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The classical humanities major combines two semesters of language study with elective coursework that explores the literature, civilization, and culture of Greece, Rome, and the Ancient Near East. Students choose from a wide variety of courses, including everything from CLASSICS 150 Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters to CLASSICS 308 Sex and Violence in the Ancient Near East. Students will also find offerings in art, architecture, archaeology, gender studies, history, literature, philosophy, and politics. In addition to enhancing their language study, these subjects enable our majors to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the ancient world.

Latin and ancient Greek are regularly offered and provide the foundation for modern English vocabulary, giving context and insight into the history of the words we use today. Class sizes are small, making the experience more personal and creating opportunities for meaningful learning outcomes.

To support classical humanities majors as they pursue their educational goals, CANES provides annual scholarship opportunities. We also offer a summer study abroad program led by members of our faculty. Learn more under "Resources and Scholarships."

How to Get in

Declaring the Major

Declare the Classical Humanities major by contacting advising@canes.wisc.edu

Students who declare the Classical Humanities major may not combine this major (“double major”) with the Classics or Latin major starting Fall 2023. The major may also not be combined with the Certificate in Classical Studies at the Undergraduate Level. 

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A Part B *

* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements.

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science curriculum.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Mathematics Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework.
Language
  • Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English; OR
  • Complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English.
LS Breadth
  • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include 6 credits of literature; and
  • 12 credits of Social Science; and
  • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include one 3+ credit Biological Science course and one 3+ credit Physical Science course.
Liberal Arts and Science Coursework Complete at least 108 credits.
Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level.
Major Declare and complete at least one major.
Total Credits Complete at least 120 credits.
UW-Madison Experience
  • 30 credits in residence, overall; and
  • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
Quality of Work
  • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison
  • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison

Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major

Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.

Requirements for the Major

The Classical Humanities major consists of a combination of courses in ancient culture and classical languages. The major requirements are divided into three areas: Language, Literature and Culture, and Seminar. 

The major requires a minimum of 28 credits and the specific requirements include:

Language

Complete one of the following:  
2 semesters of Greek8 credits
First Semester Ancient Greek
and Second Semester Ancient Greek
2 semesters of Latin8 credits
First Semester Latin
and Second Semester Latin
1 semester of accelerated Latin4 credits
Elementary Intensive Latin
2 semesters of Biblical Hebrew8 credits
Elementary Biblical Hebrew, I
and Elementary Biblical Hebrew, II
1 semester of accelerated Biblical Hebrew4 credits
Intensive Elementary Biblical Hebrew

Literature and Culture

21 credits as follows:

Intermediate/Advanced Literature and Culture12
The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece
The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome
Sex and Violence in the Ancient Near East
Africana Approaches to Biblical Interpretation
The Greeks
The Egyptians: History, Society, and Literature
The Romans
Prophets of the Bible
King David in History and Tradition
Conspiracy in the Ancient and Modern Worlds
Jewish Literature of the Greco-Roman Period
Women and Gender in the Classical World
Sex and Power in Greece and Rome
Topics in Greek Culture
Topics in Roman Culture
Topics in Classical Culture
Ancient Texts, Modern Contexts
Topics in Classical Archaeology
Biblical Archaeology
Greeks, Romans and the Natural Environment
Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean
Palmyra and the Palmyrenes
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Thesis
Directed Reading
Third Semester Ancient Greek
Fourth Semester Ancient Greek
Readings in Greek Literature
Elementary Prose Composition
Homer
Hesiod
Greek Lyric Poets
Greek Comedy
Greek Tragedy
Herodotus
Thucydides
Greek Philosophical Writers
Attic Orators
Hellenistic Greek
Honors Thesis
Senior Thesis
Directed Study
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, I
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, II
Third Semester Latin
Fourth Semester Latin
Readings in Latin Literature
Elementary Prose Composition
Vergil
Latin Poetry
Roman Drama
Roman Lyric Poetry
Roman Satire
Roman Novel
Latin Historical Writers
Latin Philosophical Writers
Latin Oratory
Mediaeval Latin
Honors Thesis
Senior Thesis
Directed Study
Myths, Loves, and Lives in Greek Vases
Greek Sculpture
Icons, Religion, and Empire: Early Christian and Byzantine Art, ca. 200-1453
Cities and Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece
Proseminar in Ancient Art
Western Intellectual and Religious History to 1500
A History of Greek Civilization
A History of Rome
Ancient and Medieval Science
History of Ancient Philosophy
Classical Philosophers
Literature and Culture Electives9
Legacy of Greece and Rome in Modern Culture
The Ancient Mediterranean
Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters
Greek and Latin Origins of Medical Terms
Classical Influences on Western Art and Science
Introduction to Biblical Literature (in English)
Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
Classical Mythology
First Semester Ancient Greek
Second Semester Ancient Greek
Elementary Biblical Hebrew, I
Elementary Biblical Hebrew, II
Intensive Elementary Biblical Hebrew
First Semester Latin
Second Semester Latin
Elementary Intensive Latin
Ancient Animals and Peoples
History of Western Art I: From Pyramids to Cathedrals
Culture & Society in the Ancient Mediterranean
The World of Late Antiquity (200-900 C.E.)
Western Culture: Literature and the Arts I
Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought I
Total Credits21

