Classics and Ancient History

Department of Classics and Ancient History 

• General Information

• Program of Study 

• Honours, Major and Minors 

Faculty 

• MacDonald, Carolyn, BA (King's/Dal), MA (Dal), PhD (Stanford), Assoc Prof - 2016
• Monroe, Willis, BA (SOAS), MA (SOAS), PhD (Brown), Asst. Prof - 2023
• Sears, Matthew A., BA (UNB), PhD (Cornell), 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: 

• 6 ch of lower level CLAS
• 12 ch LAT 1103/1113 and GRK 1203/1213
• 12 ch LAT 2105/3105 and GRK 2205/3205
• 3 ch more LAT or GRK
• 24 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]

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

• 6 ch lower level CLAS
• 12 ch LAT 1103/1113 and GRK 1203/1213
• 12 ch LAT 2105/3105 and GRK 2205/3205
• 18 ch upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK

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:

• 6 ch of lower level CLAS
• 12 ch LAT 1103/1113 and GRK 1203/1213
• 6 ch LAT 2105/3105 OR GRK 2205/3205
• 27 ch of upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK (inlcuding at least 3 ch from EACH of the three course categories)

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

• 6 ch lower level CLAS
• 12 ch LAT 1103/1113 and GRK 1203/1213
• 6 ch LAT 2105/3105 or GRK 2205/3205
• 21 ch of upper level CLAS or LAT or GRK

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:

• 6 ch in introductory Philosophy: PHIL 1101, PHIL 1301
• 6 ch of ancient language: GRK 1203/GRK 1213 or LAT 1103/LAT 1113 or any other 6 ch of Greek and/or Latin.
• 6 ch of advanced Philosophy (PHIL) courses, including at least one of PHIL 3301, PHIL 3302, PHIL 3305, PHIL 3306, PHIL 3311.
• 6 ch of advanced Classics (CLAS) courses, inlcuding at least one of CLAS 3703, CLAS 3723, and CLAS 3733.

Course Categories

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.