering
CLCV 231	Development of Ancient Cities
CLCV 232	Ancient Greek Sanctuaries
CLCV 240	Gender & Sexuality in Greco-Roman Antiquity
CLCV 250	Sports and Society in Greece and Rome
CLCV 322	Introduction to Greek and Roman Theater
CLCV 323	The Comic Imagination
CLCV 443	The Archaeology of Greece
CLCV 444	The Archaeology of Italy
CLCV 450	Classics Internship
CLCV 490	Topics in Classical Literature
CLCV 491	Topics Classic Arch & Civ
CLCV 492	Senior Thesis
CLCV 493	Independent Reading
GRKM 260	Decolonizing the Body: Love and Thought in the Poetry of C.P. Cavafy
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

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Ancient Greek & Latin Track		52
GRK 101	Elementary Greek I	4
GRK 102	Elementary Greek II	4
GRK 201	Classical & Koine Greek I	4
GRK 202	Classical & Koine Greek II	4
LAT 101	Elementary Latin I	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 additional CLCV or GRKM course chosen from the following:		3
CLCV 114	Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture
CLCV 115	Mythology of Greece and Rome
CLCV 116	Introduction to Ancient Roman Culture
CLCV 120	The Classical Tradition
CLCV 131	Classical Archaeology, Greece
CLCV 132	Class Archaeology, Rome-Italy
CLCV 133	Archaeology of Israel
CLCV 160	Ancient Greek & Roman Religion
CLCV 203	Ancient Philosophy
CLCV 206	Classical Allusions in Cinema
CLCV 220	Exploring the Greek and Roman World
CLCV 221	Odysseus and Other Heroes
CLCV 224	Greco-Roman Antiquity and US Minority Cultures
CLCV 225	How to Run an Ancient Empire
CLCV 230	Ancient Engineering
CLCV 231	Development of Ancient Cities
CLCV 232	Ancient Greek Sanctuaries
CLCV 240	Gender & Sexuality in Greco-Roman Antiquity
CLCV 250	Sports and Society in Greece and Rome
CLCV 322	Introduction to Greek and Roman Theater
CLCV 323	The Comic Imagination
CLCV 443	The Archaeology of Greece
CLCV 444	The Archaeology of Italy
CLCV 450	Classics Internship
CLCV 490	Topics in Classical Literature
CLCV 491	Topics Classic Arch & Civ
CLCV 492	Senior Thesis
CLCV 493	Independent Reading
GRKM 260	Decolonizing the Body: Love and Thought in the Poetry of C.P. Cavafy
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

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.

Ancient Greek Track

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree General and Education Requirements page. Fulfilled by GRK 101, GRK 102, GRK 201, GRK 202.

First Year
First Semester	Hours
LAS 101	1
GRK 101	4
Composition I or General Education course	4
General Education course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
	15
Total Hours 15

First Year
Second Semester	Hours
GRK 102	4
CLCV 114	3
General Education course or Composition I	3
Supporting Coursework	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Second Year
First Semester	Hours
GRK 201	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
	13
Total Hours 13

Second Year
Second Semester	Hours
GRK 202	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
	13
Total Hours 13

Third Year
First Semester	Hours
GRK course	3
GRK 411	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Third Year
Second Semester	Hours
Upper-Division GRK course	4
Upper-Division GRK course	3
Additional CLCV or GRKM Course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours
Upper-Division GRK course	4
Supporting Coursework	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Fourth Year
Second Semester	Hours
Free Elective course	4
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Total Hours: 120

Latin Track

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree General and Education Requirements page. Fulfilled by LAT 101, 102, 201, 202.

First Year
First Semester	Hours
LAS 101	1
LAT 101	4
Composition I or General Education course	4
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

First Year
Second Semester	Hours
LAT 102	4
General Education course or Composition I	3
General Education course	3
CLCV 116	3
Supporting Coursework	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Second Year
First Semester	Hours
LAT 201	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
	13
Total Hours 13

Second Year
Second Semester	Hours
LAT 202	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Third Year
First Semester	Hours
Upper-Division LAT Course	4
Upper-Division LAT Course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Third Year
Second Semester	Hours
LAT 411	3
Additional CLCV or GRKM Course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours
Upper-Division LAT Course	4
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Fourth Year
Second Semester	Hours
Free Elective course	4
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	13
Total Hours 13

Total Hours: 120

Ancient Greek & Latin Track

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree General and Education Requirements page. Fulfilled by GRK 101, 102, 201, 202, & LAT 101, 102, 201, 202.

First Year
First Semester	Hours
LAS 101	1
GRK 101	4
Composition I or General Education course	4
General Education course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
	15
Total Hours 15

First Year
Second Semester	Hours
GRK 102	4
General Education course or Composition I	3
General Education course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Second Year
First Semester	Hours
GRK 201	4
LAT 101	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
	14
Total Hours 14

Second Year
Second Semester	Hours
GRK 202	4
LAT 102	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
	14
Total Hours 14

Third Year
First Semester	Hours
LAT 201	4
GRK 411 or LAT 411	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Third Year
Second Semester	Hours
LAT 202	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours
Additional CLCV or GRKM Course	3
General Education course	3
Supporting Coursework	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Fourth Year
Second Semester	Hours
GRK/LAT Course (400 level)	2
Supporting Coursework	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	14
Total Hours 14

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