Classical Studies
Classics is an interdisciplinary major, with tracks in ancient language, classical civilization and teacher certification, that brings students the history, literature and culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. All three tracks require proficiency in Latin or Ancient Greek.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Hours for Degree: 120
- Specializations: Ancient Language, Classical Civilization, Teacher Certification
- Minor: Yes
- Website: www.classics.ufl.edu/undergrad/undergrad.html
Overview
Students who major in classics often pursue graduate studies in classical languages and literature, art history, ancient history, archaeology, comparative literature and museum studies. Small class sizes, emphasis on critical thinking and expression and a faculty committed to involvement in lower-level undergraduate courses make this major appealing to students who want excellent preparation for entry to professional schools (e.g., medicine or law). The teacher certification track can prepare students to teach Latin at the high-school level; there is always a great demand for high-school Latin teachers.
Concentrations/Specializations
There are three specialization in the classics studies major:
- Ancient Language
The ancient language track is appropriate for students wishing direct contact with the literature and culture of the ancients, and for those who plan to do graduate study in Greek or Latin. The following are minimum requirements for admission to competitive graduate programs: Students need at least three years of upper-division courses in the ancient Greek or Latin and an additional year in the remaining language. - Classical Civilization
The classical civilization track is appropriate for those who desire a broad humanities background or are considering admission to graduate school in archaeology, ancient history, or an unrelated field such as medicine or law. Students interested in admission to competitive graduate programs in archaeology or ancient history should consult the Department of Classics' undergraduate coordinator for further information on specific requirements in these specialized areas. - Teacher Certification
Students desiring to be high-school Latin teachers should follow the teacher certification track. In addition to the classics coursework required, students should consult the College of Education's requirements for teacher certification in Florida. Those wishing to teach Latin in the Florida public schools will need to determine state certification requirements early. They should consider a minor in education that is appropriate for admission to the ProTeach program.
Coursework for the Major
Students must complete 21-30 credit hours of coursework for the classics studies major; the total will be dependent upon the track the student chooses to pursue. The beginning sequence of Latin or Ancient Greek is not included in the 21-30 credit hours. A student must get at least a C or better in a course for it to be applied to the major; no S/U courses can be applied to the major. The Department of Classics requires that a minuimum of 15 credit hours of major-related courses be completed at the University of Florida.
All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in Latin or Ancient Greek. (Note: Students following the teacher certification track must demonstrate proficiency in Latin).
Students are able to demonstrate proficiency by fulfilling one of these options:
- 10 credit hours of beginning Latin or Ancient Greek. Students with high school Latin complete the sequence based upon their score on the SAT II Latin test (or other placement mechanism).
- A score of 3 or above in one of the AP Latin exams (Latin Literature or Vergil).
- Completion of LNW 2630 (Latin Love Poetry) or LNW 2660 (Vergil) or a 2000-level ancient Greek course.
- A 3000-level course in the original Latin or Greek Literature.
The remainder of coursework for the major will depend upon the track of specialization the student chooses. More information can be found below under Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan.
Overseas Studies
Students may participate in summer, semester or academic year programs of study in Italy and Greece. Competitive scholarships for study abroad are available.
Placement
Refer to Placement Testing and Evaluation for information on placement into Latin.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 Latin, Greek or Classics course
Semester 3:
- Maintain 1 course completed
Semester 4:
- Complete 1 additional Latin, Greek or Classics course with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete 2 additional Latin, Greek or Classics courses with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Specialization: Ancient Language
Specialization: Classical Civilization
Specialization: Teacher Certification
Ancient Language
Required Coursework
In addition to demonstrating proficiency in Latin or Ancient Greek, students will have to complete a total of 21 hours of coursework for the major:
- Two courses on the ancient Graeco-Roman world (in English translation) from the Department of Classics or from the following departments: Anthropology, Art, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion. At least one course must be at the 3000 level or above.
- Five courses at the 3000 level or above in Latin or Greek or a combination of Greek and Latin. Students who complete the language requirement using a 3000-level course in Latin or Greek literature need only four Latin or Greek courses at the 3000 level or above.
- Students planning to go to graduate school in classical languages and literature will need more hours in ancient languages.
