DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS

Undergraduate Department of Classics

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Chair: Stover; M. Lynette Thompson Professor: de Grummond; Professors: Cairns, DeGiorgi, Nappa, Sickinger, Slaveva-Griffin, Stover; Associate Professors: Clark, Lewis, Luke, Pfaff; Assistant Professors: Crowe, Murphy, Sansom; Assistant Teaching Professors: Dill, Warhover; Professors Emeriti: Fulkerson, Golden, Marincola, Pullen

The influence of the art, languages, literatures, and cultures of the Greco-Roman world pervades every western and many non-western societies. Modern America is no exception. A meaningful appreciation of our classical past is vital both for understanding the impressive continuity of institutions and values as well as for recognizing how recent innovations and transformations of received assumptions have rendered aspects of the classical world alien and sometimes exceptionable. The Classics are crucial both to the perpetuation and to the critique of modern liberal arts education.

The Department of Classics is committed to advancing our knowledge and critical appreciation of the ancient Mediterranean world through excellence in research and in teaching. The department seeks to create an atmosphere that fosters traditional scholarly approaches to the classical past at the same time as it welcomes and encourages innovative methods and perspectives. The department values the interdisciplinary nature of the classics and strives to achieve an integrated understanding of the ancient world that includes a full appreciation of its history, literature, art, and archaeology. Students are encouraged to view Classics within the context of the traditional humanities as well as in terms of the contemporary criticism of received cultural canons.

All courses in Classics emphasize critical thinking, careful analysis, and effective speaking and writing skills. Most Classics majors find that their broad liberal arts background is excellent preparation for pursuing careers in the learned professions, such as government, journalism, or law. Some who major in Classics will go on to academic careers or become teachers in schools or specialists in museum work.

In addition to offering instruction to majors, the department participates in the University's CoreFSU Curriculum and offers innovative courses that satisfy the University's diversity requirement. Courses in beginning Greek or Latin can be used to fulfill the language requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The faculty in Classics is distinguished in teaching and research. Several members of the faculty have received University and national teaching awards. Individual faculty members have also won numerous competitive grants. The department boasts special strengths in ancient political and military history, ancient literature and literary criticism, the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean world, Greek and Roman religion, and ancient sexuality and gender studies. Several faculty members direct archaeological projects in Greece and Italy, and students are active participants in these.

Majors and elective students alike will find many intellectual opportunities in the department. There are active chapters of Eta Sigma Phi (the Classics honor society) and the Senior Classical League, and a vigorous Student Archaeology Club. Each year the department hosts several distinguished guest speakers. In many terms, the department also hosts a major conference. Recent topics have included the following: Socio-Economic Inequalities of the Roman World; Women at the Crossroads in the Ancient Greek World; and Platonism and the World Crisis.

Students interested in Classics are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Many students will find that their needs are best accommodated by the department's flexible program in Classical Civilizations (see below). Students who intend to pursue a career in teaching Latin or museum work, and students who intend to pursue postgraduate research in ancient history, classical archaeology, or philology may benefit from more specific programs of study. There is also a joint major in Classics and Religion.

Digital Literacy Requirement

Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically

Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement. Undergraduate majors in Classics satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in any course designated as meeting the Computer Competency Requirement.

State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites in Classics

The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/1006.73.

FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Classics. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit: https://cpm.flvc.org/programs/294/263.

Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.

Requirements for Majors in Classics

Students should review all college-wide degree requirements summarized in the “College of Arts and Sciences” chapter. No course for which a student receives a grade below “C” may be counted toward satisfaction of major requirements. In addition, courses used to satisfy the college world language requirement may not be counted toward satisfaction of any major requirements. Interested students should consult with the undergraduate advisor as early as possible to choose a course of study best suited to their needs and goals.

All students are required to complete an exit survey for both the department and the College of Arts and Sciences during the term in which they graduate.

