DepartmentofClassics
2016-17AdvisingGuide
ClassicsMinor
PLEASENOTE:In2015-16theDepartmentthoroughlyrevisedthecurriculumoftheprograminClassics.Students
withacatalogyearof2016-17andaftershouldfollowtherevisedcurriculumasdetailedbelow.
Classics is the study of ancient Greece and Rome, which stand among the world's most
exciting,important,andinfluentialcivilizations.
GVSU’s program in Classics spans the many different aspects of the Greek and Roman world—its languages and
literatures,itsartandarchaeology,itshistory,itsreligiousandphilosophicaltraditions,itssocialandlegalforms—
fromtheBronzeAgetotheperiodofthelateRomanEmpireandearlyChristianity.
Forstudentswhopursueamajororminorinthefield,Classicsprovides abroadandsolidliberalartseducation
thatwillbeusefulinmanycareersandvitaltothedevelopmentoftheirfullhumancapacity.
Forstudentsinotherdisciplines,Classicsoffersavaluableopportunitytoinvestigateatfirsthandtheworksand
traditions that have provided much of the intellectual background of their own chosen fields. Many find that
workingwiththeclassicallanguagesimprovestheirgraspofEnglishandtheirskillsasreadersandwriters.
Classicscoursesshareanemphasisonencounteringtheclassicalworldthroughprimarysources,bothtextualand
material. Complementing this emphasis is the study of the living tradition that has shaped—and continues to
shape—thewaysinwhichweunderstandourworldtoday.
AncientGreekandLatin
Training in the classical languages represents the kind of serious mental rigor and discipline that is an excellent
trainingforavarietyofcareers.
Greek is the language of Homer and Sappho, of Aeschylus and Aristophanes, of Herodotus and Thucydides, of
PlatoandAristotle,and(initskoineor"common"form)oftheChristianNewTestament.
LatinwasthelanguageofancientRome.EvenaftertheRomanEmpirecollapsed,Latincontinuedasthelanguage
of literature, science, philosophy, medicine, law, and religion for over a thousand years: John Milton, Isaac
Newton,BaruchSpinoza,andThomasAquinasallwroteinthesamelanguageasCicero,Virgil,Caesar,andPlautus.
CareerOptions
Classicsstudents:
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Profitfromapracticaleducationthatoffersvaluablepre-professionaltrainingandmarketablejobskills.
Acquire and refine analytical and communications skills that make them better able to approach any
problemcreativelyandsuccessfully.
Distinguish themselves as scholars, work on archaeological excavations, participate in cultural events,
demonstrateleadershipandcommittedcitizenship,andtravelandstudyabroad.
Develop the study habits and work ethic needed for success in demanding graduate and professional
programsandinreal-worldcareers.
GVSUClassicsgraduateshavegoneontocareersasvariedas:
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Publicserviceandnonprofitadministration
Teaching
Law
Theministry
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Informationtechnology
Business
Libraryandmuseumwork
Writingandpublishing
DepartmentofClassics
2016-17AdvisingGuide
RequirementsforaMinorinClassics
The classics minor is designed to be flexible and to serve students with an interest in the classical world whose
plansdonotallowthemtocompletethemajor.Atthesametime,workdonetowardtheminoriscompletelyand
seamlesslytransferabletowardthemajor,shouldanopportunityarisetodoso.
Studentsminoringinclassicsarerequiredtocompleteatleast21credits.
AllClassicsminorstake:
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CLA195-IntroductiontoAncientGreeceandRomeCredits:1
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CLA395-ResearchMethodsinClassicsCredits:2
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Atleast6creditsofinstructionineitherancientGreekorLatinat200levelorabove.
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Atleast9creditsofinstructionatthe300leveloraboveinatleasttwoofthefollowingareas.
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Archaeology:
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CLA350-IssuesinClassicalArchaeologyCredits:3.Prerequisite:CLA250orHNR221/222.
CulturalStudies:
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CLA301-Re-imaginingtheClassicsCredits:3.Prerequisite:JuniorStanding.
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CLA302-TheStagesofGreekandRomanDramaCredits:3.Prerequisite:JuniorStanding.
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CLA/PHI311-AncientGreatPhilosophersCredits:3.Prerequisite:Priorworkinphilosophy,
classics,orpermissionofinstructor.
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CLA315-AncientReligionCredits:3.Prerequisite:WRT150.
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CLA/WGS325-Body,Gender,SexualityinAntiquityCredits:3.Prerequisite:Juniorstanding.
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CLA365-Stoicism,Identity,andtheHappyLifeCredits:3.Prerequisite:Juniorstanding.
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CLA367-ThinkingLikea(Roman)LawyerCredits:3.Prerequisite:Juniorstanding.
AncientGreek(GRK)orLatin(LAT)atthe300levelorabove.
Atleast3creditsofinstructioninanycourseinClassics(CLA),inHNR222-ClassicalWorldIICredits:3,or
inanapprovedsubstitute.
ContacttheDepartmentofClassicsinordertoreceiveindividualizedadvising.
ContactingtheDepartmentofClassics
The Department of Classics is a unit of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and participates in the
interdepartmentalMinorinArchaeology.ClassicsfacultyholdjointappointmentsintheMeijerHonorsCollegeand
contributetootherprograms.
The Department offers a complete preparation for students seeking a wide range of post-graduate and career
opportunities.Yetitremainssmallenoughtoallowourfacultytogettoknowallofourstudentsindividuallyand
toworkwiththemclosely.
DepartmentofClassics
260LakeHuronHall
(616)331-3600
[email protected]
www.gvsu.edu/classics
GrandValleyStateUniversity
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