2015-16 Pomona College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2015-16 Pomona College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG] Use the dropdown above to select the current 2023-24 catalog.

Classics Major


Requirements for the Major in Classics


The department offers two options for the major. The option in Classical Languages and Literatures is designed for students who want to study classical languages in depth and is appropriate for students who want to go on to graduate study in Classics or related fields. The option in Classical Studies is designed for students who want a background in classical civilization while they plan a career in law, medicine, business or other pursuits for which a liberal arts education is appropriate. Under the Classical Studies option, students may emphasize classical literature (including mythology), Greek, Latin, ancient art and archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy or ancient political theory.

Students pursuing either option are encouraged to study abroad in Athens or Rome.
 

Classical Languages and Literatures


To complete the option in Classical Languages and Literatures, a student is required to complete a total of 10 courses in Greek and Latin, plus the Senior Seminar (CLAS 190 PO ) and either the Senior Thesis (CLAS 191 PO ) or the Senior Project (CLAS 192 PO ). The student must complete at least three courses in each of the two languages chosen. (CLAS 103 PO  and CLAS 104 PO  are half-courses; these courses may be repeated for course credit but no more than one full credit in either of these courses may count towards the Classics major.) Up to three courses in classical civilization, art history, history, philosophy, political theory or religion may be substituted for language courses, if warranted by the student’s program and if approved by the advisor.

Students who intend to pursue graduate study in Classics or related fields are further advised to take at least two courses in French and/or German and at least one course in Greek or Latin composition.

Classical Studies


To complete the option in Classical Studies, a student is required to complete at least 10 courses plus the Senior Seminar (CLAS 190 PO ) and either the Senior Thesis (CLAS 191 PO ) or the Senior Project (CLAS 192 PO ). At least three courses must be in Greek, Latin or Classical Hebrew and at least one must be numbered 100 or above. (CLAS 103 PO  is a half-course.) In addition, the following courses are suggested, depending on the emphasis selected.

  1. At least three courses in mythology or classical literature in translation
  2. At least three more courses in Greek
  3. At least three more courses in Latin
  4. CLAS 161 PZ  
  5. At least three courses in ancient history
  6. PHIL 040 PO  and two other courses in ancient philosophy
  7. Either HIST 103A CM  or HIST 103B CM , and either POLI 001A PO  or GOVT 164 CM  

The remaining courses may be chosen from the offerings of the Classics Department, including Independent Study courses (199) or from appropriate courses in other departments.

Each student’s program must be designed as early as possible in the student’s career, in consultation with the student’s academic advisor in the Classics Department with a view to coherence and depth and must be approved by the Classics Department. Students are encouraged to take additional courses in relevant related departments.