Overview

The department offers courses at all levels, both in the original languages and in English, for majors and non-majors alike. It makes no assumptions about a student's prior experience, and looks to provide access to the ancient world to as many people as possible, in whatever form serves them best.

Language Study

For students wishing to begin language study, the department provides elementary and intermediate courses in Latin and Greek.  These courses aim at preparing a student for more advanced study of ancient literature in the original languages.  Elementary and intermediate courses in Modern Greek are also available.  All these courses may be counted towards satisfying the university's undergraduate language requirement.

Courses in Ancient Culture (no Greek or Latin required)

A number of courses are offered in the literature, history, and culture of the ancient world, taught through works in English translation rather than through works in the original languages. Some of these will satisfy the university's Core Curriculum requirement in Literature.  All of them are available to Classics majors, and they form especially the basis of the interdisciplinary Minor in Ancient Civilization.  But they are designed above all to make antiquity accessible to the undergraduate population at large. They are the most wide-ranging of our courses.

Advanced Study in Latin and Greek

At the advanced level, courses are offered on the major authors and genres of Greek and Roman literature. The emphasis here is on the close reading and appreciation of texts in the original languages. Typically these courses are taken by Classics Majors and graduate students, but any student is welcome who has sufficient linguistic background to keep up with the class.

One particular attraction of the Classics Major is the opportunity to study at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, or in Athens through the College Year in Athens program.

Further Information

For more detailed information, select the program in which you are interested:

Major in Classics

Minor in Ancient Civilization

Students, and prospective students, who wish to discuss how a course or a program might suit them should contact a faculty member for an appointment.

Professsor Charles Ahern, Chair

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Carney Hall 123

617/552-3662

ahern@bc.edu

Professsor Meredith Monaghan

Director of the Minor in Ancient Civilization

Carney Hall 120

617/552-2827

meredith.monaghan@bc.edu