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 |
* 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 Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science 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 the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| Language | Complete the third unit of a language other than English. |
| L&S Breadth | Complete: • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and • 12 credits of Social Science; and • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science. |
| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | 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 | Complete both: • 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: | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2 semesters of Greek | 8 credits | |
| First Semester Ancient Greek and Second Semester Ancient Greek | ||
| 2 semesters of Latin | 8 credits | |
| First Semester Latin and Second Semester Latin | ||
| 1 semester of accelerated Latin | 4 credits | |
| Elementary Intensive Latin | ||
| 2 semesters of Biblical Hebrew | 8 credits | |
| Elementary Biblical Hebrew, I and Elementary Biblical Hebrew, II | ||
| 1 semester of accelerated Biblical Hebrew | 4 credits | |
| Intensive Elementary Biblical Hebrew | ||
Literature and Culture
21 credits as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate/Advanced Literature and Culture | 12 | |
| 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 | ||
CLASSICS 372 | ||
| 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 | ||
LATIN 522 | ||
| 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 | ||
HIST SCI 322 | ||
| History of Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Classical Philosophers | ||
| Literature and Culture Electives | 9 | |
| 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 | ||
HISTORY 111 | ||
HISTORY 112 | ||
| Western Culture: Literature and the Arts I | ||
| Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought I | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Seminar
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
LATIN 522 | ||
| Roman Satire | ||
| Roman Novel | ||
| Latin Historical Writers | ||
| Latin Philosophical Writers | ||
| Latin Oratory | ||
| Mediaeval Latin | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
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
- Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern societies and cultures.
- Demonstrate competence in the critical methodologies of textual and material analysis with a view to social and cultural interpretation.
- Compare and critique ancient Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern societies and cultures to demonstrate intercultural competence and ethical reasoning.
- Create new knowledge in ancient Greek, Roman, or Near Eastern studies.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LATIN 103 or GREEK 103 | 4 | LATIN 104, GREEK 104, or LATIN 3911 | 4 |
| One CLASSICS or related course at Elementary level | 3 | One CLASSICS or related course at Elementary level | 3 |
| Communication Part A (complete during first year) | 3 | Quantitative Reasoning Part A (complete during first year) | 4 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 4 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CLASSICS 320 or 3222 | 3 | One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level | 3 |
| Physical Science Breadth | 4 | Quantitative Reasoning B | 4 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Continue language study for BA/BS OR Elective | 3 | Continue language study for BA OR Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level | 3 | One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| One CLASSICS or related course at Intermediate level | 3 | CLASSICS 591 | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | Electives | 12 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
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.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives
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.