Classics
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Interim Dean: Daniel Bernardi
Department of Classics
HUM 377
Phone: 415-338-2068
E-mail: clas@sfsu.edu
Chair: David D. Leitão
Undergraduate Advisors: M. Anderson, D. Leitão, G. McIntosh, A. Pappas, D.G. Smith
Graduate Coordinator: Michael Anderson
Faculty
Professor: Leitão
Associate Professors: Anderson, Smith
Assistant Professors: McIntosh, Pappas
Programs
Program Scope
Undergraduate Program. The Bachelor of Arts in Classics is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with the means to explore the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and Near East, including Egypt. The study of ancient languages, literature (in the original languages and in translation), and art and archaeology enables students to reconstruct ancient cultures and to examine critically the importance, which they continue to have in the world of today. Students also learn the methods of archaeological, art historical, and philological approaches to the past. The student may choose from one of four emphases within the major: single ancient language (Latin or Greek); two ancient languages (Latin and Greek); classical archaeology; or ancient philosophy. Students who pursue the minor may choose one of four emphases: Greek language, Latin language; classical archaeology; or ancient Mediterranean studies.
Graduate Program. The Master of Arts in Classics introduces students to advanced methodologies used in the study of the ancient languages, the interpretation of ancient texts, and the analysis of material culture. All graduate students must fulfill the same basic program requirements (see below), but will, with the help of an advisor, tailor their coursework and schedule of exams in accordance with their career plans.
Latin Teaching Credential. The department offers a Certification of Single Subject Matter Preparation in Latin, recognized by the State of California, for students interested in teaching Latin in California public middle and high schools.
Career Outlook
The undergraduate degree in classics is designed for students who wish to gain an interdisciplinary and broad liberal arts education. Students will find training in classics valuable in professional programs (in law or medicine, for example) that increasingly emphasize the importance of the humanities. The undergraduate degree also provides a sound foundation for students who wish to continue work in classics at the graduate level.
The graduate degree is of particular value for students who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in classics or who plan to teach at the high school or community college levels. Students with goals in other academic areas, including museum studies, history, philosophy, theology, modern languages, or comparative literature, can also benefit from a master’s degree in classics.
Bachelor of Arts in Classics
All classics majors are expected to take 12 units of core courses specified below. There are four emphases within the major.
Emphasis in Single Language. Students elect to concentrate on the study of Greek or Latin.
Emphasis in Two Languages. Students elect to concentrate on the study of both Greek and Latin.
Emphasis in Classical Archaeology. Students elect to concentrate on the study of classical archaeology.
Emphasis in Philosophy. Students elect to concentrate on the study of Classical or Medieval Philosophy (this emphasis involves taking courses in the philosophy department and in the classics department).
Advising. To insure adequate planning of a student’s program, all majors must consult an advisor regularly throughout their undergraduate years.
Classics Graduation Examination. All undergraduate students must pass a graduation exam that tests oral and written skills in Latin and/or Greek. The exam has three parts: oral declamation of a prose passage; written transcription of a prose passage dictated by a test administrator; and oral declamation of passage of poetry (scansion) in dactylic hexameter.
Complementary Studies
Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least twelve units of complementary studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.)
Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. Additional ways to complete the CS requirements for students in the classics major is to complete 12 units in Greek (GRE) or Latin (LATN) or some combination.
