New Latin and Greek majors and minors offered
Betsy Woodruff
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: News
The classical studies department began offering majors in Latin and Greek as well as classical studies, which will allow students to focus more intensively on ancient language than ancient culture.
The Educational Policies Committee approved of this change last year. This is the first semester students can declare majors in Latin or Greek.
"It's mostly to allow students to maneuver within the classical studies department and get what they need," Chairman of Classical Studies David Jones said.
One reason for the change was that many students who wanted to study Latin were more interested in the Medieval period, the Renaissance or preparing for seminary than in studying the classical world.
Also, Jones said, many graduate programs want students to show true competence in both Greek and Latin. Because of this, the Greek and Latin majors may look more competitive on resumes since they will require four full years of language study and comprehensive exams that will be more challenging than those required for classics majors.
Students can find a complete list of requirements for the Latin and Greek majors in the course catalogue. They require roughly the same number of credits as the classical studies major. The Latin and Greek majors will still require students to take courses in literature and translation, civilization and Greek mythology.
"Mythology is so important to ancient culture that if you don't understand how myth works, you're at a distinct disadvantage for understanding anything about that culture," Jones said.
The change has garnered mostly positive feedback from faculty and students, Jones said.
"It's one of those things that's non-divisive," he said.
Many students have already chosen to major in Latin instead of classics.
Jones said that Greek and Latin majors will work well as parts of a double major, especially with English, history and philosophy.
Alison Roberts, a junior, has already switched her major from classics to Latin. She originally planned to major in classics because of her love of Latin. The language always interested her more than ancient Roman history. She will be finished with her major next semester because she was able to test into level 201 as a freshman, and she will use her free time to pick up an English minor.
The Educational Policies Committee approved of this change last year. This is the first semester students can declare majors in Latin or Greek.
"It's mostly to allow students to maneuver within the classical studies department and get what they need," Chairman of Classical Studies David Jones said.
One reason for the change was that many students who wanted to study Latin were more interested in the Medieval period, the Renaissance or preparing for seminary than in studying the classical world.
Also, Jones said, many graduate programs want students to show true competence in both Greek and Latin. Because of this, the Greek and Latin majors may look more competitive on resumes since they will require four full years of language study and comprehensive exams that will be more challenging than those required for classics majors.
Students can find a complete list of requirements for the Latin and Greek majors in the course catalogue. They require roughly the same number of credits as the classical studies major. The Latin and Greek majors will still require students to take courses in literature and translation, civilization and Greek mythology.
"Mythology is so important to ancient culture that if you don't understand how myth works, you're at a distinct disadvantage for understanding anything about that culture," Jones said.
The change has garnered mostly positive feedback from faculty and students, Jones said.
"It's one of those things that's non-divisive," he said.
Many students have already chosen to major in Latin instead of classics.
Jones said that Greek and Latin majors will work well as parts of a double major, especially with English, history and philosophy.
Alison Roberts, a junior, has already switched her major from classics to Latin. She originally planned to major in classics because of her love of Latin. The language always interested her more than ancient Roman history. She will be finished with her major next semester because she was able to test into level 201 as a freshman, and she will use her free time to pick up an English minor.
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