Seminar  

1 course from the following:3
Undergraduate Seminar: Approaches to the Classical World 1
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Thesis
Elementary Prose Composition
Homer
Hesiod
Greek Lyric Poets
Greek Comedy
Greek Tragedy
Herodotus
Thucydides
Greek Philosophical Writers
Attic Orators
Hellenistic Greek
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Thesis
Elementary Prose Composition
Vergil
Latin Poetry
Roman Drama
Roman Lyric Poetry
Roman Satire
Roman Novel
Latin Historical Writers
Latin Philosophical Writers
Latin Oratory
Mediaeval Latin
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Thesis
Total Credits3

Residence and Quality of Work

  • 2.000 GPA in all CLASSICS, GREEK, HEBR-BIB, and LATIN courses and all other courses in the major
  • 2.000 GPA in 15 upper-level major credits, taken in residence2
  • 15 credits in CLASSICS, GREEK, and LATIN, taken on the UW–Madison campus

Honors in the Major

Students may declare Honors in the Classical Humanities Major in consultation with the Classical Humanities undergraduate advisor.

Honors in the Major in Classical Humanities: Requirements

To earn Honors in the Major in Classical Humanities, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:

  • Earn a 3.300 University GPA
  • Earn a 3.500 GPA in all CLASSICS, GREEK, HEBR-BIB, and LATIN courses, and all courses accepted in the major, at the upper-level
  • Complete the following coursework:
    • 9 credits, taken for Honors, with a grade of B or better, from the list of Literature and Culture requirements above
    • A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in CLASSICS 681 and CLASSICS 682, for a total of 6 credits

Footnotes

1

CLASSICS 591 is typically offered every spring semester; it is normally taken senior year.

2

Courses at the Intermediate and Advanced levels are considered upper-level in this major.

University Degree Requirements 

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern societies and cultures.
  2. Demonstrate competence in the critical methodologies of textual and material analysis with a view to social and cultural interpretation.
  3. Compare and critique ancient Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern societies and cultures to demonstrate intercultural competence and ethical reasoning.
  4. Create new knowledge in ancient Greek, Roman, or Near Eastern studies.

Sample Four-Year Plan

This Sample Four-Year Plan is a tool to assist students and their advisor(s). Students should use it—along with their DARS report, the Degree Planner, and Course Search & Enroll tools—to make their own four-year plan based on their placement scores, credit for transferred courses and approved examinations, and individual interests. As students become involved in athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, volunteer experiences, and/or work, they might adjust the order of their courses to accommodate these experiences. Students will likely revise their own four-year plan several times during college.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LATIN 103 or GREEK 1034LATIN 104, GREEK 104, or LATIN 39114
One CLASSICS or related course at Elementary level3One CLASSICS or related course at Elementary level3
Communication Part A (complete during first year)3Quantitative Reasoning Part A (complete during first year)4
Biological Science Breadth4Ethnic Studies 3
 14 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CLASSICS 320 or 32223One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level3
Physical Science Breadth4Quantitative Reasoning B4
Social Science Breadth3Social Science Breadth3
Continue language study for BA/BS OR Elective 3Continue language study for BA OR Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level3One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level3
Social Science Breadth3Social Science Breadth3
Science Breadth3Science Breadth3
Elective3Elective 3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level3CLASSICS 5913
Electives12Electives12
 15 15
Total Credits 120
1

LATIN 391 Elementary Intensive Latin is an accelerated course equal to LATIN 103 First Semester Latin and LATIN 104 Second Semester Latin combined

2

 Fulfills Communication Part B & L&S Literature Breadth requirement

Advising and Careers

Advising

If you like to plan, seeing your major advisor is very important; it can make the difference between fitting in Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters and Sex and Violence in the Ancient Near East before you graduate. Many students also try to complete more than one major or certificate, and discussing how you might be able to reach this goal is another primary role of your major advisor. Advisors can speak to you about course content, which courses fit best with your interest areas, and what kinds of courses might work best with your learning style. Any and all of these discussions can occur during your advising appointment.

