The study of the classics concerns itself with the one fixed point of reference in the liberal arts: the origins. The very notion of liberal arts is a creation of ancient Greece and Rome. Courses in the classics are intended to acquaint the student with the languages, literatures, and civilizations of those cultural wellsprings. Because classics comprehends all aspects of these ancient civilizations, it is in fact an interdisciplinary field.

Greek and Latin are fundamental languages of the West, with literatures extending over three millennia. Serious study of Greece and Rome (as of most cultures) should include the study of their languages. Coursework in Greek, Latin, and classical civilization enhances understanding of subjects as diverse as art history, drama, history, linguistics, philosophy, political science, religion, and the modern literatures of Europe and America. Indeed, almost any study of the Western intellect and imagination looks repeatedly toward Greece and Rome and does so to greatest advantage through the lucid windows of the original languages.

Besides Latin and Greek, Sanskrit may usually be studied.

The department encourages its students to study abroad, especially in Greece and Italy, but in many other countries as well, either during the summer or for a semester or year.

New Students

First-year students or students new to classics are particularly advised to take the classical civilization courses. Courses in classical civilization do not require a knowledge of Greek or Latin. Under this heading, students' particular interests may lead them to courses that concern ancient history, literature, myth, or archaeology. Please note that the distinction between civilization courses at the 100 level and 200 level is not one of difficulty. Courses at the 200 level tend to have a narrower focus than the surveys at the 100 level, but both typically combine lectures and discussions, and the work may involve presentations, papers, and tests.

New students are also encouraged to take Latin and/or Greek at the appropriate level. Those who have previously studied Latin or Greek should consult with a member of the departmental faculty to determine which course would be appropriate. We offer proficiency tests in both Latin and (on demand) Greek during Orientation and in Latin once during each semester. For many reasons, it is ideal for students to begin studying a language in their first year of college, and our elementary courses in both Latin and Greek are specifically designed to meet their needs. No previous linguistic training is required or assumed for these courses, but regular attendance and thorough preparation are crucial.

Kenyon's Language Requirement

A year of study at Kenyon in either Latin or Greek satisfies Kenyon's language requirement. To satisfy the language requirement through previous study in Latin, a student needs a score of 4 or 5 on either Latin Advanced Placement exam, or a passing grade on the department's proficiency test. The proficiency test is given during the Orientation Program as well as on the Wednesday of the ninth full week of classes each semester. The examination tests the student on the equivalent of a year of Latin at Kenyon. To satisfy the language requirement through previous study in Ancient Greek, a student needs to achieve a passing grade on an examination set by the department during Orientation, but only by arrangement between the student and the department. The examination tests the student on the equivalent of a year of Greek at Kenyon.

Requirements for the Major

Students majoring in classics may choose any one of the four forms of the major: (1) Latin and Greek, (2) Latin, (3) Greek, (4) Classical Civilization. A Senior Exercise and the Senior Seminar, CLAS 471, are required of all majors. Students must declare their classics major by November 1 of their senior year.

Students who intend to continue the study of the classics in graduate school are advised to choose the Latin and Greek form of the major and to develop reading ability in both French and German.

Transfer students and students who study abroad may receive collegiate credit for coursework completed successfully off campus, but each student should ascertain from the department in advance how work done elsewhere will be credited to the departmental requirements for the major.

Time away from Kenyon, as well as other circumstances, may render it impossible for a student to proceed with his or her language study according to the established sequence: LATN 101Y-102Y or GREK 111Y-112Y, respectively, followed by one odd-numbered and one even-numbered course on the 200 level, followed by as many courses as possible on the 300 level. To take courses out of sequence, a student must solicit in advance the department's approval for the necessary deviation by means of a brief petition sent by e-mail to all classics faculty members currently on campus. Students wishing to substitute a different course for any of the courses required for their type of the major or minor should follow the same procedure.

We encourage all majors and minors to take as many as possible of these six survey courses, which are known as the core courses in translation: CLAS 101: Greek Literature; CLAS 102: Latin Literature; CLAS 111: Greek History; CLAS 112: Roman History; CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology; and CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology. We offer at least two, and usually three, of these core courses every year.

Latin and Greek

(6 units minimum)

• 5 units of Latin and Ancient Greek, with at least 1 unit in each
• CLAS 101: Greek Literature or CLAS 102: Latin Literature or CLAS 111: Greek History or CLAS 112: Roman History or CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology or CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology
• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar

Greek

(5 units minimum)

• 3 units of Ancient Greek
• Two courses chosen from among our six surveys representing two different disciplines:

CLAS 101: Greek Literature or
CLAS 102: Latin Literature

CLAS 111: Greek History or
CLAS 112: Roman History

CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology or
CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology

• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar
• .5 unit of CLAS or GREK or LATN or Sanskrit or any approved cognate course taught in another department

The Greek major must include at least one CLAS course concentrating on Greece, usually CLAS 101, CLAS 111, or CLAS 121.

