An ideal major for those who seek to join the great conversation that lies at the heart of all modern Western intellectual and philosophical thought and tradition, the study of the classics enables students to explore and appreciate the literatures, languages, cultures, values, and civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome.
- If you’re looking to immerse yourself in classical literature and thought, develop an appreciation for the poetry, philosophy, history and rhetoric of some of the most influential figures within the Western tradition, the Department of Classics at Whitman College can give you the tools and guidance for this rewarding endeavor.
- As a student of the classics, you will graduate with a close familiarity with the works of ancient authors — through a curriculum that balances the close study of primary texts with contemporary scholarly analyses. You will also be offered instruction in the Greek and Latin languages and can learn to read the original texts.
- Fundamentally interdisciplinary in nature, the program not only enables you to integrate different fields of study, but also engage in close and focused scholarship in collaboration with your professors.
The Classical Studies major: A minimum of 36 credits as follows:
- Latin 205 (or equivalent) or Greek 205 (or equivalent);
- eight credits of Classics 391, 392;
- sixteen credits to be drawn from course work in classics or from Greek 391, 392, Latin 391, 392. No more than four of these credits may be drawn from Greek 391, 392, Latin 391, 392;
- eight credits of coursework in Greek and/or Roman history from courses approved by the department of Classics.
The senior assessment in classical studies consists of a three-hour written comprehensive examination and a one-hour oral examination, both of which address materials encountered in coursework and materials from a departmental reading list for the comprehensive examination.
Note: Students who major in classical studies may not receive credit for the completion of a classics minor.
The Classics minor: Either Latin 205 (or equivalent) or Greek 205 (or equivalent), four credits of Classics 392 plus a minimum of 12 additional credits. Eight of those additional credits may be drawn from a full year of a second ancient language. Thus the student who completes Greek 205 may count Latin 105, 106 toward the minor, and the student who completes Latin 205 may count Greek 105, 106. All or part of the 12 additional credits may be drawn from the following courses: Classics 130, 140, 200, 201, 221, 224, 226, 227, 239, 371, 377, 391, 392, Greek 391, 392, Latin 391, 392, History 225, 226, 227.
Note: A course cannot be used to satisfy both major and minor requirements, e.g., History 226 cannot be used to apply toward the 36-credit requirement for the history major and the classics minor requirement.
Note: Courses taken P-D-F prior to the declaration of a language major or minor will satisfy course and credit requirements for the major or minor. Courses taken P-D-F may not be used to satisfy course and credit requirements for the major or minor after the major or minor has been declared.
