> Undergraduate Program in Classical Studies
To declare a major or minor, please contact the Undergraduate Department Chair.
THE FIELD
Classical Studies concerns itself with all aspects of ancient
Greek and Roman culture and its influence through the Middle
Ages and Renaissance up to the present day. As such, it focuses
not just on the classical languages and literatures but also
on material culture (e.g. archaeology), on economic, political,
social, and intellectual history, on philosophy, religion,
and myth, and on the classical tradition. Classical Studies,
then, differs from many other departments of the University
in that it is not so much a discipline as an interdisciplinary
area of study, and is of value to students with many different
interests and career plans.
THE DEPARTMENT
Penn has one of the most distinguished Classical Studies departments
in the country. We offer courses at all undergraduate levels,
from elementary language instruction to introductory and advanced
courses in literature, history, and archaeology. Many of these
require no knowledge of the languages and no other background.
Faculty regularly teach at all levels, and since most classes
are small, students have the opportunity to work closely with
their professors.
The undergraduate
program is further enhanced by the University's superb library
holdings in Classical Studies and by the University Museum,
which houses the country's largest archaeological collection.
In addition to majoring or minoring in Classical Studies, many
students come to our department to take elective courses or
to fulfill the Language Requirement or other parts of the General
Requirement (e.g. Arts and Letters, History and Tradition).
GENERAL OFFERINGS
The Department offers a wide range of courses on various aspects
of the classical world. Virtually none of these requires previous
background or language experience, many fulfill the University's
General Requirements, and many are cross-listed with other departments.
Among such courses are Classical Mythology, Male and Female
in Classical Greece, Ancient Theater, Ancient Medicine and Science,
and The Epic Tradition. Freshman Seminars and General Honors
courses are also offered each year.
THE MINOR
A minor in Classical Studies can serve as a useful complement
to undergraduate majors in many related areas. Students should
meet with the Undergraduate Chair to choose the appropriate
direction of study.
A minor in classical studies consists of six courses, configured
as follows:
Ancient History 026 or Ancient History 027, plus five other
courses as approved by the Undergraduate Chair. Please see the
Undergraduate Chair for further details.
THE MAJOR
There are two basic major tracks in Classical Studies:
Track 1: Classical Languages and Literature
Track 2: Classical Civilization
Both tracks have the same general structure, as follows:
Cluster 1: 2 core introductory courses: Ancient History 26 (History
of Ancient Greece) and Ancient History 27 (History of Ancient
Rome), which provide a chronological and cultural survey of
the period.
Cluster 2: 5 introductory / breadth courses. These may include
any Classical Studies, Anicent History, Greek or Latin course
numbered below 300.
Cluster 3: 5 advanced courses. These may include any Classical
Studies, Ancient History, Greek or Latin course numbered 300
or above.
Many courses in relevant programs other than Classical Studies
(e.g. art History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Anthropology,
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, etc.) may be included in Clusters
2 and 3, but students should seek approval for these from the
Undergraduate Chair.
The difference between the two major tracks is as follows:
Track 1 majors (Classical Languages and Literature) must take
at least 3 courses with Greek or Latin numbers in Cluster 3.
Track 2 majors (Classical Civilization) must take at least 3
courses with Classical Studies or Ancient History numbers (or
equivalent courses from other departments, as approved by the
Undergraduate Chair) in Cluster 3.
Honors Programs for Majors
Students with an average of 3.0 or better in major of related
courses are eligible to become candidates for honors. To achieve
honors the student must take one or two semesters of Latin or
Greek 399 (honors thesis) in his or her junior or senior year.
the honors thesis will be a substantial project guided by an
adviser and evaluated by a departmental committee.
Students who intend to do graduate work in Classical Philosophy,
Classical Archaeology, or Ancient History should gain facility
in both Latin and Greek. Those who intend to teach Latin in
secondary schools are encouraged to take at least one year of
Greek.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Each year the Classical Studies Department offers several prizes.
The George Allen Memorial Prize is awarded to juniors who complete
the best written examinations in either Greek or Latin. In addition,
the Senior Classics Prize is awarded annually to a graduating
student for outstanding academic performance. Penn- in-Greece,
a summer program, offers students the opportunity to travel
abroad, study classical sites, and earn 1 c.u. of credit. Students
who meet certain requirements are eligible to apply for membership
in Eta Sigma Phi, the national honorary fraternity for the Classics.
In addition, the department is a sponsor of the Intercollegiate
Center for Classical Studies in Rome, which offers the possibility
of a semester's worth of study abroad in an environment ideally
suited to all students interested in Classics.
In 2006-7 the Department of Classical Studies launched a new program designed
to promote the study of Hellenic culture at the University of Pennsylvania.
The program has been generously funded by the Stavros NIARCHOS Foundation,
and enables students, both undergraduate and graduate, to travel to Greece
for periods ranging from a few weeks in the summer to a full academic year.
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
Whether pursued as a major of minor, studied as an elective,
or used to fulfill the General Requirement, Classical Studies
provided a sound undergraduate liberal arts education. While
some Classical Studies students choose to pursue graduate study
in the field. most go on to careers in law, medicine, and business.
Increasingly employers and professional schools appreciate the
value of such an education that included courses from diverse
disciplines and that develops problem-solving abilities and
excellent verbal and writing skills.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT?---HERE'S WHAT...!
Outcomes from a sampling of CLST majors from the past half decade.
This sample represents a self-reporting group and so can be relied on
to give a thumbnail sketch, but not a complete picture -- we're working
to make the picture more complete wherever we can!
2% 3 ARTS / ENTERTAINMENT
1 executive assistant at a Hollywood studio
1 professional photographer of classical artwork
1 writer - TV comedy network
4% 5 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
4 administrative assistant
1 administrative manager
33% 43 EDUCATION
1 university administrator
21 college faculty
16 teacher
3 education administrator
2 graduate school in humanities / social sciences
7% 9 FINANCE
3 investment bank president / chairman of the board
1 bank assistant vice president
1 assistant comptroller - real estate investment firm
1 investment fund partner
1 investment manager
1 financial analyst
1 equity salesman
2% 2 GOVERNMENT (see also LAW)
1 systems administrator for US Senator
1 naval aviator
11% 14 HEALTH
1 hospital director
1 head of veterinary medicine at a university
8 physician
1 medical research coordinator
1 marketing manager for physicians
2 in medical school
26% 34 LAW
1 assistant attorney general
1 assistant district attorney
26 attorney
1 corporate counsel
5 in law school
7% 9 NON-PROFIT
1 library director
1 librarian
1 manager of social services non-profit
5 clergy
1 museum researcher
5% 6 PUBLISHING
1 antiquarian bookseller and Appraiser
1 associate product manager
1 author
1 marketing manager for large media company
1 marketing for textbook publishing
1 proofreader
5% 7 TECH
1 executive director of tech training firm
1 video game designer
2 information security specialists
1 president, communications firm
1 engineer
1 web developer
100% 132 TOTAL