Classics

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Courses

Classics

Chair: Carin M. Green
Professors: Helena Dettmer, John F. Finamore, Carin M. Green
Professors emeriti: Erling B. Holtsmark, Roger A. Hornsby, Donald F. Jackson
Adjunct professor: Peter Green
Associate professors: Mary J. Depew, Craig Gibson, Robert C. Ketterer, Glenn R. Storey
Assistant professors: Rosemary Moore, Jessica Wissmann
Adjunct assistant professor: Marcia Lindgren
Undergraduate degrees: B.A. in Ancient Civilization, Classical Languages
Undergraduate nondegree programs: Minors in Ancient Civilization, Classical Languages, Greek, Latin; Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics
Graduate degrees: M.A. in Classics, Greek, Latin; Ph.D. in Classics
Web site: http://www.uiowa.edu/~classics

Classics is the study of ancient languages, literatures, and cultures of the Mediterranean basin from approximately 2000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. It embraces three civilizations--the Minoan-Mycenaean, Greek, and Roman; two languages--Greek and Latin; and a geographical area including Europe, North Africa, Egypt, and the Near East. The Department of Classics provides a basis for understanding and interpreting the contribution of the ancient world to life in the present and the future.

Undergraduate Programs

The department offers the Bachelor of Arts in ancient civilization and in classical languages (Greek and/or Latin). Both majors provide a solid foundation for graduate study in classics, European literature, law, history, art, philosophy, and religion. Graduates have become secondary school and university teachers, lawyers, doctors, librarians, museum curators, and bankers.

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages

The Bachelor of Arts in classical languages trains students to read the ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and acquaints them with the major works of Greek and/or Roman literature. Students learn about the history of ancient Greece of the eighth through the fourth centuries B.C.E., where most of the modern Western notions of political, artistic, and social life are rooted. They also develop an understanding of the Roman Republic and Empire, when Rome established its hegemony over the Mediterranean basin, laid the foundation of law for the Western World, and spread Greece's culture to the West.

The B.A. in classical languages requires a minimum of 36 s.h. in the major. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. The following course work is required.

Intermediate or advanced Greek and/or Latin courses

(20G:011-20G:199, 20L:011-20L:199) 18 s.h.

Greek or Latin prose composition (20G:176 or 20L:171) 3 s.h.

Additional Department of Classics courses at any level,

with no more than 9 s.h. in 20E courses 15 s.h.

The advanced undergraduate Greek courses 20G:120-20G:121 Archaic and Classical Periods I-II and 20G:122-20G:123 Classical and Hellenistic Periods I-II are offered every other year and may be repeated or taken in any sequence. They cover a broad range of prose and poetry in historical context.

The advanced undergraduate Latin courses 20L:120-20L:121 Latin Literature of the Republic I-II and 20L:122-20L:123 Latin Literature of the Empire I-II are offered every other year and may be repeated or taken in any sequence. They cover a range of Latin prose and poetry in historical context from the mid-Republic to the third century C.E.

To comply with the Board of Regents, State of Iowa policy on student outcomes assessment, the Department of Classics has established a method to assess the achievement level of B.A. students completing one of the department's majors. Every student maintains a portfolio that details his or her progress in attaining the objectives of the major. The student submits the portfolio to the undergraduate advisor by midterm of the semester in which the student intends to graduate. Formal approval of the portfolio is required for graduation. Consult the undergraduate advisor for details.

Teacher Licensure in Latin

For information about Teacher Education Programs and licensure, contact the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services in the College of Education; see Education in the Catalog.

Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Civilization

The Bachelor of Arts in ancient civilization is sponsored by the Departments of Classics, History, and Religious Studies and the School of Art and Art History. It concentrates on the ancient civilization of the Mediterranean world, draws on courses offered by various University departments, and allows students to create individual programs. Although the major is not preparation for graduate study in classics, it provides a sound basis for preparing teachers at the secondary school and junior college levels. It also provides a sound liberal arts and sciences basis for preprofessional training in law, medicine, and other professions.

The B.A. in ancient civilization requires a minimum of 30 s.h. in the major. The following course work is required.

Ancient art 6 s.h.

Ancient history 6 s.h.

Ancient philosophy or religion 6 s.h.

Classics, may be 20E courses or Latin or Greek language courses 9 s.h.

Appropriate courses in art, history, philosophy, religion, or linguistics 3 s.h.

At least 15 of the 30 s.h. must be advanced (20E courses at the 100 level, and Latin and Greek language courses numbered 20G:011 and 20G:012, or 20L:011 and 20L:012, or above). Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan. (Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.)