Classics (B.A.) — 43 - 44 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core courses for all Classics Majors (12 units)
- CLAS 400 GW Approaches to Classics GWAR
Three of the following:
- CLAS 410 Ancient Greek Literature
- CLAS 415 Ancient Roman Literature
- CLAR 420 Greek Art and Archeology
- CLAR 425 Roman Art and Archeology
Emphasis in Single Language (31 units)
-
GRE 101 Elementary Ancient Greek (5)
and -
GRE 202 Intermediate Ancient Greek (5)
or -
LATN 101 Elementary Latin (5)
and - LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (5)
- Four upper-division Greek or Latin courses
- Three elective courses on advisement
Emphasis in Two Languages (32 units)
- GRE 101 Elementary Ancient Greek (5)
- GRE 202 Intermediate Ancient Greek (5)
- LATN 101 Elementary Latin (5)
- LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (5)
- Four upper-division courses in Greek and/or Latin
Emphasis in Classical Archaeology (31 units)
-
GRE 101 Elementary Ancient Greek (5)
and -
GRE 202 Intermediate Ancient Greek (5)
or -
LATN 101 Elementary Latin (5)
and - LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (5)
- Three upper-division Greek or Latin courses
- Four elective courses in Classical Archaeology
Emphasis in Philosophy (31 units)
-
GRE 101 Elementary Ancient Greek (5)
and -
GRE 202 Intermediate Ancient Greek (5)
or -
LATN 101 Elementary Latin (5)
and - LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (5)
- Three upper-division Greek or Latin courses
- Three elective courses in the Philosophy Department on advisement
- CLAS 490 History of Ideas in the Ancient Classical World
Minor in Classics
Classics (Minor) — 18 - 19 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Emphasis in Greek (19 units)
- GRE 101 Elementary Ancient Greek (5)
- GRE 202 Intermediate Ancient Greek (5)
- Two Upper-division courses in Greek
-
CLAS 410 Ancient Greek Literature
or - CLAR 420 Greek Art and Archaeology
Emphasis in Latin (19 units)
- LATN 101 Elementary Latin (5)
- LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (5)
- Two Upper-division courses in Latin
-
CLAS 415 Ancient Roman Literature
or - CLAR 425 Roman Art and Archaeology
Emphasis in Classical Archaeology (19 units)
-
GRE 101 Elementary Ancient Greek (5)
and -
GRE 202 Intermediate Ancient Greek (5)
or -
LATN 101 Elementary Latin (5)
and - LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (5)
-
CLAR 420 Greek Art and Archaeology
or - CLAR 425 Roman Art and Archaeology
- Two elective courses in Classical Archaeology
Emphasis in Ancient Mediterranean Studies (18 units)
- CLAR 250 Archaelogy of the Ancient World
- CLAS 490 History of Ideas in the Ancient Classical World
- Two elective courses in Classics
- Two elective courses in Classical Archaeology
Master of Arts in Classics
Admission to the Program
The ideal applicant to the Master of Arts in Classics program is someone with (1) undergraduate major in classics (or equivalent learning experience); and (2) sufficient proficiency in both Latin and Greek to take graduate seminars in those languages. The Graduate Division also requires that applicants have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. The department does admit students who have less than the ideal preparation described above; in those cases, the applicant is admitted conditionally (subject to meeting certain conditions for progress through the program).
Applicants must take the GRE, complete the online application to the graduate program, and submit directly to the department a two to three page statement of purpose, an eight to ten page writing sample, and one letter of recommendation (sent directly by the recommender).
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Level One: Satisfied by the writing sample submitted as part of the application process.
Level Two: Satisfied by the culminating experience project (either the literature survey that accompanies the oral exam (CLAS 896) or the thesis (CLAS 898).
Classics (M.A.) — Minimum 30 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements (18 units)
- CLAS 700 Proseminar in Classical Studies: Texts and Contexts
- CLAS 720 Seminars in Classical Languages and Literature (variable topic)
-
One course in the range of
CLAR 820 – CLAR 890
Seminars in Classical Archaeology—Cultures and Civilizations - Choose one additional course from either CLAS 720 or CLAR 820 – CLAR 890
-
Two graduate courses in ancient literature
(courses with GRE and/or LATN prefixes)
Electives (9 units)
Three electives, one of which may be from outside the department. All electives taken within the department (CLAS, CLAR, GRE, LATN) must be graduate level. Any course taken outside of the department must be approved by an advisor; such a course may be upper division.
Culminating Experience (3 units)
One of the following options:
-
CLAS 896 Directed Reading in Classics
and Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination -
CLAS 898 Master's Thesis
and Prospectus
Comprehensive Oral Examination. Upon completion of course work, the student not writing a thesis must pass a comprehensive oral examination administered by a committee of at least two faculty members on a specified group of works in the student’s area of emphasis.
Master’s Thesis and Prospectus. A written and oral presentation of the thesis prospectus is required before the writing of the thesis. The student’s committee of at least two faculty members must approve the prospectus before the student files the Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement form with the Graduate Division.
Written M.A. Examinations
Upon completion of course work, students must pass two of the following exams: Greek Translation; Latin Translation; Classical Archaeology.
Modern Language Requirement
Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least one modern language (French, German, or Italian) by passing a two-hour translation examination (with dictionary), set by the department; or by obtaining a minimum grade of B in one upper division foreign language course or course for reading knowledge taken at SF State or elsewhere. This requirement must be satisfied by the end of the student’s third semester in the program.
