Students may major or minor in Classics or Classical Civilization.

Among the unique features of the Department of Classics are the faculty, the John Miller Burnam Classical Library, the large number of graduate students and the generous patronage of the Semple Classics Fund.

The Department of Classics at the University of Cincinnati has received significant support from generous patrons. The Semple Classics Fund, a bequest of Louise Taft Semple, was established "for promoting the study of Classics in an endeavor to make vital and constructive in the civilization of our country the spiritual, intellectual, and esthetic inheritance we have received from Greek and Roman civilizations." The ample resources of the fund make it possible to continue the diverse activities of the department. Among these are the Semple Scholarships and the Semple Traveling Scholarship, which support undergraduate education in the classics at the University of Cincinnati or for a period of study abroad.

Historically, the Department of Classics has held an international reputation as a leader in the field of Bronze Age archaeology. It is particularly known for its excavations at Troy and Pylos under the direction of Carl Blegen. This tradition of excellence in archaeology continues today with current field projects in the Mediterranean.

Admission

For admission to the College of Arts and Sciences for study toward the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, start from the University’s admissions website: https://admissions.uc.edu.

Students not enrolling for a degree but wishing to take courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences (non-matriculated students) should complete the Basic Data Form.

The Department of Classics has the following minimum requirements for admission to our majors in the sophomore year or later:

Classics Major. Latin 1001-1002 or Latin 2011-2012 or any higher numbered Latin course, OR Greek 1001-1002 or any higher numbered Greek course; good standing in the college (2.0 gpa).

Classics Civilization Major. Good standing in the college (2.0 gpa).

Requirements for Majors and Minors

Classics Major. The major in Classics consists of at least 38 credit hours of courses in Latin and Greek, consisting of 22 credit hours of core major requirements (normally 10 hours in Elementary GReek and 4 courses / 12 hours in Intermediate Latin and Greek); 12-15 credit hours of elective courses in Advanced Latin and Greek; and a 1-4 credit hour capstone. Latin courses below the 3000 level do not count toward the major. Greek courses count at entry level. Majors are required to complete their capstone project in the course of their senior year (see below). These courses are part of the General Education requirements.

Classical Civilization Major. The major in Classical Civilization consists of at least 38 credit hours of courses in Latin, Greek, or Classical Civilization. This must include 6 credit hours in an Introductory Survey Sequence (these are:  Great Books of Ancient Greece and Rome [CLAS 1001-1002], Greek and Roman History [CLAS 1011-1012], and Art and Archaeology of Greece and Rome [CLAS 2022-2023]); 12 credit hours in the CLAS discipline at or above the 3000 level; 16 to 19 credit hours of elective courses in CLAS, LATN, or GRK; and a 1 to 4 credit-hour Capstone.

CLCV majors may replace up to 6 hours of CLAS courses at or above the 3000 level with up to 6 credit hours in Latin or Greek at the 3000 level or above. Please note: depending on the student's previous language coursework, they may need to take the introductory sequence in Greek and/or Latin in order to register for language courses at or above the 3000 level. These introductory courses can count towards a student's elective credit hours.

Majors are required to complete their Capstone project in the course of their senior year (see below). These courses are part of the General Education requirements.
 

Classics Minor. The minor in Classics consists of at least 21 credit hours in Latin and/or Greek. Latin courses below the 3000 level do not count. Greek courses count at every level.

Classical Civilization Minor. The minor in Classical Civilization consists of at least 21 credit hours in Latin, Greek, or Classical Civilization. This must include 6 credit hours in an Introductory Survey Sequence (these are:  Great Books of Ancient Greece and Rome [CLAS 1001-1002], Greek and Roman History [CLAS 1011-1012], and Art and Archaeology of Greece and Rome [CLAS 2022-2023]); and 6 credit hours in CLAS courses at or above the 3000 level.

CLCV minors may replace 3 hours of CLAS courses at or above the 3000 level with 3 hours in Greek or Latin at or above the 3000 level.
 

The Capstone project provides students with an opportunity to integrate their academic training and professional interests. All Classics or Classical Civilization majors must complete their capstone project in their senior year. Before they register, they must consult with the undergraduate advisor and obtain the consent of a project supervisor. In order to meet the requirement students may take an upper-level course (3 credit hours) and write a research paper for it, registering for 1 additional credit hour in 5001.

Students who major or minor in the Department of Classics are asked to keep a portfolio of examinations and papers completed in Classics courses. The Director of Undergraduate Studies will discuss the portfolio with each student during the annual review.

In order to graduate, the student must also earn at least 120 credits, complete the distribution requirements and the general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, and be in good academic standing.

Courses that count for major or minor credit may also be used for distribution requirements. For instance, Greek 1001-1002 may satisfy the A&S language requirement and also be used toward the major in Classics, or Ancient History 1011-1012 may satisfy the A&S history requirement and also be used toward the major in Classical Civilization.