Classics is the study of Greek and Roman antiquity through the ancient languages, literatures, histories, arts, cultures, and thought of those periods. This is an area of study which seeks to employ a variety of analytic tools in understanding the cultures which lie at the heart of the western tradition. The major programs in classics and classical studies draw on the offerings of the departments of classics, history, philosophy, politics, and rhetoric. The major in classics places the greatest emphasis upon mastery of the ancient languages. The major in classical studies emphasizes a broad familiarity with Greek and Roman cultures.
A student who enters Whitman without any prior college-level preparation in classics will have to complete 54 credits to fulfill the requirements for the classics major. That same student will have to complete 44 credits to fulfill the requirements for the classical studies major. Courses taken in the department of classics will principally fulfill the distribution area of humanities. Note that some classics courses may also fulfill distribution in social sciences and fine art.
The Classics major: A minimum of 36 credits as follows:
- Latin 205 (or equivalent) and Greek 205 (or equivalent);
- eight credits of Classics 391, 392;
- twelve 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;
- four credits of coursework in Greek and/or Roman history from courses approved by the department of Classics;
- all classics majors must also complete either Classics 497 (two credits) or Classics 498 (two credits).
The senior assessment in classics consists of a three-hour written comprehensive examination, a senior thesis and a one-hour oral examination consisting of a defense of the thesis and, when appropriate, further response to questions from the written examination.
