Concentrations
Concentrations
The Department of the Classics offers two concentration tracks: Classical Civilizations and Classical Languages and Literatures. The Classical Civilizations concentration track is for students primarily interested in exploring ancient Greek and Roman cultures through an archaeological, historical, or philosophical lens.
The basic requirements for each track are twelve courses. The two differ primarily in the distribution between courses in Greek and/or Latin and courses requiring only English. No prior knowledge of a classical language is necessary to pursue either track. Students will acquire some language proficiency in each track.
Students may study classics as part of a double concentration. Such students will fulfill concentration requirements in their chosen track as normal, while also separately completing requirements in their other concentration. The student’s chosen two fields of study cannot substantially overlap, and only eight credits (usually two courses) can be double counted towards both concentrations. Double concentrators may elect to write a thesis in either, or both, concentrations, but will only be eligible for honors in one concentration. For more information on double concentrations, see the registrar's description.
For complete details, please see Classics in "Fields of Concentration" or email classicsDUS@fas.harvard.edu.
Basic requirements: twelve courses.
- Two courses providing a broad introduction to classical civilization, normally CLS-STDY 97A and CLS-STDY 97B.
- Four language courses, normally Greek and/or Latin. With DUS approval of a written proposal outlining the academic rationale, at most two of these four courses may be in other ancient or modern languages. Note: Introductory language courses are intended to be taken sequentially. Students may not earn concentration credit for completion of a course sequentially prior to one in which they have already earned a passing grade.
- One semester of CLASSIC 98, a small-group tutorial, is required of all concentrators in the junior year. The tutorial emphasizes the development of research skills through a close examination of a topic in Greek and Roman literature and/or Greco-Roman civilization.
- CLS-STDY 112, a multidisciplinary and problem-based in-depth survey of a region of the ancient Mediterranean world, to be taken at any stage in the concentration, provided that both CLS-STDY 97A and CLS-STDY 97B have been completed or the second of these is being taken concurrently.
Four additional courses from among those listed under “Classics” in the course search in my.harvard.edu, including cross-listed courses and either HUMAN 10A or HUMAN 10B. Other courses may be counted with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Note: Two courses counted for the concentration may be taken pass/fail or, in the case of approved First-Year Seminars, SAT/UNS. CLASSIC 98 and CLS-STDY 112 must be taken for a letter grade.
Honors: In addition to the basic requirements set out above, all concentrators in Classical Civilizations who wish to be considered for honors must write a senior thesis by completing two semesters of the senior tutorial, CLASSIC 99. The thesis must be submitted to the department office on or before the Friday preceding the spring recess. The length of the thesis should be determined by the student and the thesis advisor but should not ordinarily exceed 60 pages of text.
Additional requirements for Honors eligibility
- A senior thesis, together with two semesters of the senior tutorial, Classics 99.
Basic requirements: twelve courses.
- Two courses providing a broad introduction to classical civilization, normally CLS-STDY 97A and CLS-STDY 97B.
- Six courses in Greek and/or Latin, at least two of which must be numbered 100 or above, and at least one of which must be a capstone course selected from the following list: GREEK 112A, GREEK 112B, GREEK 175, LATIN 112A, LATIN 112B, LATIN 175 (or an equivalent in the case of Byzantine/Modern Greek and Medieval Latin). Note: Introductory language courses are intended to be taken sequentially. Students may not earn concentration credit for completion of a course sequentially prior to one in which they have already earned a passing grade.
- One semester of CLASSIC 98, a small-group tutorial, is required of all concentrators in the junior year. The tutorial emphasizes the development of research skills through a close examination of a topic in Greek and Roman literature and/or Greco-Roman civilization.
- Three additional courses from among those listed under “Classics” in the course search in courses.my.harvard.edu, including cross-listed courses and either HUMAN 10A or HUMAN 10B. Other courses may be counted with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- Honors: In addition to the basic requirements set out above, all concentrators in Classical Languages and Literatures who wish to be considered for honors must write a senior thesis by completing two semesters of the senior tutorial, CLASSIC 99. The thesis must be submitted to the department office on or before the Friday preceding spring recess. The length of the thesis should be determined by the student and the thesis advisor but should not ordinarily exceed 60 pages of text.
Note: Two courses counted for concentration may be taken pass/fail or, in the case of approved First-Year Seminars, SAT/UNSAT. CLASSIC 98 and the course used to fulfill the capstone requirement (GREEK 112A, GREEK 112B, GREEK 175, LATIN 112A, LATIN 112B, LATIN 175, or equivalent in the case of Byzantine/Modern Greek and Medieval Latin) must be taken for a letter grade.
