Classical Studies (BA, minor)

Program Overview

Classical studies is offered through the Department of Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (MEAMS). Major tracks in Classics offer coursework in the cultures, languages, and literatures of the ancient Mediterranean, with a focus on ancient Greece and Rome.

Degrees Offered

• BA in Classical Civilization
• BA in Classics, Greek and Latin
• BA in Latin

Minors

• Latin
• Mediterranean Archaeology
• Classical Civilization
• Classics, Greek and Latin

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Internship possibilities may reflect your larger interests such as a legal, medical, government or business, and could even include an archeological field school experience.

Study abroad is highly recommended.

Coursework

Some courses to consider in your first year:

• LAT 101 - Elementary Latin I

  First of two semesters of essential grammar and basic vocabulary for reading classical (and any other) Latin texts. First half (20 chapters) of the assigned textbook expected to be finished in the semester, giving the student the foundation of a Latin reading ability. For majors and non-majors. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• GRK 101 - Elementary Ancient Greek I

  Ancient Greek grammar, vocabulary at the elementary level. Reading of simple texts, including actual quotations from ancient authors. Ancient Greek civilization topics to go along with readings. Translation from Greek into English. For majors and non-majors. Format may vary by sections: Class participation and attendance required; frequent homework assignments; quizzes, tests. See more at: http://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~grk101 Levels: Undergraduate

• CLAS 215 - Ancient Tragedy, Greece & Rome

  Whereas today the word "tragedy" conjures up images of disaster and suffering, in classical Athens, tragedy above all meant entertainment for a mass audience. But what beyond entertainment did tragedy offer? Is the suffering it depicted wholly foreign to modern sensibilities? Or do we moderns find there something to identify with? In this course, students will pursue that and similar questions. By studying the tragic drama of ancient Greece and Rome in English translation, and by comparing it to select instances of ancient comedy and to more recently produced tragedy, they shall deepen their understanding of an art form that boldly explored human existence at the extremes. Levels: Undergraduate

• CLAS 212 - Greek and Roman Biography

  In addition to their general fascination with history, Greeks and Romans, like most modern societies, developed strong interest in the public and private lives of the most famous personalities from their political and cultural traditions. Through reading and discussion of the famous biographies of Plutarch and Suetonius, as well as some lesser known biographical sketches, the Gospel of Luke and some ancient lives of saints, and a modern compilation of lives of famous Roman women, we will examine values and events that helped shape ancient and modern western civilization. Levels: Undergraduate

• CLAS 350 - Saints and Sinners

  In this course we will study the lives of folks who lived during the Classical and Late Antique Periods in the Greco‐Roman Mediterranean and who were considered by their contemporaries and later authors to have lead saintly lives. We examine what saintliness and sinfulness meant in the period under consideration (ca. 10 CE – 600CE) and how they were constructed, which cultural and political forces were at work to make this so, and how the genre of hagiography came to be. Lives to be read include Antony of Egypt, Simeon Stylites, Mary of Egypt, Mary/Marinos, and others. 4 credits. Offered regularly. Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

A degree in classics provides an excellent launching pad for careers in almost any intellectually demanding field. For example, classics majors enjoy a distinct edge when applying to law school. But the degree applies across the board, from business to education to government to medicine (double majoring in biology and in a humanities field like classics can be a good strategy for medical school applicants.) In addition, this program emphasizes critical thinking and writing, and oral presentation.

Career and career field possibilities are vast, but include:

• business
• editor
• grant writer
• lawyer
• legislative aide
• librarian
• public administrator
• speech writer
• teacher
• technical writer
• university/college professor