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| LAT 1120 Beginning Latin 1 (4) or LAT 1130 Accelerated Beginning Latin 1 (5) or GRE 1130 Accelerated Beginning Ancient Greek 1 (5) (or higher if placed out by SAT II) * | 4-5 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16-17 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| LAT 1121 Beginning Latin 2 (3) or LAT 1131 Accelerated Beginning Latin 2 (5) or GRE 1131 Accelerated Beginning Ancient Greek 2 (5) or Elective (if placed out by SAT II) * | 3-5 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| LAT 1104 Beginning Latin 3 (if needed) or elective | 3-0 |
| Elective (CLA 2100 The Glory That Was Greece or CLA 2120 The Grandeur That Was Rome recommended) * |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Physical or Biological Science Laboratory (GE-P or B) | 1 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16-13 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Elective (CLA 2100 The Glory That Was Greece or CLA 2120 The Grandeur That Was Rome recommended) * |
3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Latin or Greek courses (two at 3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Ancient Graeco-Roman World (3000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Latin or Greek course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Ancient Graeco-Roman World (3000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Latin or Greek course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Elective (or honors thesis) | 3 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Latin or Greek course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
* Students with prior Greek or Latin and an SAT II Latin score of 540 or higher, a 3 or higher on the AP Latin exam or a 4 or higher on the IB exam will begin with more advanced courses.
Classical Civilization
Required Coursework
In addition to demonstrating proficiency in Latin or Ancient Greek, students will have to complete a total of 24 hours of coursework for the major:
- 24 hours of coursework covering the ancient Graeco-Roman world (in English translation) from the Department of Classics or from the following departments: Anthropology, Art, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion.
- At least 18 hours must be at the 3000 level or above.
- Modern Greek can be taken for the six hours and at the 1000/2000 level.
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| LAT 1120 Beginning Latin 1 (4) or LAT 1130 Accelerated Beginning Latin 1 (5) or GRE 1130 Accelerated Beginning Ancient Greek 1 (5) (or higher if placed out by SAT II) * | 4-5 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 13-14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| LAT 1121 Beginning Latin 2 (3) or LAT 1131 Accelerated Beginning Latin 2 (5) or GRE 1131 Accelerated Beginning Ancient Greek 2 (5) or Elective (if placed out by SAT II) * | 3-5 |
| Electives (one course should be CLA 2100 The Glory That Was Greece or CLA 2120 The Grandeur That Was Rome) | 6 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| LAT 1104 (3) (if needed) or elective | 3 |
| Elective (CLA 2100 The Glory That Was Greece or CLA 2120 The Grandeur That Was Rome) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Classics course (2000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Classics course (2000 level or above) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Science laboratory (GE-B or P) | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Classics courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Classics courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Classics courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Elective (or honors thesis) | 3 |
| Elective(s) | 7-4 |
| Total | 16-13 |
* Students with prior Greek or Latin and an SAT II Latin score of 540 or higher, a 3 or higher on the AP Latin exam or a 4 or higher on the IB exam will begin with more advanced courses.
Teacher Certification
Required Coursework
In addition to demonstrating proficiency in Latin or Ancient Greek, students will have to complete a total of 30 hours of coursework for the major:
- 24 hours of advanced Latin, including:
- Nine hours in Latin vocabulary, grammar and composition
- 15 hours in Latin literature (not in translation)
- Two courses on the ancient Graeco-Roman world (not in English translation) from the Department of Classics or from the following departments: Anthropology, Art, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion. At least one of these must be at the 3000 level or above.
- Those planning to earn a Florida Latin teaching certificate need to make certain which courses dealing with Rome are appropriate for this option.
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| LAT 1120 Beginning Latin 1 (4) or LAT 1130 Accelerated Beginning Latin 1 (5) (or higher if placed out by SAT II) * | 4-5 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16-17 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| LAT 1121 Beginning Latin 2 (3) or LAT 1131 Accelerated Beginning Latin 2 (5) or Elective (if placed out by SAT II) * | 3-5 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| LAT 1104 Beginning Latin 3 (3) or elective (if placed out by SAT II) * | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-B or P) | 1 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Latin course (2000 level or higher vocabulary, grammar and composition) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives for Pathways to Teaching minor (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Latin course (3000 level or higher vocabulary, grammar and composition) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Ancient Roman culture (3000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Electives for Pathways to Teaching minor (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Latin courses (two at 3000 level or higher vocabulary, grammar and composition) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Ancient Roman culture (3000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Electives for Pathways to Teaching minor (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Latin literature courses (three at 3000 level or above, not in translation) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Elective (or honors thesis) | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Elective | 4-1 |
| Latin literature courses (two at 3000 level or above, not in translation) | 6 |
| Total | 16-13 |
*Students with prior Greek or Latin and an SAT II Latin score of 540 or higher, a 3 or higher on the AP Latin exam or a 4 or higher on the IB exam will begin with more advanced courses.