Majors
	Ancient Civilization (BA), Classical Languages (BA) from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minors
	Ancient Civilization, Classical Languages, Greek, Latin
Four-year Graduation Plan
	Yes
Honors
	Yes
Teaching licensure
	Yes, in Latin
Links
	Web Site Courses General Catalog

Classics includes the study of ancient languages, literatures, and cultures of the Mediterranean basin from approximately 2000 BCE to 600 CE. Study in classics helps students understand the contributions of the ancient world to life in the present and future.

• Why Study Classics at Iowa?
• Course Work
• Resources
• Student Activities
• Study Abroad
• Careers
• Scholarships

Why Study Classics at Iowa?
The Department of Classics has strong programs in Greek and Latin. They draw on a wide range of courses about the ancient world, taught in English and offered by the classics department and by other departments and programs across the University.

As a classics student at Iowa, you'll enjoy a liberal arts college experience within the rich and stimulating environment of a major research university. You'll have opportunities to work closely with the department's faculty members, who are dedicated teachers and researchers.

Classics faculty have earned national and international recognition for their publications and have been honored for their contributions in teaching and in service to the profession. They have particular strengths in the study of Greek and Roman drama, education, history, religion, rhetoric, philosophy, poetry, and material culture. Faculty members edit and publish the scholarly journal Syllecta Classica.

Course Work
Students majoring in ancient civilization or in classical languages earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The BA requires a minimum of 120 semester hours (s.h.), including credit for the major.

For either major, you'll choose from courses that present nearly half of the recorded experience of the Western World. Subject matter covers three civilizations (Minoan-Mycenaean, Greek, and Roman), two languages (Greek and Latin), and a geographical area that includes Europe, North Africa, Egypt, and the Near East.

Greek and Latin language, literature, and composition courses are taught in the language. The department also offers numerous courses on a wide array of topics that are taught in English.

Major in Ancient Civilization

The major in ancient civilization requires 30 s.h. (included in the minimum of 120 s.h. you earn for the BA). You'll concentrate on the civilization of the Mediterranean world, taking courses offered by several departments in addition to classics, such as art, history, philosophy, religious studies, and linguistics. You'll be encouraged but not required to take courses in Greek or Latin. You'll take:

• Ancient art
• Ancient history
• Ancient philosophy or religion
• Classics (may include Greek or Latin language)
• Additional courses (may include linguistics)

You'll also keep a portfolio that describes your work for the major.

Major in Classical Languages

The major in classical languages requires at least 36 s.h. (included in the minimum of 120 s.h. you'll earn for the BA). You'll learn to read the ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and become acquainted with the major works of Greek and/or Roman literature.

You'll also learn about the history of ancient Greece from the eighth century BCE through the fourth century CE, where most modern Western notions of political, artistic, and social life are rooted. You'll develop an understanding of the Roman Republic and Empire, when Rome established its hegemony over the Mediterranean basin, laid the foundation of law for the Western World, and transmitted the culture of Greece to the West.

You'll take a variety of Department of Classics courses:

• Intermediate or advanced Greek and/or Latin
• Greek or Latin composition
• Additional courses about the ancient world, including some taught in English

You'll also keep a portfolio that describes your work for the major.

If you concentrate in Latin and want to teach at the secondary school level, you'll need to complete the College of Education's Teacher Education Program.

For More Details

See Classics in the UI General Catalog to learn more about the department's majors and for information about graduating with honors or earning a minor in ancient civilization, classical languages, Greek, or Latin.

Resources
University of Iowa Libraries and the University's Museum of Art have extensive collections related to the Greek and Roman civilizations. Library and museum staff work with the classics faculty to make sure students are able to take full advantage of these resources. The department displays its own valuable collection of coins, glass, vases, and facsimiles in bronze from Mycenae, Pompeii, and Herculaneum.

The department also has an informal study area, where you'll be able to work with other students and with faculty members.

Student Activities
You'll be encouraged to incorporate material from the department’s excellent lecture series into your course work, to attend the Classics Coffee Hours, and to join Clava, the undergraduate classics club, or Eta Sigma Phi, the classics honor society.

Study Abroad
The classics department maintains close relationships with study abroad programs in Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands. These programs will advance your work for your major and introduce you to the living descendants of ancient Greek and Roman societies. In the Netherlands, the focus of study is on Latin and Greek and on the Roman frontier. You'll be encouraged to participate in these programs during your junior or senior year; financial aid is available.

The department has close ties to the ongoing Roman frontier excavations at Nijmegen in the Netherlands and with others in Greece and Italy. You may apply to join these excavations in the summer; financial aid is available.

In addition, the University supports the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the American Academy in Rome, making these facilities available to faculty and students.

Careers
Iowa’s program is recognized for the excellent preparation it offers for graduate study in classics. A large proportion of its students pursue advanced degrees. They are admitted to the finest public and private university programs in the country, many with full financial support.

Students who major in classical languages and complete the College of Education’s Teacher Education Program may be able to find secondary school teaching positions quickly, due to a nationwide shortage of Latin teachers.

The study of Latin and Greek also prepares students for study of law and medicine; Iowa classics graduates regularly enter these fields. Others go on to do advanced work in library and information science, museum studies, religious studies, history, archaeology, or business.

Scholarships
Consult multiple sources for scholarship information, including the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and departmental web sites.