Major

Classics Major

Department/Program

Total credit requirements for a Classics major: 36 (52 with no prior college-level coursework in Classics)

  • Required Courses
    • Classics 139; and 497 or 498
    • Greek 205 and Latin 205, or equivalent
    • Eight credits total in Greek 375 and Latin 375. At least two credits must be taken in each language.
    • Eight credits from courses in Classics
    • Four credits in Greek or Roman history, chosen from:
      • History 160, 165, 180, 215, 224, 225, 226, 227, 280, 320, 330, or 331
      • Other courses as approved by the Classics department
    • Four credits in Greek and/or Roman philosophy, as approved by the department
  • Senior Requirements
    • Classics 497 or 498
    • Three-hour comprehensive written exam
    • One-hour oral exam, including a defense of the thesis and, if appropriate, further questions about the written exam
  • Honors
    • Students submit an “Honors in Major Study Application” to their department.
    • Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which they are eligible.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project.
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • The department will submit the honors applications to the Registrar’s Office of students pursuing honors by the specified deadline.
    • The department will submit the “Senior Assessment/Major Study Certificate” to the Registrar’s Office no later than Reading Day.
    • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
  • Notes
    • No courses taken P-D-F after declaration may be counted toward the major.
    • Courses counting toward another major or minor may also be counted toward the Classics major or minor.
Total Credits
36-52