ObjectivesClassics is worth studying for its own sake by students who wish to obtain a better understanding of the common assumptions and beliefs of Western society. This knowledge has always been regarded as pertinent to a career in politics and the higher levels of the civil service. For those who are thinking of the clergy, Classics is the most relevant preparation. Classical studies also prepare students for a life of teaching and scholarship in several directions. Canada is responsible for its own culture, and we have great need of scholars and teachers who know about its origins. Classics is also the best preparation for the study of non-European cultures (Chinese, Indian, Islamic, etc.), and there is a growing need for specialists in these fields. For the older history of philosophy, and for the history of Christian belief until, and including, the Reformation, a knowledge of Classics is indispensable. The same may be said for Medieval Studies. Classics leads also to ancient Near Eastern Studies (Jewish, Babylonian, Egyptian, etc.) and to Archaeology.
Academic titleBachelor of Arts in Classics
Course description A. BA Honours in Classics (20 credits)
The candidate may choose between three programs: BA with Honours in Classics (Ancient Literature), BA with Honours in Classics (Ancient History), or BA with Honours in Classics (Ancient Philosophy). In each case, it is highly desirable, but not essential, that the student begin the study of at least one of the classical languages during the first year of study. For purposes of meeting grouping requirements, some Ancient and Medieval Philosophy classes may be counted either as Classics credits, or Philosophy credits.
Students must complete between 9-11 credits in Classics at the 2000 level or above. From these credits, students must take the following:
• 5 credits in Greek and Latin (2 in one; 3 in the other). Students may choose from: Greek: 1700/2710; 2700; 3700 or any other upper level course offered in Greek. Latin: 1800/2810; 2800; 3810 or any other upper level course offered in Latin.
• 3 credits at the 3000 level or higher
• completion of the Honours Examination (Classics 0400.00)
Whether the Honours degree is awarded in Ancient Literature, History or Philosophy depends on the area of the Department's offerings in which a larger part of the work is done.
Candidates for Honours and Combined Honours degrees who anticipate continuing their studies at the Graduate level in Classics should consult the calendars of the Graduate Schools of their choice concerning requirements for entry into Graduate programs. It may be the case that additional preparation in the classical languages or in other aspects of ancient civilizations is required for entry into certain programs.
B. BA Combined Honours in Classics (20 credits)
Classics may be taken as part of a combined honours program with other disciplines. Students interested in such programs should consult with the undergraduate advisors of the respective departments.
Students must complete between 5-7 courses in Classics at the 2000 level or higher. From these credits, students must take the following:
• 3 credits in Greek and/or Latin. Students may choose from:
• Greek: 1700/2710, 2700, 3700 or any other upper level course offered in Greek. Latin: 1800/2810; 2800; 3810 or any other upper level course offered in Latin.
• 2 credits at the 3000 level or higher
• completion of the Honours Examination (Classics 0400.00) if the major work is done in Classics
NOTE: Students are urged to apply for Honours as early as possible in their program (applications may be submitted after completion of one year of university). Please consult undergraduate advisor.
C. BA with Major in Classics (20 credits)
Students must complete the faculty requirements for a major. These requirements include 6-9 credits in Classics at or above the 2000 level; and 3 credits at the 3000 level or higher. Students are encouraged to take two language classes in Greek and/or Latin.
D. BA with Double Major in Classics (20 credits)
Students must complete the faculty requirements for a double major. These include 10-13 credits in the Major subjects at the 2000 level or higher with no more than 9 and no fewer than 4 in either. Students must include at least 2 credits at the 3000 level or higher in each subject.
E. BA with Concentration in Classics (15 credits)
Students must complete the faculty requirement, which include 4-8 credits in Classics at or above the 2000 level, and 2 credits at the 3000 level or higher.
The Department is glad to assist students in working out programs according to their interests.
Note: The following classes satisfy the first-year writing requirements for a degree: CLAS 1000X/Y.06; CLAS 1010X/Y.06; CLAS 1100X/Y.06
The programs of all students majoring or honouring in the Department must be approved by the Undergraduate Advisor.
Class Descriptions
CLAS 0400.00: Honours Examination.
CLAS 1000X/Y.06: Epic, Drama and Philosophy: A Survey of Greek and Roman Literature.
CLAS 1010X/Y.06: Ancient History: An Introduction to the History of the Ancient World.
CLAS 1022.03: Ancient Art: Rome, Christianity, Europe.
CLAS 1100X/Y.06: Classical Mythology.
CLAS 1700X/Y.06: Introductory Ancient Greek.
CLAS 1800X/Y.06: Introductory Latin.
CLAS 1900X/Y.06: Introductory Classical Hebrew.
CLAS 2000X/Y.06: Religion in the Literature of Ancient Greece and Rome: From Homer to St. Augustine.
CLAS 2022.03: Ancient Art in Greece and Near East.
CLAS 2025.03: Nature, the Human, Community and the Divine in the Pre-Modern West.
CLAS 2100X/Y.06: Classical Mythology.
CLAS 2209.03: The Roman World from Constantine to Theodosius (312-395).
