Classics
ClassicsProfessor—Bertrand, Ellis, L., Stanley
Associate Professors—McLauchlin, Vaughn
Assistant Professor—Leitao
B.A. in Classics
Minor in Classics
M.A. in Classics
Undergraduate Program. The B.A. in Classics is an interdisciplinary program which 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 the materials of daily life enables students to reconstruct ancient cultures and to examine critically the importance which they maintain in the world of today. Students also learn the methods of archaeological, art historical, and philological approaches to the past.
The student may choose one of several emphases within the major and minor: in a single ancient language (Latin or Greek), in two ancient languages (Latin and Greek), in Classical Archaeology or in Philosophy.
Graduate Program. The M.A. in Classics emphasizes the advanced study of the ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and literature, in the cultural and historical context of the Mediterranean world. The program provides students with the basic methods and skills of classical scholarship, as well as with the opportunity to explore related areas of classical studies, such as archaeology and philosophy. The graduate program in classics is designed to guide the student in a study of individual authors and problems in literary and historical periods, literary genres, and cultural history.
The student may select a field of emphasis in one of four areas of study: Latin, Greek, Classics, or Classical Archaeology.
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) which 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 classics major with an emphasis in a single language (Latin) is approved by the State of California as a subject matter preparation program for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Foreign Languages.
The M.A. 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.
All Classics majors are expected to take nine units of core courses specified below. There are three basic emphases within the major.
Emphasis in Language. Students elect to concentrate on the study of Greek, Latin, or 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 adviser regularly throughout their undergraduate years.
Online course descriptions are available.
| Core Courses for All Classics Majors | Units | |
| CLAS 410 | Classical Culture: Greece or | 3 |
| CLAS 415 | Classical Culture: Rome | |
| CLAR 507-508 | Ancient Roman Civilization (3 each) or | 6 |
| CLAR 515-516 | Ancient Greek Civilization (3 each) | |
| Total for core | 9 | |
| Emphasis in Language | ||
| Concentration in Single Language: | ||
| Greek or Latin (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Upper division Greek or Latin courses | 18 | |
| Upper division elective on advisement | 3 | |
| CLAS 360 | Greek and Roman Mythology (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Total for concentration | 34 | |
| Concentration in Two Languages: | ||
| Greek (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Latin (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Upper division courses in either Greek or Latin 1 | 12 | |
| CLAS 360 | Greek and Roman Mythology (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Total for concentration | 35 | |
| Emphasis in Classical Archaeology | ||
| Greek or Latin (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Upper division courses in either Greek or Latin 2 | 12 | |
| Upper division courses in Classical Archaeology (excluding core courses) | 12 | |
| Total for emphasis | 34 | |
| Emphasis in Philosophy | ||
| Greek or Latin (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Upper division course in either Greek or Latin | 3 | |
| Courses selected from the Philosophy Department on advisement | 21 | |
| Total for emphasis | 34 | |
| Field of Emphasis (chosen from the above alternatives) | 34-35 | |
| Total for the major | 43-44 | |
| Core Courses | Units | |
| CLAS 410 | Classical Culture: Greece or | 3 |
| CLAS 415 | Classical Culture: Rome | |
| CLAR 507-508 | Ancient Roman Civilization (3 each) or | 6 |
| CLAR 515-516 | Ancient Greek Civilization (3 each) | |
| Total for core | 9 | |
| Emphasis in Language | ||
| Greek or Latin (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Upper division courses in Greek or Latin | 6 | |
| CLAS 360 | Greek and Roman Mythology | 3 |
| Total for emphasis | 19 | |
| Emphasis in Classical Archaeology | ||
| Greek or Latin (Beginning and Intermediate) | 10 | |
| Upper division course in Greek or Latin | 3 | |
| Upper division courses in Classical Archaeology (excluding core courses) | 6 | |
| Total for emphasis | 19 | |
| Emphasis in Ancient Mediterranean Studies | ||
| CLAS 330 | Ancient Epic Tales | 3 |
| CLAS 360 | Greek and Roman Mythology | 3 |
| CLAS 490 | History of Ideas | 3 |
| Electives selected for courses in Classics, Classical Archaeology, History or Philosophy on advisement | 6 | |
| Total for emphasis | 15 | |
| Field of Emphasis (chosen from the above alternatives) | 15-19 | |
| Total for the minor | 24-28 | |
Students interested in this program must have:
Students who have not met all of these requirements may be admitted to the program conditionally, with the consent of the graduate adviser. All conditions must be satisfied before the student submits a Graduate Approved Program (GAP).
Level One: satisfactory performance on substantial research paper presented in student's first departmental graduate seminar, as determined by instructor in consultation with Classics Graduate Committee. If any deficiency is found, the student may be required to take remedial course work which will not appear on the GAP. Level Two: satisfactory completion of the thesis or final seminar paper if the student chooses the oral examination as the culminating experience.
Online course descriptions are available. With the approval of the graduate adviser, all upper division courses offered by the Department of Classics may be considered for the master's degree.
| Core Requirements | Units | |
| CLAS 700 | Proseminar in Classical Studies: Texts and Contexts | 3 |
| CLAS 720-790 | Seminars in Classical Languages and Literature | 6 |
| CLAR 820-890 | Seminar in Classical Archaeology--Cultures and Civilizations | 3 |
| Language and Literature Requirement | ||
| Graduate courses in ancient literature (readings in the original languages) | 6 | |
| Electives | ||
| Courses chosen from at least two of the following three categories on advisement | 9 | |
| Upper division or graduate courses in ancient literature (readings in the original languages) | ||
| Upper division or graduate courses in classical archaeology, cultures, and civilizations | ||
| Upper division or graduate courses in related departments (World and Comparative Literature, History, Philosophy, and others on advisement) | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| One of the following options: | 3 | |
| CLAS 896 | Directed Reading in Classics and | |
| Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination | ||
| CLAS 898 | Master's Thesis and Prospectus | |
| Minimum total | 30 | |
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 three 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 three faculty members must approve the prospectus before the student files the Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement form with the Graduate Division.
Upon completion of course work, students must pass a written translation examination in Greek and/or Latin (depending on the individual emphasis within the program), based on a departmental reading list of ancient authors.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least one modern language (usually 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 by successfully completing the SFSU course in German or French for reading knowledge.
Footnotes