2012-13 Pomona College Catalog

Nov 25, 2024

2012-13 Pomona College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG] Use the dropdown above to select the current 2024-25 catalog.

Classics Major

Classics is the study of the ancient Mediterranean world, including Greece, Rome, the Near East, and North Africa. The study of the Greco-Roman Classics was the original liberal arts curriculum, and is the original interdisciplinary scholarly endeavor. Classicists are trained in the ancient languages, in textual and literary criticism, in history both political and social, in archaeology, in religion, in philosophy, and many other scholarly approaches to the subject matter. The study of Ancient Greek and Latin constitutes the foundation of an education in the Classics. These two “dead” languages provide the medium through which Western literature, history, science, mathematics, and philosophy were originally formulated. The material record of the ancient Mediterranean is equally as rich, providing insight into the origins of, among other things, religion and urban life.

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 the Senior Project/Thesis (CLAS 191 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 then 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 the Senior Project/Thesis (CLAS 191 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.

At least three courses in mythology or classical literature in translation
At least three more courses in Greek
At least three more courses in Latin
CLAS 161 PZ
At least three courses in ancient history
PHIL 040 PO and two other courses in ancient philosophy
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.