CLASS-BA - Classics (BA)
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Program Overview
The mission of the undergraduate program in Classics is to provide students with a broad background centered on the literature and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, including Greek and Latin language, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology. At Stanford, students in the Classics program also explore the connections between ancient cultures and the modern world, as well as specialized fields such as ancient economics, law, papyrology, and science. The program’s faculty approaches Classics from an interdisciplinary perspective that crosses geographical, temporal, and thematic territories. The program is concerned not only with Greek and Roman civilization but also with the interaction of cultures and societies that influenced the ancient Mediterranean basin and continue to influence human society across the globe.
Preparing for the Major
Those interested in majoring in Classics are encouraged to declare by spring of sophomore year but are urged to discuss their plans with the Director of Undergraduate Studies as early as possible. Students who choose the Greek and Latin field of study should begin the curriculum as soon as possible because it is challenging to complete the language requirements without an early start; those with no previous knowledge of Latin or Greek should begin study in the freshman year, in a summer program following freshman year, or at the beginning of the sophomore year.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Unit Requirements by Subplan
Classical Studies Subplan: 60 units
Ancient History Subplan: 60 units
Greek Subplan: 60 units
Latin Subplan: 60 units
Greek and Latin Subplan: 65 units
Degree Requirements
A letter grade is required for all courses taken for the major. No course receiving a grade lower than C is counted toward fulfilling major requirements. Enrollment in an independent study section (course Directed Readings) requires the prior approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and a maximum of three such enrollments for a maximum total of 10 units may be counted toward the major. University credit earned by placement tests or advanced placement work in secondary school is not counted toward any major requirement in the department. Work done at other universities or colleges is subject to department evaluation and the university’s transfer credit process. Counting graduate courses or cognate courses toward the major requires advance approval by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students are encouraged to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss options for pursuing a study period in the Mediterranean region. (See Study Abroad below.)
Course Requirements
The BA degree may be earned by fulfilling the requirements for one of the following fields of study (subplans). These fields of study are declared in Axess. They appear on the transcript but not the diploma.
Study Abroad
Classics students may travel for several reasons: to complete accredited coursework (typically language courses or history surveys) for transfer toward the degree, to participate in archaeological digs of ancient sites, and to perform independent travel research related to an honors project or independent study. Students considering academic programs sponsored by other institutions are encouraged to review Stanford’s transfer credit policies and discuss possible programs with the Director of Undergraduate Studies before applying. Students seeking archaeological dig experience should inquire about opportunities through the Classics Department and the Stanford Archaeology Center. Students who want to construct an independent travel research project should discuss their goals and itinerary with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
While Classics-specific coursework is not always available through the Bing Overseas Program, students sometimes find Classics faculty at Bing campuses willing to provide independent instruction for credit. Pre-approval of courses and independent study syllabi by the Director of Undergraduate Studies is required for credit toward the major or minor.
Some departmental funding is available for summer language programs in the United States, and departmental funds are also available for travel and study in the Mediterranean. Students are encouraged to seek out multiple funding sources, including offerings from UAR, to supplement their departmental applications. After discussing their plans with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, students submit a departmental research grant application that includes expenses, a statement of purpose, and an endorsement by the student’s faculty advisor. Limited funding is available each year; preference is given to majors and students with strong records.
AY20-21 only, CLASSICS 170/ARCHLGY 103 also satisfies the WIM requirement.
For more details, see the Honors section below.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.6 within the major is required for students to enroll in the honors program. To be considered for honors in Classics, the student must select a tenure-track Classics professor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies who can supervise the honors thesis. A preliminary proposal, approved by the supervisor, is due April 15 of the junior year, and a final version of the proposal is due on the first day of classes in autumn quarter of the senior year. The proposal must outline the project in detail, list relevant courses taken, and name the supervisor. The department approves only if a suitable faculty supervisor is available and if it is satisfied that the student has a sufficient basis of knowledge derived from department coursework in the general areas the thesis covers, such as art, Greek, Latin, history, literature, or philosophy. If the proposal is approved, the student may sign up for course Undergraduate Thesis: Senior Research during the senior year for a maximum of 6 units per term, up to 10 units. If relevant, these units may be counted toward fulfilling the student’s major requirements. The final thesis is due in early May of senior year. Honors is awarded only if the thesis receives a grade of B+ or higher from the supervisor and a second reader, who is chosen by the student and approved by the department. In addition, students must do an honors thesis presentation in early June and graduate with a GPA of 3.6 or higher within the major to receive honors.
or complete one course in one of the languages at the intermediate-level or higher, plus the beginning series of the other language *1
*1 Language courses may be repeated for credit toward the degree only with advance written permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Only listed courses can be used to fulfill the language requirement.
*2 course Education as Self-Fashioning: The Transformation of the Self/course Education as Self-Fashioning: The Transformation of the Self (note that this is the same course) and autumn quarter SLE may count toward the major.
Complete at least 4 units in each of the following three areas *2
*1 Latin, Ancient Greek, and IntroSems courses may count toward this requirement if approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
*2 The courses chosen must be approved in advance by the Director of Undergraduate Studies and are usually selected from the list of areas noted.
At least 31 units of Ancient Greek courses at the intermediate level or higher. It is recommended that these include course /205A. This course should not be taken until students complete three years of Greek. (See notes 1 and 2.)
At least three additional CLASSICS courses from CLASSICS 30-99 or 110-197. (See note 3.)
*1 Language courses may be repeated for credit toward the degree only with advance written permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
*2 course Biblical Greek and CLASSICS 7G Byzantine Greek may be taken in satisfaction of the major’s language requirement
*3 ESF 7/ESF 7A (note that this is the same course) and autumn quarter SLE and/or IntroSems may count toward this requirement. Beginning Greek may count as long as at least 31 intermediate or advanced-level units are completed.
At least 31 units of Latin courses at the intermediate-level or higher. It is recommended that this include course, though this series should not be taken until students have completed three years of Latin. (See notes 1 and 2.)
At least three additional CLASSICS courses from CLASSICS 30-99 or 110-197. (See note 3.)
*1 Language courses may be repeated for credit toward the degree only with advance written permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
*2 course Latin 400-1700 CE may count toward the Latin intermediate-level language requirement. May be repeated for credit toward the degree with advance written permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
*3 ESF 7/ESF 7A (note that this is the same course), autumn quarter SLE and/or IntroSems may count toward this requirement. Beginning Latin may count as long as 31 intermediate or advanced units are completed.
At least 30 units of Latin courses at the intermediate level and higher. (See notes 1 and 2.)
OR at least 30 units of Latin at the beginning level and higher, as long as Greek is at the intermediate level and higher,
At least 30 units of Ancient Greek courses at the intermediate level and higher. (See notes 1 and 2.)
OR at least 30 units of Greek at the beginning level and higher, as long as Latin is at the intermediate level and higher
Recommended additional coursework in Biblical Greek, Sanskrit, or ancient history (see note 3)
*1 Language courses may be repeated for credit toward the degree only with advance written permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. course Biblical Greek or CLASSICS 7G Biblical Greek (not both) and course Latin 400-1700 CE may count as intermediate language levels.
*2 It is recommended that this include course (for Latin) and course (for Greek). But this series should not be taken until the advanced-level coursework in the relevant language is completed.
*3 Sanskrit is only allowed if Greek and Latin requirements are fulfilled with coursework at the intermediate level and above.