Department of Classics
https://www.uvm.edu/cas/classics
Classics, the study of Greek and Roman civilization in the broadest sense, is the original and quintessential liberal arts degree. The field is inherently multidisciplinary and provides access to a cultural continuum spanning over three millennia up to and including the present day.
The department offers language instruction in Latin and ancient Greek and an array of English-language courses that cover a wide area: mythology, epic and lyric poetry, drama, satire, art and architecture, historiography, political theory, and philosophy. The special research interests of UVM's Classics faculty shape and enrich the department's curriculum, integrating in-depth work in topics such as oral tradition studies; the history of writing, books and printing; ancient farming and technology; ancient music; ancient Near Eastern history and literature; historical linguistics and etymology; Greek and Roman philosophy; Roman history; topography, and myth; and women in antiquity.
Students pursuing a major or minor in Classics have the option of concentrating their studies on languages or Classical studies more generally, and it is also possible to choose one of those concentrations for the major and pair it with a minor that focuses on the other concentration. The department also offers graduate-level study, with a M.A. and Accelerated Master’s Program and a certificate of graduate study in Greek and Latin Languages.
Greek and Latin Languages (GKLT) CGS
Greek and Latin M.A.
Greek and Latin M.A.T.
See the online Graduate Catalogue for more information.
Classics Courses
CLAS 015. From Cuneiform to Kindle. 3 Credits.
Topics in script, literacy, books, libraries, cultural expression, preservation, and access from ancient Mesopotamia to the age of printing and the era of electronic information.
CLAS 021. Greek History and Civilization. 3 Credits.
Political, social, cultural, and literary development of ancient Greece. May be repeated for credit with different content: typically alternates between early period (Bronze Age through Persian Wars) and late (Athenian Empire through Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World). Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Cross-listed with: HST 021.
CLAS 022. Etymology. 3 Credits.
The study of English vocabulary derived from Greek and Latin. Topics include analysis of word formation, historical and comparative linguistics, and international scientific terminology.
CLAS 023. Classical Roman Civilization. 3 Credits.
Political, social, cultural, and literary development of ancient Rome. May be repeated for credit with different content: normally alternates between early period (Monarchy and Republic) and late (Empire). Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Cross-listed with: HST 022.
CLAS 024. Myths/Legends Trojan War. 3 Credits.
Homeric epics, Virgil's Aeneid, selections from tragedy dealing with the Trojan War and Greco-Roman cultural identity. Examples from art and archaeology supplement the literary theme. Cross-listed with: WLIT 024.
CLAS 042. Mythology. 3 Credits.
Greek myth in literature, art, and music from antiquity to modern times. No prerequisites. Spring semester. Cross-listed with: WLIT 042.
CLAS 090. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 092. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 095. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
CLAS 096. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
CLAS 121. Greek History and Civilization. 3 Credits.
Political, social, cultural, and literary development of ancient Greece. May be repeated for credit with different content: normally alternates between early period (Bronze Age through Persian Wars) and late (Athenian Empire through Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World). Prerequisite: HST 009 or appropriate work in Classics. Cross-listed with: HST 121.
CLAS 122. Roman History and Civilization. 3 Credits.
Political, social, cultural, and literary development of ancient Rome. May be repeated for credit with different content: normally alternates between early period (Monarchy and Republic) and late (Empire). Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisite: HST 009 or appropriate work in Classics. Cross-listed with: HST 122.
CLAS 123. D1:Classics and Racism in US. 3 Credits.
Examination of the history of classics in the United States, in particular the relationship between Classics and racism. Examines ancient and modern racial ideologies and histories of slavery, as well as the symbolic power of classics in the antebellum south and today. Prerequisite: Minimum Sophomore standing.
CLAS 140. The Classics Now and Then. 3 Credits.
Multidisciplinary survey of seminal Greek and Latin texts in various genres and their reception in later periods in many media, including literature, criticism, philosophy, music, theater, television, and film. Prerequisite: Minimum Sophomore standing.
CLAS 145. D2: Comparative Epic. 3 Credits.
Interdisciplinary introduction to epic poetry and performance, from Gilgamesh and the Homeric poems to the Kalevala traditions of Finland to the griot poetry and music of West Africa. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Cross-listed with: WLIT 145.
CLAS 150. SU:Sustainability Cultural Hst. 3 Credits.
Through selected readings spanning over two thousand years traces the trajectory of modern notions of ecological and socio-economic sustainability back through time. Includes experiential component at the Instructor's sheep farm. Prerequisites: Three hours in Classics, Environmental Studies, or a related discipline. Cross-listed with: ENVS 168.
CLAS 161. The Divine Plato. 3 Credits.
A survey of Plato's works, including the "early," "middle," and parts of the "late" dialogues. Emphasis will be laid on reading the dialogues themselves. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy, or one course in Classics (Greek Culture or Greek). Cross-listed with: PHIL 108.
CLAS 163. Stoicism. 3 Credits.
Primary texts of Greek and Roman Stoics (Zeno, Chrysippus, Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius) form the backbone of this course, which concentrates on Stoic ethics, psychology, and epistemology, but also covers physics and logic, as well Stoic influence on modern thought. Prerequisite: Three credit hours in Philosophy, or in Classics, Latin, or Greek.
