Classics and Ancient History

Department of Classics and Ancient History 

General Office: Carleton Hall, Room 209
Mailing Address: Department of Classics & Ancient History
University of New Brunswick,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton N.B.,
Canada, E3B 5A3 
Phone: (506) 453-4763
Fax: (506) 447-3072
Email: classics@unb.ca
Website: //www.unb.ca/fredericton/arts/departments/classics/
Chair: Dr. Robert Larmer

Faculty 

  • Kerr, William G., BA (Tor), BA (Oxon), MA, PhD (Prin), Assoc Prof - 1987
  • MacDonald, Carolyn, BA (King's/Dal), MA (Dal), PhD (Stanford), Assist Prof - 2016
  • Papaioannou, Maria, BA (Thessalonike), MA, PhD (UBC), Assoc Prof - 2005
  • Sears, Matthew A., BA (UNB), PhD (Cornell), Assoc Prof - 2013

General Information

"Classics"

  • is the study of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome through their literary and material remains
  • embraces the distant pre-history of these civilizations as well as their continuing influence on modern society
  • offers a multicultural, interdisciplinary approach to the classical world through the study of languages, history, literature, mythology, religion, archaeology, art, and philosophy

Courses Offered

  • Latin [LAT]: students are taught [in English] to read and write Classical Latin. Students without previous experience in this language begin the study of Latin with LAT 1103.
  • Greek [GRK]: students are taught [in English] to read and write ancient Greek. Students without previous experience in this language begin the study of Greek with GRK 1203.
  • Modern Greek [GRKM]: through the auspices of the Centre for Hellenic Studies at UNBF, students are taught [in English] to read, write, and speak Modern Greek. Students without previous experience in this language begin the study of Modern Greek with GRKM 1003.
  • Classics [CLAS]: students study the political, social, and cultural life of the Greeks and Romans through lectures, visual illustrations, and assigned readings in English translation. Students begin with the study of the Classical Civilizations in any introductory course (CLAS 1323, CLAS 1403, CLAS 1413, or CLAS 1503)

Credit in History

Selected advanced CLAS courses may be counted for credit in programs in the Department of History, up to a maximum of 12 ch. Consult the History section of the calendar for a list of these courses.

Credit in Anthropology

Students interested in Classical Archaeology might also wish to take Archaeology courses from the Department of Anthropology. With permission of the Classics Undergraduate Advisor, advanced ANTH courses in Archaeology may be counted for credit in programs in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, up to a maximum of 12 ch. Likewise, selected advanced CLAS Archaeology courses may be counted for credit in programs in the Department of Anthropology, up to a maximum of 12 ch. Consult the ANTH section of the calendar for relevant regulations. A Double Major or Joint Honours in Anthropology and Classics/Classical Studies is possible.

Programs of Study

Students should be aware of the difference between the two program options offered by the Department, as well as the options for a focus on Classical Archaeology.

Classics

Classics is the study of the ancient Mediterranean world through literary and material remains.  Of central importance to the study of Greece and Rome is a knowledge of the works of ancient authors such as Homer and Herodotus, Vergil and Cicero in their original languages. The program in Classics emphasizes the study of ancient Greek and Latin language.  Students wishing to pursue the study of Classics at the highest level, including in Graduate School, or even to experience the ancient world in the original languages, are advised to begin their study of Greek and Latin as early as possible in their degree program.  Students also have the opportunity to participate in a Travel Study Program to Greece or Rome and in summer archaeology field-schools in the Mediterranean.

Classical Studies

The study of the classical cultures of Greece and Rome may also be undertaken as a more general exploration of the rich heritage of modern western culture. Therefore, students with a keen interest in Greece and Rome who do not intend to pursue graduate study of these ancient cultures are directed to the program of Classical Studies. This program may lead to professional training in law or journalism or education etc., or serve as a valuable complement to a primary academic discipline (such as History, English, Sociology, or Political Science).

Honours, Majors and Minors

Note: The Deparment of Classics and Ancient History requires a grade of C or above in all courses that count towards Major or Honours requirements.

Honours

Students normally apply for admission to an honours program in Classics or Classical Studies during their second year, pending their successful completion of 60 ch of university study with a CGPA of at least 2.5. Admission to the Honours programs normally require the completion of at least 12 ch of courses taught in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, including at least 6 ch of a Classical language for those students choosing the CLASSICS option.