Latin

(5 units minimum)

• 3 units of Latin
• Two courses chosen from among our six surveys representing two different disciplines:

CLAS 101: Greek Literature or
CLAS 102: Latin Literature

CLAS 111: Greek History or
CLAS 112: Roman History

CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology or
CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology

• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar
• .5 unit of CLAS or GREK or LATN or Sanskrit or any approved cognate course taught in another department

The Latin major must include at least one course in CLAS concentrating on Rome, usually CLAS 102, CLAS 112, or CLAS 122.

Classical Civilization

(5 units minimum)

• 2 units of either Ancient Greek or Latin
• Three courses (1.5 units) chosen from among CLAS 101: Greek Literature; CLAS 102: Latin Literature; CLAS 111: Greek History; CLAS 112: Roman History; CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology; and CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology. (With permission of the department, a student may substitute another course in the department for one of these courses.)
• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar
• Two courses (1 unit) from CLAS or LATN or GREK or Sanskrit or any approved cognate course(s) taught in other departments.

Senior Exercise

To fulfill the Senior Exercise, each major must pass the appropriate sight translation examinations and the Senior Seminar. For detailed information about the Senior Exercise, please see www.kenyon.edu/x4941.xml.

Honors

Honors in classics involves a substantial senior thesis in the area of Greek, Latin, ancient history, or archaeology. The thesis is written in the senior year under the direction of an advisor, as an independent study. All honors students must take the Senior Seminar, unless they are double majors.

Students interested in pursuing honors are responsible for developing a concrete research plan that has the approval of their prospective advisor before the last day of classes during their junior year.

Requirements for the Minor

Students minoring in classics may choose any of the three forms of the minor: (1) minor with language emphasis, (2) minor with civilization emphasis, (3) minor with language and civilization emphasis. While the Senior Seminar, CLAS 471, is required of all minors, minors do NOT have to take the sight translation examinations that constitute part of the Senior Exercise. Students must declare their classics minor by November 1 of their senior year.

Classics Minor with Language Emphasis

(3 units minimum)

• 2.5 units of Ancient Greek, or 2 units of Latin, or 2 units of Latin and Greek courses (including, in all three cases, 1 unit of courses at the intermediate and/or advanced level)
• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar
• If necessary to complete 3 units, another course in CLAS or LATN or GREK or Sanskrit

Classics Minor with Civilization Emphasis

(3 units minimum)

• Three courses (1.5 units) chosen from among CLAS 101: Greek Literature; CLAS 102: Latin Literature; CLAS 111: Greek History; CLAS 112: Roman History; CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology; and CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology. (With permission of the department, a student may substitute another course in the department for one of these courses.)
• Two courses (1 unit) from CLAS or LATN or GREK or Sanskrit or any approved cognate courses taught in another department
• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar

Classics Minor with Language and Civilization Emphasis

(3 units minimum)

• 1 unit of Ancient Greek and/or Latin
• CLAS 471: Senior Seminar
• Two courses chosen from among our six surveys representing two different disciplines:

CLAS 101: Greek Literature or
CLAS 102: Latin Literature

CLAS 111: Greek History or
CLAS 112: Roman History

CLAS 121: Greek Archaeology or
CLAS 122: Roman Archaeology

• .5 unit from CLAS, LATN, GREK, Sanskrit, or any approved cognate course taught in another department

Cognate Courses

Several of the forms of the classics major and minor allow .5 unit or 1 unit of cognate courses taught in other departments to be used to meet requirements. These courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

ARHS 110: Survey of Art, Part I
ARHS 220: Greek Art
ARHS 221: Roman Art
DRAM 251: Classical Theater
HIST 437: Late Antiquity
IPHS 113Y-114Y: Odyssey of the West (.5 unit)
PHIL 200: Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 203: Hellenistic and Roman Philosophy
PHIL 353: Aristotle
PSCI 220: The Classical Quest for Justice
PSCI 421: Socrates Seminar
PSCI 422: Thucydides: War and Philosophy
RLST 225: The New Testament

To determine whether a particular course not on this list may be counted as a cognate course for a major or minor, the student should send a brief e-mail inquiry to all classics faculty members currently on campus.