Latin

The major in Latin requires thirty hours of coursework, to include:

fifteen hours of courses in Latin above the 2000-level, with at least six hours at the 4000 level
three hours of coursework in Roman Archaeology (ARH 3150)
three hours of coursework in Roman History (CLA 3440)
three hours of coursework in Classical Mythology (CLT 2374)
three hours of elective Classics coursework above the 2000 level
three hours in CLA 4935, Seminar in Classical Civilization

Greek

The major in Greek requires thirty hours of coursework, to include:

twelve hours of courses in Greek above the 2000 level, with at least six at the 4000 level
three hours of coursework in Greek Archaeology (ARH 3130)
three hours of coursework in Greek History (CLA 3430)
three hours of coursework in Classical Mythology (CLT 2374)
six hours of elective Classics coursework above the 2000 level
three hours in CLA 4935, Seminar in Classical Civilizations

Latin and Greek

The major in Latin and Greek requires thirty hours of coursework, to include:

eighteen hours of courses in Latin and Greek above the 2000 level, including at least six hours in each language, and at least six hours at the 4000 level
three hours of coursework in Greek or Roman Archaeology (ARH 3130 or 3150)
three hours of coursework in Greek or Roman History (CLA 3430 or 3440)
three hours of coursework in Classical Mythology (CLT 2374)
three hours in CLA 4935, Seminar in Classical Civilization

Classical Civilization

The major in Classical Civilization requires thirty hours of coursework, to include:

three hours of coursework in Classical Archaeology (ARH 3130 or 3150)
three hours of coursework in Ancient History (CLA 3430 or 3440)
three hours of coursework in Classical Mythology (CLT 2374)
eighteen additional hours of Classics courses, twelve of which must be at the 4000 level
three hours in CLA 4935, Seminar in Classical Civilization

Classical Archaeology

The major in Classical Archaeology requires thirty hours of coursework, to include:

six hours of coursework in Classical Archaeology (ARH 3130 and 3150)
nine hours of advanced classical archaeology courses (chosen from ARH 4110, 4118, 4120, 4131, 4151, 4154, 4173 and CLA 4151)
nine hours in Greek or Latin (can include LAT or GRE 1120, 1121, 2220; hours counted to the major cannot be used to satisfy the world language requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences)
three hours of coursework in Classical Mythology (CLT 2374)
three hours in CLA 4935, Seminar in Classical Civilization

Students are also encouraged to participate in archaeological fieldwork, and to study at the University's study center in Florence.

Ancient History

The major in Ancient History requires thirty hours of coursework, to include:

six hours of coursework in Ancient History (CLA 3430 and CLA 3440)
nine hours of advanced Ancient History courses (chosen from EUH 4401, EUH 4408, EUH 4412, EUH 4413, CLA 4437r, and CLA 4447r)
nine hours of elective Classics courses offered by the Classics department above the 2000 level (can also include ASH 3200, ASH 4203, EUH 4121, and REL 4215)
three hours of coursework in Classical Mythology (CLT 2374)
three hours in CLA 4935, Seminar in Classical Civilization

Joint Major in Classics and Religion

The departments of Classics and Religion cooperate in a joint major designed for students with a special interest in religion and culture in the ancient world. The joint major in Classics and Religion requires (in addition to other college requirements) 27 credit hours in Classics and 18 credit hours in Religion for a total of forty-five hours. At least nine credit hours at the 3000 or 4000 level in classics courses with prefixes ARH, CLA, or CLT, or ASH 3200, EUH 4401, EUH 4408, EUH 4412, or EUH 4413 are required. No more than 18 credit hours of Greek or Latin may count toward the major and courses used to fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences language requirement may not be counted toward the major. Of the 18 credit hours in religion, at least six and no more than 12 credit hours must be in the area of religions of western antiquity. Classics courses in which the student receives a grade below “C” will not be counted toward the major. For the different but related joint major in Religion and Classics, please contact the undergraduate director in the department of Religion.

Students choosing the joint major in classics and religion do not need to complete a minor.

Honors in the Major

The Department of Classics offers a program in honors in the major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter and consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Classics.

Requirements for a Minor in Classics

The minor in Classical Civilization requires 12 credit hours of coursework, and consists of any four courses listed under the Classics Department’s offerings in classical archaeology, culture, history, and literature; two classes must be at or above the 3000-level. At least six credit hours must be taken at FSU. With the approval of the department, appropriate courses in Greek and Latin (above the 2000-level) may be included in this program. Grades below a C- will not be accepted towards the minor.

The minor in Greek requires four courses (at least 12 credit hours) in ancient Greek (GRE/GRW). The sequence may begin at the 1000-level, provided this does not duplicate the world language requirements for the baccalaureate degree or other foreign-language requirements, or at any appropriate higher level. At least six credit hours must be taken at FSU. Grades below a C- will not be accepted towards the minor.

The minor in Latin requires four courses (at least 12 credit hours) in Latin (LAT/LNW). The sequence may begin at the 1000-level, provided this does not duplicate the world language requirements for the baccalaureate degree or other foreign-language requirements, or at any appropriate higher level. At least six credit hours must be taken at FSU. Grades below a C- will not be accepted towards the minor.