B.A. in Ancient Civilization

Before the third semester begins: at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least two courses in the major and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least six courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least eight courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

B.A. in Classical Languages: Greek and Latin

Before the third semester begins: Elementary Latin I-II or Elementary Greek I-II, and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: Second-Year Latin I-II and Elementary Greek I-II, or Second-Year Greek I-II and Elementary Latin I-II, and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: sixth semester of Latin and fourth semester of Greek, or sixth semester of Greek and fourth semester of Latin, two more courses in the major, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: one semester of composition in either Greek or Latin (may be completed during the eighth semester) and two more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

B.A. in Classical Languages: Greek Only

Before the third semester begins: Elementary Greek I-II and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: Second-Year Greek I-II and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: three or four more courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: two or three more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

B.A. in Classical Languages: Latin Only

Before the third semester begins: Elementary Latin I-II and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: Second-Year Latin I-II and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: three or four more courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: two or three more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program requires that students maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 (contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information). Classics seniors who are members of the Honors Program and who have attained a g.p.a. of at least 3.50 in their first three years of classics courses may graduate with honors in classical languages or ancient civilization by completing two courses in honors reading, one each semester of the senior year, for 3 s.h. of credit each. The readings and discussions are on an ancient author or a field in ancient history or literature chosen by students and the instructor. During the first semester, students present an essay every other week; at the end of the second semester, they present a long paper, which is read and judged for honors by two members of the department. Students who write an honors thesis in classical languages must be enrolled at the same time in the appropriate advanced language courses.

Minors

The department offers minors in Greek, Latin, classical languages, and ancient civilization. All minors require a g.p.a. of at least 2.00.

Students may count one relevant advanced 20E course toward any classics minor. Only 3 s.h. of lower-level transfer course work may be counted toward a minor. Students earning a major in classical languages or ancient civilization, or a minor in classical languages, Greek, Latin, or ancient civilization, may count toward the minor no more than 6 s.h. of course work used to satisfy requirements for another major, minor, or certificate, including majors and minors in the Department of Classics.

All upper-level course work must be completed in University of Iowa courses. For a list of relevant courses, contact the undergraduate advisor. Students who enter with high school Latin or Greek should consult the advisor for an appropriate course schedule.

Classical Languages

The minor in classical languages requires a minimum of 18 s.h. The sequences 20G:011-20G:012 Second-Year Greek I-II and 20L:011-20L:012 Second-Year Latin I-II are considered advanced for the minor, as are all Department of Classics courses numbered 100 or above. Students may satisfy the requirements for a minor by completing the intermediate-level courses plus two 100-level courses, one of which may be a relevant course in Greek or Roman history, culture, or literature offered by the Department of Classics and taught in English (prefix 20E).

Students earning a major in classical languages or ancient civilization or a minor in classical languages, Greek, Latin, or ancient civilization may count toward the minor no more than 6 s.h. of course work used to satisfy requirements for another major, minor, or certificate, including majors and minors in the Department of Classics.

Greek

The minor in Greek requires a minimum of 15 s.h.; at least 12 s.h. must be earned in advanced courses. The sequence 20G:011-20G:012 Second-Year Greek I-II is considered advanced for the minor, as are all Department of Classics courses numbered 100 or above. Students may satisfy the requirements for the minor by completing the intermediate level plus two 100-level courses, one of which may be a relevant course in Greek history, culture, or literature offered by the Department of Classics and taught in English (prefix 20E).

Students earning a major in classical languages or ancient civilization, or a minor in classical languages, Greek, Latin, or ancient civilization, may count toward the minor no more than 6 s.h. of course work used to satisfy requirements for another major, minor, or certificate, including majors and minors in the Department of Classics.

Latin

The minor in Latin requires a minimum of 15 s.h.; at least 12 s.h. must be earned in advanced courses. The sequence 20L:011-20L:012 Second-Year Latin I-II is considered advanced for the minor, as are all Department of Classics courses numbered 100 or above. Students may satisfy the requirements for the minor by completing the intermediate level plus two 100-level courses, one of which may be a relevant course in Roman history, culture, or literature offered by the Department of Classics and taught in English (prefix 20E).

Ancient Civilization

The minor in ancient civilization requires a minimum of 15 s.h.; at least 12 s.h. must be earned in advanced courses. All courses in Greek numbered 20G:011 or above and all courses in Latin numbered 20L:011 or above are considered advanced for the minor. Appropriate courses in art, religion, history, and philosophy, as approved by the undergraduate advisor, also may be counted toward a minor in ancient civilization.

Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics

The Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics is designed for students who have a baccalaureate and wish further study in Greek and Latin in order to be competitive for admission to a graduate program in classics. Entry to most such programs requires study of both Latin and Greek, preferably three years in one language and two years in the other.

The certificate is designed to be completed in two semesters by students who enter with two years of Latin and one to two years of Greek, or vice versa. It requires 18 s.h. in Department of Classics courses numbered 100 or above (upper-level and graduate courses), including at least 12 s.h. in Greek and Latin language courses. The remaining 6 s.h. may be taken in approved advanced 20E courses. Transfer credit is not accepted toward the certificate. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 to remain in good standing and complete the program.

A typical plan of study for a student who enters the program with two years of Latin and one year of Greek is as follows.

Fall semester:

20G:011 Second-Year Greek I 3 s.h.