CLAS 2214.03: Greek Culture from Palace to Polis.
CLAS 2215.03: Greece in the 5th Century B.C.
CLAS 2216.03: Greek Culture from Polis to Cosmopolis.
CLAS 2220.03: Ancient Israel in her Near Eastern Context.
CLAS 2231.03: The Rise of Rome: 1000-31 BCE.
CLAS 2232.03: The Roman Empire: Cycles of Collapse and Rebirth.
CLAS 2281.03: Christian Beginnings: The Orthodox and Oriental Churches.
CLAS 2282.03: Christian Beginnings: Catholicism.
CLAS 2361.03: Ancient Philosophy from its Beginning to the Sixth Century AD: From Thales to Plato.
CLAS 2362.03: Ancient Philosophy from its Beginning to the Sixth Century AD: From Aristotle to Plotinus.
CLAS 2515.03: Myth into Film I: the Greek world.
CLAS 2700X/Y.06: Intermediate Greek.
CLAS 2710X/Y.06: Greek Prose.
CLAS 2800X/Y.06: A Study of Latin Prose and Poetry.
CLAS 2810X/Y.06: Latin Prose.
CLAS 2900X/Y.06: Intermediate Hebrew.
CLAS 3015X/Y.06: Meetings between Hellenism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from Philo Judaeus to Dante.
CLAS 3100.03: Arabic Pre-Islamic Poetry.
CLAS 3205.03: Fall of the Roman Republic.
CLAS 3280X/Y.06: Christian Beginnings and the Early History of the Church.
CLAS 3300X/Y.06: Pagan and Christian Schools from Clement of Rome to Augustine.
CLAS 3370X/Y.06: The Augustinian Tradition.
CLAS 3380X/Y.06: Medieval Philosophy.
CLAS 3381.03: Medieval Philosophy from Augustine to Anselm.
CLAS 3382.03: Medieval Philosophy from Arabic and Jewish thinkers to Aquinas.
CLAS 3400X/Y.06: The Dialogues of Plato.
CLAS 3410X/Y.06: St. Augustine's Confessions.
CLAS 3420X/Y.06: St. Augustine's City of God.
CLAS 3430X/Y.06: St. Augustine's On the Trinity.
CLAS 3500X/Y.06: Aristotle.
CLAS 3515.03: Greek Tragedy.
CLAS 3516.03: Ancient Comedy.
CLAS 3525.03: Ancient Greek Epic.
CLAS 3601.03: Caliphs and Khans: Islamic civilization in the 'Abbasid and Mongol Age (750-1400).
CLAS 3602.03: Ancient and Medieval History of the Persianate World.
CLAS 3700X/Y.06: Advanced Greek.
CLAS 3710X/Y.06: Greek Epic.
CLAS 3720X/Y.06: Greek Lyric.
CLAS 3730X/Y.06: Greek Drama: Tragedy.
CLAS 3750X/Y.06: Greek Authors.
CLAS 3760X/Y.06: Reading and Research of Greek Texts.
CLAS 3780X/Y.06: Greek Historians.
CLAS 3800X/Y.06: Roman Satire.
CLAS 3810X/Y.06: A Study of Vergil.
CLAS 3820X/Y.06: Advanced Latin Literature: Augustan Poetry and Prose.
CLAS 3840X/Y.06: Latin Philosophical Texts.
CLAS 3841.03: Latin Philosophical Texts: Aquinas.
CLAS 3842.03: Latin Philosophical Texts: Anselm and Bonaventure.
CLAS 3850X/Y.06: Reading and Research of Latin Texts.
CLAS 3900X/Y.06: Philosophy of Aristotle.
CLAS 3910X/Y.06: Neoplatonism: Plato and Neoplatonism.
CLAS 4010.03: Islamic Philosophy: al-Ghazali.
CLAS 4010.03: Islamic Philosophy: al-Ghazali.
CLAS 4011.03: Jewish Philosophy: Maimonides.
CLAS 4060.03: Boethius and Prosimetrum: Poetry and Prose in the Consolation of Philosophy.
CLAS 4070.03: A Study of the Latin text of Augustine's Confessions.
CLAS 4100.03: Reading and Research in Latin Texts.
CLAS 4400X/Y.06: Philosophy of the Church Fathers.
CLAS 4450X/Y.06: Medieval Interpreters of Aristotle.
CLAS 4460.03: Dante's Inferno.
CLAS 4500X/Y.06: Seminar on Neoplatonism.
CLAS 4525X/Y.06: The World of Herodotus.
CLAS 4530X/Y.06: Seminar on Ancient Religion: Classical Antiquity to the Rise of Christianity.
CLAS 4535X/Y.06: Rome and the East.
CLAS 4540.03: Ammianus Marcellinus and his World.
CLAS 4545.03: Roman Culture and Roman Politics in the Transition to Autocracy.
CLAS 4580X/Y.06: Reading and Research.
CLAS 4601.03: Hellenistic Philosophy - Stoics and Epicureans.
CLAS 4602.03: Hellenistic Philosophy - From Scepticism to Neoplatonism.