Additional requirements for Honors eligibility
- A senior thesis, together with two semesters of the senior tutorial, Classics 99.
Joint Concentration in Ancient History (Greek and Roman)
Students whose interest in the Classics is primarily historical in character should consider concentrating in Ancient History (Greek and Roman), a joint concentration co-sponsored by the Department of History and the Department of the Classics. This program introduces students to the craft of historical study—the ways historians make sense of the past, and the skills of historical analysis, writing, and research—and promotes a critical understanding of the historical experience of ancient societies.
In addition to in-depth language study and course work in the history of antiquity, concentrators in Ancient History (Greek and Roman) will split their tutorial work between the History department and the Classics department. History 97 introduces students to historical analysis and writing on various themes, while Classical Studies 97a/b introduces the history, literature, and intellectual traditions of ancient Greece and Rome. By taking a history seminar in the sophomore or junior year, students learn about methods of historical research and writing and have the opportunity to conduct in-depth research projects. In the senior year, joint concentrators write an honors thesis, an original work in some aspect of ancient history.
All Ancient History (Greek and Roman) joint concentrators must take 14 courses, including either Classics 99 or History 99, the senior thesis tutorial. The department in which the student chooses to take the senior tutorial will be responsible for making the final determination of honors.
Basic requirements: fourteen courses, including either Classics 99 or History 99, the senior thesis tutorial.
- Four language courses, normally Greek and/or Latin. With DUS approval of a written proposal outlining the academic rationale, at most two of these four courses may be in other ancient or modern languages.
- HIST 97. HIST 97 is offered in the spring term only; if combining with CLS-STDY 97B (on Rome), also offered in the spring, students may choose either to take both during their sophomore spring, or to take one in the sophomore spring and the other in the junior spring.
- CLS-STDY 97A or 97B
- CLASSIC 98. Must be completed by the end of the junior spring, in preparation for the senior thesis.
- CLS-STDY 112.
- One course in post-antique histories beyond North America.
- One modern history course.
- Two additional electives within Ancient History. Two types of courses count toward Ancient History (Greek and Roman) concentration requirements:
Senior thesis (two courses): either HIST 99 or CLASSIC 99. Students may select either seminar.
Honors: Students who complete the thesis will be eligible for honors; the department in which the student chooses to take the senior tutorial will be responsible for making the final determination of honors.
Two types of courses count toward Ancient History (Greek and Roman) concentration requirements:
- Courses listed on courses.my.harvard.edu under “History” and “Classics,” including cross-listed courses; and
- Courses taught in the General Education and/or Freshman Seminar Programs by faculty members of the History or Classics Department. Students wishing to count such courses toward their concentration requirements should request approval from the relevant Director of Undergraduate Studies.
The joint concentration also regularly accepts credit from both Study Abroad and Advanced Standing toward concentration requirements.
With the exception of certain First-Year Seminars taught by history or classics faculty (see above), courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be counted for concentration credit.
Joint Concentrations with Classics and an Allied 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 many fields with Classics, including molecular and cellular biology, philosophy, computer science, and comparative literature.
A joint concentration differs from the "double concentration." In a double concentration, students complete the full requirements of each field. In a joint concentration, students combine the requirements of two fields into a single course of study. This path culminates in an interdisciplinary senior honors thesis advised by members of both departments. Often, a joint concentration can require a total number of courses that is similar to a single concentration. A joint concentration in Classics, for example, requires seven courses (as opposed to the full concentration, which requires twelve).
Joint concentrators 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. For complete details, please see classics in Fields of Concentration.
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 Study, a 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.
Note: One course counted for the joint concentration in Classics may be taken Pass/Fail or, in the case of approved First-Year Seminars, SAT/UNSAT. CLASSIC 98 and CLS-STDY 112 must be taken for a letter grade.
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 a capstone course 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.
Note: One course counted for the joint concentration in Classics may be taken Pass/Fail or, in the case of approved First-Year Seminars, SAT/UNSAT. CLASSIC 98 and the course used to fulfil the capstone requirement (GREEK 112A, GREEK 112B, GREEK 175, LATIN 112A, LATIN 112B, LATIN 175, or equivalent in the case of Byzantine/Modern Greek and Medieval Latin) must be taken for a letter grade.