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 |
| 4-6 |
| 3 |
| 6 |
| 6 |
| 6 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 6-10 |
| 0-20 |
| |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| LAS 101 | Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
| |
LAS 100
& LAS 101 | Success in LAS for International Students
and Design Your First Year Experience | 3 |
| |
| LAS 102 | Transfer Advantage | 1 |
| 1 or 3 |
Classical Languages Concentration
Students choose one of three tracks: Ancient Greek, Latin, or Ancient Greek & Latin
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 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 |
| Survey of Greek Literature | |
| Readings in Greek Literature | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Independent Reading | |
| 3 |
| Mythology of Greece and Rome | |
| Introduction to Ancient Roman Culture | |
| The Classical Tradition | |
| Classical Archaeology, Greece | |
| Class Archaeology, Rome-Italy | |
| Archaeology of Israel | |
| Ancient Greek & Roman Religion | |
| Ancient Philosophy | |
| Classical Allusions in Cinema | |
| Exploring the Greek and Roman World | |
| Odysseus and Other Heroes | |
| Greco-Roman Antiquity and US Minority Cultures | |
| How to Run an Ancient Empire | |
| Ancient Engineering | |
| Development of Ancient Cities | |
| Ancient Greek Sanctuaries | |
| Gender & Sexuality in Greco-Roman Antiquity | |
| Sports and Society in Greece and Rome | |
| Introduction to Greek and Roman Theater | |
| The Comic Imagination | |
| The Archaeology of Greece | |
| The Archaeology of Italy | |
| Classics Internship | |
| Topics in Classical Literature | |
| Topics Classic Arch & Civ | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Independent Reading | |
| Decolonizing the Body: Love and Thought in the Poetry of C.P. Cavafy | |
| 12 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 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 |
| Survey of Latin Literature | |
| Medieval Latin | |
| Readings in Latin Literature | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Independent Reading | |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture | |
| Mythology of Greece and Rome | |
| The Classical Tradition | |
| Classical Archaeology, Greece | |
| Class Archaeology, Rome-Italy | |
| Archaeology of Israel | |
| Ancient Greek & Roman Religion | |
| Ancient Philosophy | |
| Classical Allusions in Cinema | |
| Exploring the Greek and Roman World | |
| Odysseus and Other Heroes | |
| Greco-Roman Antiquity and US Minority Cultures | |
| How to Run an Ancient Empire | |
| Ancient Engineering | |
| Development of Ancient Cities | |
| Ancient Greek Sanctuaries | |
| Gender & Sexuality in Greco-Roman Antiquity | |
| Sports and Society in Greece and Rome | |
| Introduction to Greek and Roman Theater | |
| The Comic Imagination | |
| The Archaeology of Greece | |
| The Archaeology of Italy | |
| Classics Internship | |
| Topics in Classical Literature | |
| Topics Classic Arch & Civ | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Independent Reading | |
| Decolonizing the Body: Love and Thought in the Poetry of C.P. Cavafy | |
| 12 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 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 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture | |
| Mythology of Greece and Rome | |
| Introduction to Ancient Roman Culture | |
| The Classical Tradition | |
| Classical Archaeology, Greece | |
| Class Archaeology, Rome-Italy | |
| Archaeology of Israel | |
| Ancient Greek & Roman Religion | |
| Ancient Philosophy | |
| Classical Allusions in Cinema | |
| Exploring the Greek and Roman World | |
| Odysseus and Other Heroes | |
| Greco-Roman Antiquity and US Minority Cultures | |
| How to Run an Ancient Empire | |
| Ancient Engineering | |
| Development of Ancient Cities | |
| Ancient Greek Sanctuaries | |
| Gender & Sexuality in Greco-Roman Antiquity | |
| Sports and Society in Greece and Rome | |
| Introduction to Greek and Roman Theater | |
| The Comic Imagination | |
| The Archaeology of Greece | |
| The Archaeology of Italy | |
| Classics Internship | |
| Topics in Classical Literature | |
| Topics Classic Arch & Civ | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Independent Reading | |
| Decolonizing the Body: Love and Thought in the Poetry of C.P. Cavafy | |
| 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 Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAS 101 - Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
| GRK 101 - Elementary Greek I | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK 102 - Elementary Greek II | 4 |
| CLCV 114 - Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture | 3 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK 201 - Classical & Koine Greek I | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK 202 - Classical & Koine Greek II | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK course | 3 |
| GRK 411 - Greek Prose Composition | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Upper-Division GRK course | 4 |
| Upper-Division GRK course | 3 |
| Additional CLCV or GRKM Course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Upper-Division GRK course | 4 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester 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 Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAS 101 - Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
| LAT 101 - Elementary Latin I | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAT 102 - Elementary Latin II | 4 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| CLCV 116 - Introduction to Ancient Roman Culture | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAT 201 - Intermediate Latin | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAT 202 - Intro to Latin Literature | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Upper-Division LAT Course | 4 |
| Upper-Division LAT Course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAT 411 - Intermediate Prose Composition | 3 |
| Additional CLCV or GRKM Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Upper-Division LAT Course | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester 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 Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAS 101 - Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
| GRK 101 - Elementary Greek I | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK 102 - Elementary Greek II | 4 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK 201 - Classical & Koine Greek I | 4 |
| LAT 101 - Elementary Latin I | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK 202 - Classical & Koine Greek II | 4 |
| LAT 102 - Elementary Latin II | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAT 201 - Intermediate Latin | 4 |
| GRK 411 - Greek Prose Composition or LAT 411 - Intermediate Prose Composition | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| LAT 202 - Intro to Latin Literature | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
|---|
First Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Additional CLCV or GRKM Course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
|---|
Second Semester
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| GRK/LAT Course (400 level) | 2 |
| Supporting Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester 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
Classics faculty
classics@illinois.edu
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
