Department of Classical StudiesDeclaring is easy: Have a look at the various major and minor options, including the major concentrations/tracks. Then please set up a meeting with the undergraduate chair, Prof. Cam Grey, through his calendly link. In your meeting you can consult with him about your concentration as you will need to have decided upon one in order to fill out your major declaration form. Then please fill out the Declare/Update Field of Study form found on the Path@Penn or the PATH Forms Page. Once you meet with Prof. Grey and he approves your form, you will be declared.
Below you can follow the links for more information on minors, majors and concentrations.
The Minors (six courses)
There are two choices of minor in the Classical Studies department:
- The Minor in Classical Studies can accommodate a large variety of courses and topics (including courses primarily in Latin or Greek).
- The Minor in Ancient History is more specific to the content and methods of historical study, and may include a focus on other ancient mediterranean and global cultures, not just Greece and Rome.
The Majors (twelve courses)
The department offers essentially four choices of major:
The Major in Classical Studies can take any one of three different tracks:
- Track 1: Classical Languages and Literature caters to students for whom Latin and/or Greek are central to their coursework.
- Track 2: Classical Civilizations is the most flexible track: it can accommodate many different combinations of courses, with no language requirement. At the same time, however, students are encouraged to pursue a concentration in one (or a combination) of the following specific areas: archaeology, history, intellectual culture, language, literature, reception.
- Track 3: Mediterranean Archaeology centers on the content and methods of archaeology and material culture.
The Major in Ancient History is more specific to the content and methods of historical study, and may include a focus on other ancient mediterranean and global cultures, not just Greece and Rome.
Honors
Students majoring in Classical Studies or Ancient History may consider pursuing in the major by proposing, researching, and writing a Senior Research Paper.
Double majoring
Approximately half our majors are double-majors: recent students have combined Classical Studies or Ancient History with a major in Anthopology, Biology, English, History, History of Art, Political Science, Psychology—and others.
Combined B.A./M.A. in Classical Studies
A student pursuing a major in Classical Languages and Literature may apply to "submatriculate" and thereby work toward an M.A. at the same time as the B.A. Submatriculation allows an outstanding and committed undergraduate to pursue a substantial program of graduate-level coursework and research, which culminates in the senior year.