Professor R. Bruce Hitchner, Chair; Roman history and
archaeology, international relations
Professor Gregory R. Crane, Winnick Family Chair in Technology and
Entrepreneurship; Greek literature, computers and classics
Professor Peter L. D. Reid, Latin and Greek literatures, medieval Latin
Associate Professor Steven W. Hirsch, Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern history
Associate Professor Joanne H. Phillips, Latin and Greek literatures, Greek and
Roman medicine
Assistant Professor Emma Blake,
Greek archaeology
Lecturer Anne Mahoney, Greek and Latin literature
Lecturer Peter Der Manuelian, Egyptian history and archaeology,
hieroglyphs
Lecturer Betsey J. Halpern, Latin and Greek literatures
Lecturer Regina Merzlak, Latin and Greek literatures
Lecturer Susan Setnik, Greek and Latin Language
The Department of Classics is dedicated to the study of Greek and Roman culture and to clarifying and assessing its continuing impact on contemporary life. Classics is more than the study of the Greek and Latin languages; it can liberate the student from the parochialisms of both time and place. The role of the contemporary individual in relation to society can be examined through the history, archaeology, art, architecture, science, philosophy, religion, mythology, and especially through the literatures of Greece and Rome.
Classics constitutes an interdisciplinary study of the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Europe. Despite the period of antiquity in which it concentrates, the field of classics is constantly changing in light of new discoveries, new methodologies, new interpretations, and new relationships with other areas of study. In many ways classics offers the undergraduate student an ideal educational opportunity to integrate different fields and methodologies, and to study intrinsically interesting and time-tested topics in the literature, mythology, art, archaeology, history, and science of Greece and Rome.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements
Majors in the Department of Classics meet the requirements of four classes of students: 1)
those who have no professional interest in classics but who wish to bring together
disparate distribution and foundation requirements for a coherent liberal arts major; 2)
those who want a combined major in Latin, Greek, or Classical Studies and one of the
natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities; 3) those who want an intensive study of
Greek or Latin preparatory to postgraduate study in another field, such as law, theology,
medicine, philosophy, history, English, or modern languages; 4) those who are
professionally interested in the classics and who plan to do postgraduate study in the
field and then teach or engage in research or museum work.
Major in Classical Studies
Ten courses are required, usually distributed as follows: Classics 31 and 32; two courses
from either Classics 37, 38, or Classics 27, 164, 168; two additional classics courses
numbered above 100; two other courses offered by the Department of Classics (strongly
recommended are Latin 3 and above, and Greek language courses); and two courses which may
be in related fields.
Major in Greek
Ten courses: four courses in Greek, one of which may be Greek 7 (intermediate level),
depending on a student's prior level of preparation, and at least three at the 100
level; Classics 31 (Classics of Greece); Classics 37 (History of Greece); and four other
courses in the department, of which at least two must be at the 100 level.
Major in Latin
Ten courses; five in Latin above the intermediate level, including at least three at the
100 level; plus Classics 32 (Classics of Rome); Classics 38 (History of Rome); and three
other courses in the department, of which two must be at the 100 level.
Major in Greek and Latin
Ten courses--six courses in Greek and Latin above the intermediate level, of which four
must be at the 100 level; four other courses offered by the department.
Interdisciplinary Major in Archaeology
A detailed description of this major can be found in the alphabetical listings in this
bulletin under Archaeology.
Placement for Entering Undergraduate Students
Students with two years of secondary school preparation in Latin are placed in Latin 3.
Students with three or four years of preparation in Latin are placed in Latin 3, or 21,
22, depending on CEEB examination or previous records, together with placement
examination and individual consultation. In Latin as in other languages, the student is
urged not to prejudge his or her college courses on the basis of secondary school
experience. Students who place above Latin 3 may complete the language requirement in any
one of the three available options, including classical studies (see information
concerning foundation requirements). Students with scores of four or five on the Advanced
Placement Examination or with an Achievement Test score of 720 or above will be given
advanced placement into Latin 21 or above and acceleration credit of one course. With a
score of three, students will be placed into Latin 21 or above; with a score of two, into
Latin 3. During orientation every student is encouraged to discuss any unusual placement
problem with members of the department so that in every case the student is placed in the
appropriate course.
Undergraduate Minor Program
The Department of Classics offers minors in Latin, in Greek, in Greek archaeology, in
Roman archaeology, in Greek civilization, and in Roman civilization. Details are available
from the departmental office.
Graduate Program
Master of Arts in Classics
The master's program in classics at Tufts is designed for students who wish to go beyond
the bachelor's level to attain a broader and deeper knowledge of the classics for one or
more of the following purposes: teaching background, further graduate study, cultural
enrichment. With its strong language component, faculty strength in literature, history,
and archaeology, and access to computer applications, this program particularly suits
those who want either to consolidate and improve their language, research, and teaching
skills in preparation for a Ph.D. degree at another institution or to teach classics at
the secondary level.
REQUIREMENTS
1) Applicants will usually have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate Latin or
Greek major. If not, additional courses will be required for completion of the master's
degree.
2) Candidates must successfully complete eight graduate courses, of which a minimum of two must be in Latin and a minimum of two must be in Greek. Candidates who are in-service teachers, and they alone, may meet the Greek requirement in two undergraduate courses above Greek 1, 2; however, only courses in Greek at the graduate level may be counted toward the eight courses required for the degree.
3) A candidate for the master's degree must be in residence for the equivalent of one academic year. The master's degree may be earned on a part-time basis through courses offered by the department during the regular academic year and by summer school courses. No degree is granted on the basis of summer school work only.
4) Reading knowledge of Latin or Greek and one modern foreign language (usually German or French) is tested by examination.
5) To demonstrate research and presentation the candidate may submit for evaluation by a faculty committee either two papers (written for courses at Tufts and revised as necessary after completion of the course) or a thesis. The thesis normally counts as two of the required eight courses.
6) A comprehensive written examination integrating course work with a general knowledge
of Greek and Latin literatures. An oral examination based primarily on the papers or
thesis. Candidates accepting assistantships (i.e., work in the department) should
anticipate a more extended time schedule; furthermore, students usually find that writing
a thesis takes a full term of uninterrupted work.
Master of Arts in Classical Archaeology
The master's program in classical archaeology provides students with the artistic,
cultural, social, and historical context for the materials of classical antiquity and has
successfully prepared students for work toward a doctorate, or for fieldwork or museum
work.
REQUIREMENTS
1) Applicants will usually have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate classics
major or ancient art or archaeology major with intermediate levels in Latin or Greek or in
both languages.
2) The candidate must successfully complete nine graduate courses, as follows: three graduate courses in Latin or Greek; three graduate courses in art and archaeology; one graduate course in ancient history; and a two-credit thesis. In addition, both fieldwork and laboratory work are requirements, either as documented past experience or to be fulfilled during completion of the master's degree.
3) Reading knowledge of either Latin or Greek and one modern foreign language (French, German, or Italian) is tested by examination.
4) To demonstrate research and presentation, a thesis, counting for two course credits, with subject chosen in consultation with the student's adviser, must be submitted for approval and evaluation to a faculty committee.
5) A comprehensive written examination integrating course work with a general knowledge of classical archaeology is required, as well as an oral examination based primarily on the thesis.
6) Residency for the equivalent of one academic year is required. The degree may be earned on a part-time basis through courses offered by the department during the regular academic year and through summer school courses. No degree is granted on the basis of summer school work only.
For more detailed information, please visit the website http://www.ase.tufts.edu/classics.
To view Course Descriptions, please go to: http://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp.