Mission Statement

DESCRIPTION AND AIMS

The ancient cultures of Greece and Rome are the foundation on which western civilization stands. The study of these ancient cultures should provide students with an historical perspective on and better understanding of the institutions, values, and intellectual frameworks of the world in which we live. Classical studies, which combines the methodological approaches of history, literary and cultural studies, archaeology, art history, law, and linguistics, represents approaches to the study of antiquity that are fundamentally interdisciplinary in character. Our students should gain an understanding not only of these various aspects of the ancient world but also of how the methodologies of these disciplines can work separately and together to widen and deepen our comprehension of human cultures in all periods. This document contains mission statements, learning objectives, current means of meeting those objectives, assessment plans, and strategies for improvement for the following programs:

• Undergraduate major in Classical Studies
• Undergraduate major in Greek or Latin
• Undergraduate minor in Classical Studies
• Undergraduate minor in Greek or Latin
• Master of Arts in Classics

  • CLASSICAL STUDIES MAJOR
  • GREEK / LATIN MAJORS
  • CLASSICAL STUDIES MINOR
  • GREEK / LATIN MINORS

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE MAJOR IN CLASSICAL STUDIES

Through the major program in Classical Studies, we aim, first, to educate students in the ancient history and culture of the Mediterranean world through the study of ancient texts in translation and ancient material culture, and, second, to foster our students’ desire and ability to analyze critically the evidence on which our knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean is based.

Learning objectives:

1. Knowledge of several fields relating to the history and culture of ancient Greece and/or Rome in the context of the greater Mediterranean world.
2. Ability to analyze critically primary texts and material culture from the ancient
Mediterranean world and secondary scholarship.
3. Ability to complete successfully a project of research. This involves the
following: development of a research topic, proficient skill with research methods, ability to document sources, articulation of a thesis relevant to the topic, evaluation and use of sources (primary and secondary) to argue for a point of view, and effective communication of arguments and conclusions.

How our program addresses these objectives:

1. Our program in Classical Studies offers courses that survey the history, archaeology, literature, and religion of Greece and Rome.
2. Through class discussions and both written and oral presentations, students must demonstrate their ability to read critically and articulate their thinking.
3. In at least three upper-level courses, students must design a research project, analyze the ancient evidence and investigate modern scholarship pertaining to the topic, and write a substantial paper that presents the subject of inquiry, describes the student’s research, and argues the student’s conclusions.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE MAJORS IN GREEK & LATIN

The acquisition of ancient Greek and Latin provides first-hand access to the texts of the ancient Mediterranean world and the early medieval period. In addition, the study of these ancient languages provides excellent training in logical analysis and a superior understanding of how languages function to convey meaning.

Learning objectives:

1. Thorough knowledge of the grammatical and lexical skills needed for reading Greek and/or Latin.
2. Ability to analyze critically ancient texts in Greek and/or Latin.
3. Ability to complete successfully a project of research. This involves the following: articulation of a research topic, proficiency with research methods, ability to document sources, evaluation and use of sources (primary and secondary) to argue for a point of view, and effective communication of arguments and conclusions.

How our programs meet these objectives:

1. We offer, in both Greek and Latin, a sequence of rigorous courses that instruct and guide our students in mastering the morphology, grammatical structures, and vocabulary of each language.
2. Through class discussions and both written and oral presentations, students must demonstrate their ability to read critically and articulate their thinking.
3. In all upper-level language courses, students must undertake a critical examination of specific texts, formulate a topic and a point of view, and write a paper that presents the subject of inquiry, describes the student’s analysis, and argues the student’s conclusions.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE MINOR IN CLASSICAL STUDIES

Through the minor program in Classical Studies, we aim, first, to introduce students to the ancient history and culture of the Mediterranean world through the study of ancient texts in translation and ancient material culture, and, second, to foster our students’ desire and ability to analyze critically the evidence on which our knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean is based.

Learning objectives:

1. Knowledge of several fields relating to the history and culture of ancient Greece
and/or Rome in the context of the greater Mediterranean world.
2. Ability to analyze critically the texts and material culture of the ancient
Mediterranean world.
3. Ability to articulate in reasoned exposition how a process of critical analysis has
been carried out and what conclusions have been reached.

How our programs meet these objectives:

1. Our program in Classical Studies offers courses that survey the history, archaeology, literature, and religion of Greece and Rome.
2. Through class discussions and both written and oral presentations, students must
demonstrate their ability to read critically and articulate their thinking.
3. In at least one 400-level course, students must design a research project, analyze
the ancient evidence and investigate modern scholarship pertaining to the topic, and write a substantial paper that presents the subject of inquiry, describes the student’s research, and argues the student’s conclusions.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE MINORS IN GREEK & LATIN

The acquisition of ancient Greek and Latin provides first-hand access to the texts of the ancient Mediterranean world and the early medieval period. In addition, the study of these ancient languages provides excellent training in logical analysis and a superior understanding of how languages function to convey meaning.

Learning objectives:

1. Thorough knowledge of the grammatical and lexical skills needed for reading
Greek and/or Latin.
2. Ability to analyze critically ancient texts in Greek and/or Latin.
3. Ability to explain in reasoned exposition how a process of critical analysis has been carried out and what conclusions have been reached.

How our programs meet these objectives:

1. We offer, in both Greek and Latin, a sequence of rigorous courses that instruct and
guide our students in mastering the morphology, grammatical structures, and vocabulary of each language.
2. Through class discussions and both written and oral presentations, students must
demonstrate their ability to read critically and articulate their thinking.
3. In at least one upper-level language course, students must undertake a critical
examination of specific texts, formulate a topic and a point of view, and write a paper that presents the subject of inquiry, describes the student’s analysis, and argues the student’s conclusions.