CLAS 190. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 191. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 192. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 195. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
CLAS 196. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
CLAS 197. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 198. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 290. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 291. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 292. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
CLAS 295. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
CLAS 296. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
CLAS 298. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Greek & Latin Courses
GKLT 295. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Undergraduate only.
Greek Courses
GRK 001. Elementary Ancient Greek. 4 Credits.
Fundamentals of fifth-century Attic (Athenian) Greek, in preparation for reading great works of Thucydides, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Lysias, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Homer, Herodotus, Sappho, Pindar, New Testament, and more.
GRK 002. Elementary Ancient Greek. 4 Credits.
Fundamentals of fifth-century Attic (Athenian) Greek, in preparation for reading great works of Thucydides, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Lysias, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Homer, Herodotus, Sappho, Pindar, New Testament, and more. Prerequisite: GRK 001 or equivalent.
GRK 003. Self-Paced Greek. 1-8 Credits.
Fundamentals of Classical Greek through tutorial instruction, credit dependent on amount of material learned. May be repeated for credit. No credit with GRK 001 and GRK 002.
GRK 051. Intermediate Ancient Greek. 3 Credits.
Review of syntax. Readings from Plato, Herodotus, and Euripides. Prerequisite: GRK 002 or equivalent.
GRK 052. Intermediate Ancient Greek. 3 Credits.
Review of syntax. Readings from various authors. Prerequisite: GRK 051 or equivalent.
GRK 090. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 092. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 095. Introductory Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Introductory courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
GRK 096. Introductory Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Introductory courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
GRK 190. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 191. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 195. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
GRK 196. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
GRK 197. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 198. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 205. Greek Philosophers. 3 Credits.
Dialogues of Plato with attention to language and dialectical method; Aristotle, Xenophon or Presocratic philosophers may be read. Alternate years, as needed. Prerequisite: GRK 052 or equivalent.
GRK 206. Greek Epic. 3 Credits.
Reading in the Iliad and Odyssey. Problems of epic composition and language together with mythological and historical background. Alternate years, as needed. Prerequisite: GRK 052 or equivalent.
GRK 211. Greek Prose Style. 3 Credits.
Readings in literary prose analyzed stylistically and imitated in composition. Required of Greek majors. Prerequisite: GRK 052 or equivalent. Co-requisite: GRK at the 200-level.
GRK 212. Greek Prose Style. 3 Credits.
Readings in literary prose analyzed stylistically and imitated in composition. Required of Greek majors. Prerequisite: GRK 052 or equivalent. Co-requisite: GRK at the 200-level.
GRK 290. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 291. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 295. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Advanced courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
GRK 296. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Advanced courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
GRK 297. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
GRK 298. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Latin Courses
LAT 001. Elementary. 0 or 4 Credits.
For students who present less than two years of high school Latin.
LAT 002. Elementary Latin. 4 Credits.
For students who present less than two years of high school Latin. Prerequisite: LAT 001 or equivalent.
LAT 003. Self-Paced Latin. 1-8 Credits.
Fundamentals of Classical Latin through tutorial instruction, credit dependent on amount of material learned. May be repeated for credit. No credit with LAT 001 and LAT 002.
LAT 051. Intermediate Latin. 3 Credits.
Selections from Cicero and other prose authors. Prerequisite: LAT 002 or equivalent.
LAT 052. Intermediate Latin. 3 Credits.
Selections from Vergil and Ovid. Prerequisite: LAT 002 or equivalent.
LAT 090. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 095. Introductory Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Introductory courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
LAT 096. Introductory Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Introductory courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
LAT 097. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 101. Survey Latin Literature. 3 Credits.
Selections from principal Roman authors. Prerequisite: LAT 051 or LAT 052 or equivalent.
LAT 102. Survey Latin Literature. 3 Credits.
Selections from principal Roman authors. Prerequisite: LAT 051 or LAT 052 or equivalent.
LAT 190. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 191. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 195. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
LAT 196. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
LAT 197. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 198. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 204. Roman Epic Poetry. 3 Credits.
Extensive reading in Lucretius, Vergil, Ovid, and others. Alternate years, as needed. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or LAT 102 or equivalent.
LAT 211. Latin Prose Style. 3 Credits.
Readings in literary prose analyzed stylistically and imitated in composition. Required of Latin majors. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or LAT 102 or equivalent. Co-requisite: LAT at the 200-level.
LAT 212. Latin Prose Style. 3 Credits.
Readings in literary prose analyzed stylistically and imitated in composition. Required of Latin majors. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or LAT 102 or equivalent. Co-requisite: LAT at the 200-level.
LAT 227. Roman Lyric Poets. 3 Credits.
Selections from the works of Catullus, Horace, Propertius, and Tibullus. Alternate years, as needed. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or LAT 102 or equivalent.
LAT 251. Roman Letters. 3 Credits.
Letters of Cicero, Horace, and Pliny. Alternate years, as needed. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or LAT 102 or equivalent.
LAT 253. Roman Oratory. 3 Credits.
Selections from Cicero's De Oratore, Orator, Brutus, and from his speeches. Historical development of forensic and other rhetorical canons. Alternate years, as needed. Prerequisite: LAT 101 or LAT 102 or equivalent.
LAT 290. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 291. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 295. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Advanced courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
LAT 296. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Advanced courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
LAT 297. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
LAT 298. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.