Classics Major & Minor
The Classical Studies Program offers two major tracks, with an option to complete either in 3 years, and a minor. Competence in Greek or Latin is required for the major tracks. Familiarity is recommended but not required for the minor. Through both major tracks and the minor, the program aims to develop in the student an appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of classical literature and a comprehension of the abiding principles of the Western heritage. The program is also interested in students who wish to relate Classics to work in wide array of other disciplines such as English, history, modern languages, philosophy, political science, or religion.
Students may receive credit toward the major tracks or the minor for courses in Latin or Greek taken before enrolling at Butler. A student who places at the 300 level and takes two 300 level courses with a grade of C or above will receive 9 credits. A student who places at the 200 level and takes two 200 level courses and two 300 level courses with a grade of C or above will receive 3 credits. Students who take the AP Latin test may also receive 3 credit hours for a 200 level course.
NOTE: Degree requirements for incoming students may not reflect the actual degree requirements of current students.
A minimum of 33 credit hours combined of CL, GK, and/or LT, to include the following:
- 24 hours of Latin or Greek courses
- At least six credit hours in both languages
- At least six credit hours of Greek OR Latin 300 level or above
- Three credit hours from CLA 101
- Three credit hours hours from HST301: Historiography, AN352: Ethnography, or AN390: Development of Anthropological Thought
- Three additional credit hours of 300+ courses from CLA courses
A minimum of 30 hours combined of CL, GK, and/or LT, to include the following:
- Six credit hours of Latin or Greek courses
- Six credit hours from BOTH Roman Perspectives (TI200-CL) and Ancient Greek Perspectives (TI201-CL)
- Three credit hours from CLA101: Close Encounters
- Six additional credit hours of 300 level or above from CLA, GK, or LT
- Three credit hours from HST301: Historiography, AN352: Ethnography, or AN390: Development ofAnthropological Thought
- Six elective credit hours from CLA, GK, or LT
Total hours required: 45
Required Courses (15 credits)
- Close Encounters (HST101 or AN101)
- Theory and Methods (HST301)
- Junior Seminar (HST302)
- Roman Perspectives (TI 200-CLA)
- Ancient Greek Perspectives (TI201-CLA)
Geographical Distribution (3 credits)
Any lower or upper division Classics, History, or Anthropology with a particular focus on Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, or World/Transnational History, such as Chinese Civilization (HST217). Other classes may be substituted with permission of the department chair.
Language (9 credits)
Upper-division Greek and Roman Culture from the following:
- Minimum of 9 hours of Latin or Greek
- Other ancient languages such as Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician, Sanskrit, etc. may be used here with approval from the program head
- Drama on the Ancient Stage (CLA 303)
- History of Ancient Philosophy (PL 311/CLA 304)
- The Art & Architecture of Greece and Rome (CLA 322)
- Women in Antiquity (CLA 323)
- Law and Orator (CLA 324)
- Sex, Gender, Love, and Friendship in the Classical World (HST 310)
- Ancient and Medieval Political Thought (PO 381)
- Paul and the Early Church (RL 308)
History or Classics Electives (9 credits), such as these recommended courses:
- Survey of Art History 1 (ART 105)
- Etymology (CLA 261)
- Mad Women: Film, Fiction, and History (TI 231-HST)
- Greek Art & Myth (PCA 262)
- Museum Studies (AN 347)
- Archive Fever (HST 404)
- Ancient language courses beyond the required 9 hours
18 credit hours
- 12 credit hours lower-division (100-200 level) CLA, GK, or LT courses
- At least six credit hours of upper-division (300-400 level) CLA, GK, or LT courses
Our program recognizes the quality of work many students have done before arriving on our campus. Students placing into the second or third year of Latin or Greek and completing at least 6 hours of study in the language at the upper level are eligible for 3–9 advanced placement credit hours toward the major or the minor.
Incoming first year and transfer students have access to the Latin placement exam through the my.butler placement exam portal. Returning students can request an exam be set up for them. For Greek placement, please contact the Department Chair of Philosophy, Religion, and Classics.
Within 24 hours of completing the exam, your placement results will appear:
- my.butler > Self Service > Student Center > Placement Test Results (beneath the “Academics” blue header)
Butler’s Center for Academic Success and Exploration provides extensive placement exam information.
- TI200-CLA, Roman Perspectives (U)(3), counts also for major/minor credit
- TI201-CLA, Ancient Greek Perspectives (U)(3), counts also for major/minor credit
- PCA262-CLA, Greek Art & Myth (U)(3), counts also for major/minor credit
- LT101, Elementary Latin I, (U)(3)
- LT102, Elementary Latin II (U)(3)
- LT203, Intermediate Latin I (U)(3)
- LT204, Intermediate Latin II (U)(3)
- LT301, Advanced Latin (U)(3)
- LT317, Latin Prose Composition (U)(3)
- LT360, Topics in Latin (U)(3)
- LT400, 401, 402, Independent Study (U/G)(1, 2, 3)
- LT499, Honors Thesis: Thesis Research (U)(3)
- GK101, Elementary Greek I (U)(3)
- GK102, Elementary Greek II (U)(3)
- GK203, Intermediate Ancient Greek (U)(3)
- GK204, Intermediate Greek (U)(3)
- GK301, Advanced Ancient Greek (U)(3)
- GK360, Topics in Ancient Greek (U)(3)
- GK400, 401, 402, Independent Study (U)(1,2,3)
- GK499, Honors Thesis: Thesis Research (U)(3)
- CLA261, Etymology (U)(3)
- CLA300, Study Tour of Greece (U)(6)
- CLA301, Epic Poetry (U)(3)
- CLA302, Lyric Poetry/Love Poetry (U)(3)
- CLA303, Drama on the Ancient Stage (U)(3)
- CLA304, History of Ancient Philosophy (U)(3)
- CLA322, Greek and Roman Art & Architecture (U)(3)
- CLA323, Women in Antiquity (U)(3)
- CLA324, Law and Orator: A Study of Ancient Law Through Legal Speeches (U)(3)
- CLA360, Topics in Classics (U)(3). Past topics have included Ancient Law and Archaeology of the Mediterranean
- CLA400, 401, 402, Independent Study (U)(1,2,3)
- CLA499, Honors Thesis (U)(3)
- HST310, Sex, Gender, Love and Friendship in the Classical World (U)(3)
- PL311, History of Ancient Philosophy (U)(3)
- PO381, Ancient and Medieval Political Thought (U)(3)
- RL308, Paul and the Early Church (U)(3)
Current students should consult their own academic advisement report in my.butler.edu to see their individual requirements and progress toward degree completion.