Classical Civilization BA

Overview

The civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome have made important contributions to the political, social, artistic, and intellectual development of the Western world. The purpose of the Classical Civilization major is to provide students with a formal and balanced introduction to the historical and cultural experiences of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The program of study is structured, yet not rigid. Lower-division survey courses and requirements in elementary language study, ancient history, and classical art establish an essential background of knowledge, while electives encourage individual and specialized interests. The program offers a broad range of courses in the fields of language, literature, history, mythology, religion, philosophy, art, and archaeology. The major serves as excellent and rewarding preparation for a professional career in medicine, law, business, journalism, communications, or the arts.

The Classical Civilization major is a designated capstone majors. Undergraduate students take a capstone seminar in which they use the skills and expertise acquired in earlier coursework to research, analyze, and complete a written paper or project. They identify and analyze ancient classical documents, material evidence, or other forms of … For more content click the Read More button below.

The Classical Civilization major is a designated capstone majors. Undergraduate students take a capstone seminar in which they use the skills and expertise acquired in earlier coursework to research, analyze, and complete a written paper or project. They identify and analyze ancient classical documents, material evidence, or other forms of primary sources and demonstrate their critical skills by engaging in presentations and weekly discourse with their peers.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrated specific skills and expertise, including research, analysis, and writing

Identification and analysis of appropriate ancient sources, material evidence, and other primary documents appropriate to the field

Engagement with peers through presentation, discussion, and critique of student work

Conception and execution of a project that identifies and engages with a specialized topic

Working knowledge of scholarly discourse relative to a specialized topic

Requirements

Preparation for the Major

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the Classical Civilization major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission to UCLA: one classical Greek culture course, one Roman civilization course, and one course in Greek or Roman literature in translation, classical mythology, or classical archaeology.

Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

The Major

Required: (1) Nine upper-division courses in the department (courses in related fields not offered by the department may be substituted by petition and with approval of the undergraduate adviser)—no more than three may be selected from Greek 100 through 133 or Latin 100 through 133, and Classics 198A and 198B may be applied as only one course toward the major and (2) one capstone seminar (Classics 191). All other courses in the 190 series may be substituted only by petition.

The Major Policies

Honors Program

Admission

The honors program is open to Classical Civilization majors with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in departmental courses and an overall GPA of 3.25 or better. Students with lower GPAs may petition for admission to the program, but these grade-point averages must be achieved before graduation in order to qualify for honors.

Requirements

All honors students are required to take Classics 191 (or an equivalent undergraduate seminar) in their junior year before beginning work on the honors thesis. Students must then enroll in Classics 198A and 198B in consecutive terms, in which they write the thesis under the direct supervision of a faculty member. They may take courses 198A and 198B concurrently or be exempt from course 198A only with approval of the faculty undergraduate adviser. In course 198A students submit an annotated bibliography and preliminary outline of their thesis. In course 198B, they submit at least one initial draft and the final revised version of the thesis. Only course 198B may be applied toward the upper-division classical civilization requirement for departmental majors.

To qualify for graduation with departmental honors, students must (1) have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in departmental courses and an overall GPA of 3.25 or better and (2) complete Classics 198A and 198B with grades of A- or better.

To qualify for graduation with departmental highest honors, students must (1) have a cumulative GPA of 3.85 or better in departmental courses and an overall GPA of 3.65 or better and (2) complete Classics 198A and 198B with grades of A.