Classics

FACULTY

Chair and Associate Professor Sweet; Professor Hatlie; Associate Professors Danze, Davies, and Robinson; Affiliate Assistant Professor Kosch

About the Classics Department

Western Civilization’s approach to education for 2500 years has been "classical" in the extended sense, in that it has been based on the study of works of the first rank, those reflections of the greatest minds that have had the most effect on the way humans have lived their lives. Until recently it has also been "classical" in the limited sense, in that it has given particular emphasis to the principal works of Greek and Latin authors, those that have been most formative in shaping the reflections of their successors, whether poets or theologians, philosophers or statesmen. "Classical" in the extended sense describes the university’s core curriculum; "classical" in the limited sense describes the curriculum of the Classics Department. We look on Classics as still having its traditional role at the heart of a university education and in this view we are supported by the core curriculum itself, which puts great emphasis on classical authors and by many departments in the university which encourage their own students to learn classical languages or who join with us in offering double majors in Classics and, for example, English or Politics or Philosophy.

The function of a classical education has always been threefold: first, to engage the mind in the investigation of revolutionary ideas; second, to train the tongue to speak with power and articulation; third, to fire the imagination with examples of conduct that will guide us in our confrontation with life. The classical authors are sometimes mistakenly supposed to be out of date, but they posed to themselves the problems of the human condition in terms that have not changed and they found solutions with which we still live, though often unaware. These solutions were radical at the time that they were devised and they remain so, for every generation that recognizes them must begin again by going back to the roots of things. There, the ideas live with the freshness of the first shoots of spring. For each age they blossom forth in language that has repeatedly enchanted the western world, supplying it with paradigms for imitation as well as instruments for analysis. We not only aspire to speak like the ancients, but also to understand our own use of speech, by depending on their grammar, rhetoric and logic. When we act, we do so within an ethical framework that was given its theoretical form by classical philosophers and its practical substance and color by classical poets and statesmen. Because of its attention to thought and word and deed, classical education has been held up as a model for Western civilization and its utility is no less now than it has ever been. Students who major in Classics, therefore, may apply their training in all the ways that their predecessors have, specifically to work, such as a professional career in law, medicine, public service, the clergy or teaching and more generally to life as a whole, since it is this whole to which education will always look in the end.

Besides learning to read the great works of classical antiquity, students of Classics also gain direct access to the Christian tradition, since it was primarily in Greek and Latin that Christian spirituality initially took literary shape, flourished thereafter in the great theologians and poets and continues to illuminate our lives today.

The Core in Greek or Latin

On the first-year and second-year levels, the beginning student is most of all concerned with learning the language well, for the study of language can be mind-forming in itself. The student becomes more aware of the variety of language structures, of differences and similarities in thought and in expression. As the student’s knowledge of the classical language grows, he finds that he also begins to express himself more clearly and precisely in his own language because of his increased understanding of the true meanings of the many words and phrases in English which are derived from classical sources.

To some extent on the second-year level and to a great extent in advanced courses the student puts his knowledge of the language to work. He reads, studies and writes critically about the best writers of antiquity. The writers studied in these courses are chosen because of their concern with man’s understanding of himself and of the ties that bind him to the divine and human worlds. As the student reads and contemplates the works, the awareness of the importance of such matters for his own life increases, as does his appreciation for the beauty and clarity with which the ancient writers have dealt with the abiding questions of human existence.

Students may fulfill the Constantin College Core requirement in language through courses in Latin or Greek. Those who have studied either language extensively at the high school level may be eligible to complete the core by taking one advanced level course (3000 or above). Others less well prepared will need to take two to four courses, mostly at lower levels. Consult the Basic Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in this bulletin. A placement examination is required of all new students and may be required of continuing students who have interrupted their study beyond one semester. Placement into a 3000-level course in Latin with three second-year level credits will be awarded for a rating of "5" on an Advanced Placement Examination.

The Majors in Classical Philology and Classics

The Classics Department offers two majors. Either helps a student to build on his earlier preparation in the core and to study the writers of classical antiquity in ever greater depth. Both require eight advanced courses; and it should be noted that the advanced language requirements are the same in both, until a student has taken three advanced language courses in one classical language. But there are some salient differences, which we roughly summarize. (For further details, see the Basic Requirements and Suggested Sequence for each degree.)

The major in Classical Philology is excellent preparation for graduate and professional school, particularly for graduate work in Classics. Students wishing to teach at pre-college levels will also want this major. It requires at least six advanced language courses in either Greek or Latin, but leaves some room for courses taken in translation on the history, politics, literature, art, or philosophy of antiquity.

The major in Classics requires only four advanced language classes in either Greek or Latin. There is thus more space for advanced courses in translation on the history, literature, art, or philosophy of antiquity. This is designed for students who do want a thorough grounding in the language and life of the ancient world, but have less time for advanced language study—perhaps because they came with little or no prior training in Greek and Latin; or for some other reason.

Both majors train students well in languages. That in Classical Philology is one of the most rigorous in the country; in recent years it has enabled UD students to be accepted by some of the nation’s best Ph.D. programs.

Junior Paper, Classical Philology major only. At the end of the junior year the Classical Philology major writes a research paper of around 12 pages. The general topic of the paper is determined by the subject of one of the advanced literature courses in the major language for which the student is enrolled during the second semester, although the student chooses the specific topic in consultation with the professor for the course. The junior paper becomes part of the grade for that course. Through this project the student develops his ability to sustain a lengthier and more complex argument than has usually been required in his advanced language classes. The student reads widely in primary and secondary sources and gains experience in making critical judgments of ancient thinkers and contemporary scholars.

Senior Project and Comprehensive Examination, Classical Philology and Classics majors. In the last undergraduate year, students in both majors complete the senior comprehensive examination appropriate to that major, primarily in fall and write and present a senior project of at least 20 pages, usually in spring. Through his performance on the three parts of the comprehensive examination (ancient history, philology, interpretation of literature) each student reveals his increased knowledge of the classical languages and his understanding of antiquity as a whole. The senior project enables the student to bring together the fruits of his experiences in the various courses to produce an original critical treatment of a major author, work, or theme. He presents the results of the project to an audience of faculty and students near the end of the spring semester.

Concentrations

For details see Language Concentrations. All concentrations involving Latin or Greek must be approved by the Classics Chairman. See also the Concentrations in Medieval and Renaissance Studies and Contemplative Studies for which Classics can be an important component.

Associations and Honors

The Department sponsors a Classics Club, for which all students are eligible and a chapter of the national honor society Eta Sigma Phi, to which outstanding juniors and seniors are nominated by the faculty. The Fr. Placid Award may be given annually to a senior whose exceptional achievements warrant it.

Teaching Latin

The Department participates with the Education Department in preparing students for secondary school certification in Latin. Consult the Education listing.

Summer Programs in Classics

The Summer Institute in Classics offers First-Year Latin I and II, Second-Year Latin I and First-Year Greek I and II. Advanced Latin courses are offered as needed and may be taken for graduate credit. A week-long Advanced Placement Summer Institute for Latin teachers is offered each July. Check with the chairman for details.

Programs in Classics

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Philology, Focus in Greek or Latin

Bachelor of Arts in Classics, Focus in Greek or Latin

Biblical Greek Concentration

Course Information

Courses in Classics