20L:120 Latin Literature of the Republic I 3 s.h.

20L:171 Elementary Latin Composition 3 s.h.

Spring semester:

20G:012 Second-Year Greek II 3 s.h.

20L:121 Latin Literature of the Republic II 3 s.h.

Postbaccalaureate reading course 3 s.h.

A typical plan of study for a student who enters the program with two years of Latin and two years of Greek is as follows.

Fall semester:

20G:120 Archaic and Classical Periods I 3 s.h.

20L:120 Latin Literature of the Republic I 3 s.h.

20L:171 Elementary Latin Composition 3 s.h.

Spring semester:

20G:121 Archaic and Classical Periods II 3 s.h.

20L:121 Latin Literature of the Republic II 3 s.h.

Postbaccalaureate reading course 3 s.h.

Students who complete the program successfully receive a certificate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a letter from the Department of Classics.

Admission

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of two years of language study (two years of Latin or two years of Greek, or one year of each). In unusual circumstances, students with less language preparation may be admitted.

Applicants who are not enrolled in a graduate or professional program may apply to The University of Iowa as nondegree students; they also must apply separately to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for admission to the classics postbaccalaureate certificate program. They must submit transcripts confirming preparation for certificate language study, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation from faculty members at their baccalaureate institution.

Language for Nonmajors

Nonmajors who wish to study Greek or Latin and who have background in either language should take either the Greek Foreign Language Placement Test or the Latin Foreign Language Placement Test, offered during summer orientation programs and monthly by Evaluation and Examination Service. The tests help determine the level at which a student should begin Greek or Latin language study at The University of Iowa.

Students who want to complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program foreign language component by studying Greek should take 20G:001-20G:002 Elementary Greek I-II and 20G:011-20G:012 Second-Year Greek I-II. Students who want to complete the component by studying Latin may choose 20L:001-20L:002 Elementary Latin I-II (20L:001 is prerequisite for 20L:002) and 20L:011-20L:012 Second-Year Latin I-II (20L:011 is prerequisite for 20L:012). Both courses must be taken to complete the General Education Program foreign language component.

Graduate Programs

The department offers the Master of Arts in classics, Greek, and Latin; and the Doctor of Philosophy in classics.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Master of Arts

The M.A. in classics, Greek, or Latin requires a minimum of 30 s.h. in courses numbered 101 and above. Students may count no more than 12 s.h. earned in courses numbered 101-199 toward the degree. Courses taken to compete the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics may not be counted toward the degree.

Students must pass a sight examination in the language(s) studied and an examination on literature and history.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. in classics requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of course work, including the courses listed below (27 s.h.). Students may count no more than 12 s.h. earned in courses numbered 101-199 toward the degree. Courses taken to complete the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Classics may not be counted toward the degree.

Students also must take precomprehensive and comprehensive examinations and write a dissertation.

REQUIRED COURSES

20G:176 Greek Composition (or equivalent)

3 s.h.

20G:204 Archaic Greek Literature

3 s.h.

20G:205 Classical and Hellenistic Literature

3 s.h.

20L:204 Republican Literature

3 s.h.

20L:205 Imperial Literature

3 s.h.

20L:272 Advanced Latin Composition (or equivalent)

3 s.h.

Two graduate-level courses in cognate subjects

such as anthropology, art history, linguistics,

philosophy, or rhetoric

6 s.h.

Other interdisciplinary courses (with approval of the graduate advisor)

The remaining course work is made up of Department of Classics and other courses.

PH.D. EXAMINATIONS

Ph.D. students must take precomprehensive exams in Latin sight reading and Greek sight reading and must attempt one sight reading exam by the end of their first year of graduate study. Competence in reading both German and French must be demonstrated by the close of the second year of study.

Students must file a request for the comprehensive exam at least three weeks before the date of the exam. They must take the second-year exam at the end of their second year. The remaining exams may be taken in any sequence.

Sight exam in Latin: four hours, written

Sight exam in Greek: four hours, written

Second-year exam on literature and history: four hours, written

Latin literature based on reading list: three hours, written and one hour oral

Greek literature based on reading list: three hours, written and one hour oral

Greek and Roman history based on reading list: three hours, written

Special field or author (Greek): four hours, written

Special field or author (Latin): four hours, written

Facilities

The University of Iowa Main Library and the Art Library house extensive collections of classical texts and uninterrupted runs of classical periodicals from 1850 that facilitate research in the major areas of Greek and Roman civilization. The Department of Classics has a varied collection of slides on classical subjects and a small library. The department's classical museum contains a small collection of coins, vases, and facsimiles in bronze from Mycenae, Pompeii, and Herculaneum.

The University is a supporting institution of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the American Academy in Rome, thereby making those facilities available to its faculty and students. Students in residence are encouraged to participate in summer programs at both institutions.

The department offers students the opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig during the summer. Contact the Department of Classics in mid-February for details.

Courses

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Page content was reviewed in September 2007.


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