Classical Studies (BA, Minor)

Some courses to consider in your first year:

LAT 101 - Elementary Latin I

First of two semesters of essential grammar and basic vocabulary for reading classical (and any other) Latin texts. The first half (20 chapters) of the assigned textbook is expected to be finished in the semester, giving the student the foundation of a Latin reading ability. For majors and non-majors. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

GRK 101 - Elementary Ancient Greek I

Ancient Greek grammar, and vocabulary at the elementary level. Reading of simple texts, including actual quotations from ancient authors. Ancient Greek civilization topics to go along with readings. Translation from Greek into English. For majors and non-majors. The format may vary by section: Class participation and attendance required; frequent homework assignments; quizzes, and tests. See more at: http://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~grk101 Levels: Undergraduate

CLAS 215 - Ancient Tragedy, Greece & Rome

Whereas today the word "tragedy" conjures up images of disaster and suffering, in classical Athens, tragedy above all meant entertainment for a mass audience. But what beyond entertainment did tragedy offer? Is the suffering depicted wholly foreign to modern sensibilities? Or do we moderns find there something to identify with? In this course, students will pursue that and similar questions. By studying the tragic drama of ancient Greece and Rome in English translation, and by comparing it to select instances of ancient comedy and to more recently produced tragedy, they shall deepen their understanding of an art form that boldly explored human existence at the extremes. Levels: Undergraduate

CLAS 212 - Greek and Roman Biography

In addition to their general fascination with history, Greeks, and Romans, like most modern societies, developed a strong interest in the public and private lives of the most famous personalities from their political and cultural traditions. Through reading and discussing the famous biographies of Plutarch and Suetonius, as well as some lesser-known biographical sketches, the Gospel of Luke and some ancient lives of saints, and a modern compilation of lives of famous Roman women, we will examine values and events that helped shape ancient and modern western civilization. Levels: Undergraduate

CLAS 350 - Saints and Sinners

In this course, we will study the lives of folks who lived during the Classical and Late Antique Periods in the Greco‐Roman Mediterranean and who were considered by their contemporaries and later authors to have led saintly lives. We examine what saintliness and sinfulness meant in the period under consideration (ca. 10 CE – 600CE) how they were constructed, which cultural and political forces were at work to make this so, and how the genre of hagiography came to be. Lives to be read include Antony of Egypt, Simeon Stylites, Mary of Egypt, Mary/Marinos, and others. 4 credits. Offered regularly. Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

A degree in classics provides an excellent launching pad for careers in almost any intellectually demanding field. For example, classics majors enjoy a distinct edge when applying to law school. But the degree applies across the board, from business to education to government to medicine (double majoring in biology and in a humanities field like classics can be a good strategy for medical school applicants.) In addition, this program emphasizes critical thinking writing, and oral presentation.

Career and career field possibilities are vast but include:

• Business
• Editor
• Grant writer
• Lawyer
• Legislative aide
• Librarian
• Public administrator
• Speechwriter
• Teacher
• Technical writer
• University/college professor