In addition to discussing the major, advisors know a lot about:

  • General Education requirements
  • Breadth requirements
  • Interpreting university policies and deadlines
  • Connecting majors to careers
  • Getting involved with campus organizations
  • Finding volunteer and/or internship opportunities
  • Talking about your challenges and difficulties
  • Connecting with tutors
  • Choosing a study abroad program
  • Practicing for interviews
  • Talking about graduate school
  • Proofreading résumés and cover letters

Careers

Humanities majors enable students to consider just about any type of career or educational pursuit. Our coursework builds the critical thinking and communication skills needed to succeed in careers ranging from politics and education to business and law.   

Think about what you learn in a classroom setting as well as what you do each day to be a successful student; the skills you develop are equally important in the workplace:

  • critical reading, reflection, and analysis
  • expanded world view and exposure to new ideas/ways of thinking 
  • effective teamwork to advance a common project/purpose
  • effective time-management and self-motivation to complete projects independently
  • demonstrated writing proficiency in short and long essay format
  • discussion and debate strategies
  • proper research design and methodology 
  • broader knowledge of career and graduate-study options

One of the more significant skills CANES majors develop is language acquisition. Study of ancient Greek, Latin, or Biblical Hebrew sets you apart and demonstrates your willingness to explore and expand your understanding of history and culture. In addition, the study of ancient languages shows discipline and perseverance.  Overall, you will have a wide variety of skills and talents to start you on the path to a rewarding career! Visit our Alumni page and our Career and Skill Development page for more information.

L&S Career Resources

Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities.  SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.

In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.

Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.

People

Please visit the Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies website for a complete list of faculty, instructional, and academic staff.

Resources and Scholarships

Scholarships and Prizes

In addition to routinely nominating or recommending exemplary undergraduate majors for national, regional, local, and university awards, CANES offers the following opportunities for financial support to our majors annually:

Ruth M. Kuhlman Undergraduate Scholarship

Established in 1998 with a bequest from Myron George Kuhlman in memory of his wife, Ruth Miller Kuhlman (BS in Education '32), this is a monetary award for undergraduates to benefit and advance their studies within the field of classics. The total amount of the award may be up to $2,500, and the award may not be granted every academic year depending on the quality of entries and availability of funds. This competition is open to majors only. The call usually goes out in November and closes in February. 

Gertrude E. Slaughter Summer Study Scholarship

A monetary award in memory of Gertrude E. Slaughter, author and widow of Professor Moses S. Slaughter 1896–1923, for undergraduate students to advance their studies at an accredited center such as the American School in Athens or the American Academy in Rome, to participate in study abroad, or to participate in an active archaeological field project. Awards will be in the amount of up to $800. This competition is open to majors only. The call usually goes out in November and closes in February. 

Logan Prize for Greek Translation

A monetary award in memory of Fellow of Classics, John Watson Logan (PhD '23), for the translation of a passage of ancient Greek. The passage will be selected each year by the chair of the Prize Committee and awards may not be granted every academic year depending on the quality of entries. This competition is open to all undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of ancient Greek and is normally publicized in classes and to department majors in early April.

Pillinger Prize for Latin Translation

A monetary award in memory of Assistant Professor Hugh Edward Pillinger (1965-1970) for the translation of a passage in Latin. The passage will be selected each year by the chair of the Prize Committee and awards may not be granted every academic year depending on the quality of entries. This competition is open to all undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of Latin and is normally publicized in classes and to department majors in early April.

Study Abroad

CANES offers two options for summer study: UW–Classics in Greece and UW–Classics in Italy.

Each three-week program is offered alternating summers and guided by a department faculty member; students may earn three credits taking Classics 568: Topics in Classical Literature.

To learn more, visit our website.