Joint Concentrations in the Classics and Another Field

Students who wish to combine the study of the Classics and another field may pursue a joint concentration. One of the fields will be designated the “primary field” and the other the “allied field,” according to the student’s own choice. Joint concentrators have successfully integrated fields ranging from English to chemistry to music with Classics. One popular pairing involves Classics and History: a Joint Concentration in Ancient History (Greek and Roman). Potential Joint Concentrators should arrange a meeting with the DUS and upload a Plan of Study to my.harvard before the Joint Concentration can be approved.

A joint concentration is not comparable to the "double concentration." Whereas a double concentration requires that a student complete the full requirements of each field, a joint concentration normally involves combining the requirements of the two fields into a single course of study with approximately the same total number of courses as any other concentration—i.e., roughly half from each field.

A joint concentration in Classics requires seven courses from among those listed under Classics in the FAS Registrar's Course Catalog, including cross-listed courses. Like other Classics concentrators, students may choose to focus on "Classical Civilizations" or "Classical Languages and Literatures." Students should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the allied field to determine the other requirements for their joint concentration. 

Note that all joint concentrators are required to write a senior thesis and hence are eligible for Honors. The following table is a simplified version of the requirements. For complete details, please see Classics in Fields of Concentration.

The joint concentration also regularly accepts credit from Study Abroad toward concentration requirements.

Classical Civilizations and an Allied Field

  • Basic requirements: Seven courses.
  • One semester of Classical Studies 97a or 97b.
  • One semester of Classics 98 (must be taken for a letter-grade).
  • Two courses in Greek and/or Latin.
  • Classical Studies 112 Regional Studya multi-disciplinary and problem-based in-depth survey of a region of the ancient Mediterranean world, to be taken at any stage in the Concentration, provided either 97a or 97b has been completed or is being taken concurrently. 
  • Two additional courses from among those listed under Classics in the FAS Registrar's Course Catalog, including cross-listed courses.
  • Additional coursework as required by the allied field.
  • Honors: A senior thesis, which includes the completion of two semesters of either Classics 99 or the equivalent in the allied field, as appropriate.

Classical Languages and Literatures and Another Field

  • Basic requirements: Seven courses.
  • One semester of Classical Studies 97a or 97b.
  • One semester of Classics 98 (must be taken for a letter-grade).
  • Four courses in Greek and/or Latin, at least two of which must be at the 100- level or above, and at least one of which must be selected from the following list: GREEK 112A, GREEK 112B, GREEK 175, LATIN 112A, LATIN 112B, LATIN 175 (or equivalent in the case of Byzantine/Modern Greek and Medieval Latin).  
  • One additional course from among those listed under Classics in the FAS Registrar's Course Catalog, including cross-listed courses. 
  • Additional coursework as required by the allied field.
  • Honors: A senior thesis, which includes the completion of two semesters of either Classics 99 or the equivalent in the allied field, as appropriate.