Ancient Studies/Classics Major

Track 1: Classical Languages

A major in Classical Languages requires a minimum of 11 courses.

• At least four courses in one language (i.e., Greek or Latin), two of which must be at the advanced level.
• At least three courses in the other language, one of which must be at the advanced level. 
  • Note: In terms of course credit for language courses in Greek and Latin,  LATN 057 Intermediate/Advanced Readings in Latin , LATN 103 Readings in Medieval Latin , and GREK 104 Readings in Koine Greek  are half-courses: these may be repeated for course credit only twice (totaling one full course credit that may count towards the language requirement for the major).
• At least two additional courses in literature, history, archaeology, and reception studies are to be chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser.
• Senior Seminar in Ancient Studies/Classics CLAS 190  
• Senior Thesis CLAS 191  

For students intending to pursue graduate study in Ancient Studies/Classics, a command of both Greek and Latin is essential (preferably with proficiency in both languages through the Advanced level); however, requirements for graduate programs do vary. Additionally, basic reading skills in French, German, or Italian is strongly recommended (i.e., at least two courses in the language). Interested students should talk with the departmental faculty members early in their academic careers to plan for graduate school.

Track 2: Ancient Studies

A major in Ancient Studies requires a minimum of 11 courses.

• A sequence of at least three courses in Greek or Latin; LATN 057 Intermediate/Advanced Readings in Latin , LATN 103 Readings in Medieval Latin , and GREK 104 Readings in Koine Greek  are half-courses: these may be repeated for course credit only twice (totaling one full course credit that may count towards the language requirement for the major).
• Four courses; one in each of the following:
  • history (e.g., HIST010 PO , HIST103A CM );
  • archaeology (e.g., CLAS161 PZ , CLAS162 PZ );
  • literature (e.g., CLAS001 PO , CLAS012 SC , CLAS018 SC , CLAS114 SC ); and
  • reception studies (e.g., CLAS010 SC , CLAS012 SC , CLAS019 SC ).
• At least two additional courses in literature, history, archaeology, and/or reception studies are to be chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser.
• Senior Seminar in Ancient Studies/Classics CLAS 190  
• Senior Thesis CLAS 191  

Late Antique-Medieval Studies (LAMS)

Late Antique-Medieval Studies (LAMS) is the study of the Mediterranean and Near East in the periods known as Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, that is, from the third to the fifteenth centuries CE. Late Antiquity witnessed the Christianization of the Roman Empire, the rise of the “barbarian kingdoms” in the west, and the emergence and spread of Islam in the east and south. Despite the competing political and religious claims, the ties between the greater Latin, Greek, and Arabic cultures that shared the Mediterranean basin in the Middle Ages remained strong. Not only did each of these cultures identify with an Abrahamic religious tradition, but each saw itself as an heir to the rich secular traditions of the Greek and Roman, as well as the Persian empires. Students of LAMS explore these fertile cultural encounters from a fresh, multi-disciplinary perspective with appropriate attention to the original languages: Greek, Latin, and Arabic. LAMS is a cooperative intercollegiate program. Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Classical Hebrew may be taken to fulfill the Scripps College foreign language requirement. Courses taken P/NC may not be counted toward either major or the minor.

Requirements for the Major in Late Antique-Medieval Studies (LAMS)

A major in Late-Antique-Medieval Studies requires a minimum of 11 courses plus a senior seminar and a thesis. Course requirements include:

• At least three courses in one of the following languages: Greek, Latin, or Arabic. (At least one course must be numbered 100 or above; LATN103 PO Readings in Medieval Latin  and GREK104 PO Readings in Koine Greek  are half-courses and must be taken twice to count as one of the three courses in Latin and Greek respectively). Note: Hebrew also qualifies as a LAMS language, but at present it is not regularly offered at the Claremont Colleges.
• At least three courses from the Ancient offerings in Classics, including: Ancient History: HIST010 PO The Ancient Mediterranean  and two additional Ancient courses in any subfield.
• At least five courses from the LAMS offerings, including: LAMS History: HIST011 PO Medieval Mediterranean  and four additional LAMS courses drawn from the four LAMS subfields. (At least two of these courses must be “upper division” courses.)
• Senior Seminar
• Senior Thesis

LAMS students are expected to work with LAMS faculty members to design a cohesive and viable curriculum around their particular interests.