Honours in Classics

An Honours in Classics requires 57 ch, distributed as follows: 

A Joint Honours in Classics and another discipline requires 48 ch, distributed as follows:

Honours in Classical Studies

An Honours in Classical Studies requires 54 ch, distributed as follows:

  • 6 ch of lower level CLAS
  • 6 ch LAT 1103/1113 OR GRK 1203/1213
  • 42 ch upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (including at least 3 ch from EACH of the three course categories, and CLAS 4403 [or equivalent]) (LAT/GRK courses at 2000-level may count toward the upper level requirements)

A Joint Honours in Classical Studies requires 42 ch, distributed as follows:

  • No ancient language requirements
  • 6 ch lower level CLAS or LAT or GRK
  • 36 ch upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (LAT/GRK courses can be at 2000-level)

Majors

Students wishing to Major in Classics or Classical Studies normally declare their major during their second year after they have seen their Department advisor. 

Major in Classics

A Major in Classics requires 51 ch, distributed as follows:

A Double Major in Classics and another discipline requires 45 ch, distributed as follows:

Major in Classical Studies

A Major in Classical Studies requires 42 ch, distributed as follows:

  • 6 ch of lower level CLAS or LAT or GRK
  • 30 ch of upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (inlcuding at least 3 ch from EACH of the three course categories) (LAT/GRK courses at 2000-level may count toward the upper level requirements)
  • 6 ch of additional CLAS or LAT or GRK at any level

A Double Major in Classical Studies and other discipline requires 36 ch, distributed as follows:

  • 6 ch of upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK
  • 24 ch of upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (LAT/GRK course at 2000-level may count toward the upper level requirements)
  • 6 ch of additional CLAS or LAT or GRK at any level

Minor

A Minor in Classics requires 24 ch, distributed as follows:

  • 12 ch in LAT and/or GRK
  • 12 ch upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (LAT/GRK courses at the 2000-level may count toward the upper level requirements)

A Minor in Classical Studies requires 24 ch, distributed as follows:

  • 12 ch of upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (LAT/GRK courses at the 2000-level may count toward the upper level requirements)
  • 12 ch additional CLAS or LAT or GRK at any level

A Minor in Ancient Philosophy consists of 24 ch of courses offered by the Department of Classics & Ancient History and the Department of Philosophy as follows:

Course Categories

Ancient History Classical Literature and Culture Classical Archaeology
CLAS 3003 Greek History CLAS 3402 Comic Theatre 3323 Art & Archaeology of Byzantium
3023 Alexander and the Hellenistic World 3413 Tragic Theatre 3333 Art & Archaeology of Greece
3033 Roman History 3433 Ancient World on Film 3334 Classical Archaeology: Method and Theory
3053 Roman Army 3473 Modern Greek Lierature 3343 Archaeologies of the Roman Empire
3063 Greek Warfare 3483 'Surfing' the Aegean 3373 Pompeii and Herculaneum
3073 Jewish Civilization 3503 Greek Gods & Cults 4303 Exploring Athens
3083 Byzantine Empire 3513 Trojan War 4313 Exploring Rome
3093 Decline of Roman Empire 3523 Roman Myth & Religion 4333 Living in the Ancient World
3463 History of Modern Greece 3703 Socrates 4353 Greek Sculpture
3813 Early Church 3723 Ancient Science 4363 Roman Sculpture
3923 Roman Law 3733 Ancient Philosophies 5013 Topics in Classical Archaeology
4063 Augustus 3813 Early Church 3313 Field in School in Classical Archaeology
5003 Directed Studies in Classics 3913 Gender and Power
3933 Sports & Recreation in Greece and Rome
3943 Spectacle in Ancient Rome
3433 Ancient World on Film

UNB TERM IN ATHENS

The Department of Classics & Ancient History, in cooperation with other departments in the Faculty of Arts at UNBF, offers students an opportunity to spend a term in Athens studying UNB courses offered by UNB professors. Each student participant enrolls in an integrated 15 ch program which combines classroom work in state-of-the-art teaching facilities with field trips, cultural experiences, extended travel to other areas of Greece, and a cruise visiting several Aegean islands.

The program includes:

  • 3 credit hours of language study: GRKM 1003: Modern Greek I - An introduction to language skills which will enable students to gain a basic ability to speak read and write the language of modern Greece. [Prerequisite: none]
  • 6 credit hours of classical archaeology and art history: CLAS 3603: The Art and Architecture of Greece I - A survey of outstanding examples of the art and architecture of Greece at important archeological sites and in major museums in Greece. [Prerequisite: successful completion of 30 ch of university courses]; CLAS 3605: Ancient Athens - A practical workshop introducing students to the ancient city's Greek and Roman remains which are found at archaeological sites and museums in and around Athens. [Prerequisite: successful completion of 30 ch of university courses]
  • 6 credit hours in the discipline of the collaborating department: The collaborating department will vary from year to year. Students are encouraged to enquire concerning departmental plans in future years.

Courses will be conducted both in the classroom and "on-site", and will include standard UNB reading and writing assignments and final examinations. Note that travel costs are not included in the tuition for these courses.