Classics
Classics Program
The Classics Program includes the study of all facets of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, including history, philosophy, drama, history of science, textual criticism, religion, archeology and art history. In addition to comparative genre courses and film courses, Classics studies also include reception theory, Western traditions, and the vast influence of Greek and Roman myths, literature, and culture on contemporary and later literature and theory.
Classics Major (BA)
Students majoring in Classics choose between a specialization in ancient Greek or Latin language and literature. The program consists of a year of language acquisition with focus on the phonology, morphology, grammar and syntax of Greek and Latin. A second year of Intermediate Greek or Latin introduces the student to key authors such as Homer and Plato or Cicero and Virgil. Upper division courses offer intensive studies of major authors in both prose and poetry with offerings in epic, drama, lyric poetry, philosophy and history. The capstone allows the student to choose a specific area and topic for a project which demonstrates his/her skills in language, theory and writing.
GREEK SPECIALIZATION REQUIREMENTS LATIN SPECIALIZATION REQUIREMENTS WLC Practicum Options
Note that this plan is a prediction of courses but does not guarantee this exact availability of courses. Also note that students with prior language learning experience do not necessarily need to begin at the 1010 level and should visit our Language Placement FAQ page for questions about where to begin.
Classics Minor
Students minoring in Classics can choose from a Classics Minor with a specialization in
either Greek or Latin, or a minor in Classical Civilizations. Students are required
to declare their minor at least two semesters before their expected graduation date.
CLASSICS MINOR GREEK EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS CLASSICS MINOR LATIN EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION minor REQUIREMENTS
Learning Outcomes Assessment for Classics Majors (Greek and Latin Emphases)
Development of language proficiency in Greek and Latin will be track through a benchmark quiz administered at the beginning of GREEK and LATIN 1020 (the start of the Classics majors). This quiz will assess a student’s knowledge of vocabulary and grammar as well as their ability to comprehend and translate short passages appropriate after one semester of language instruction.
Progress in language proficiency will be tracked through the final exam in GREEK and LATIN 4620, (the highest required language level for majors). Students will demonstrate linguistic proficiency and comprehension through extended translation of original Greek or Latin texts.
Although the emphasis in the Classics majors is on language proficiency, we will also assess cultural competency and professional skills (in particular, academic research skills) through the completion of a research project through either WLC 3880 or an Honors Thesis. These two measurements will demonstrate the culmination of a student’s experience rather than track progress over the course of the major.
Student Experience
Learning Abroad
Learning abroad is the opportunity to live, study and intern abroad while completing your degree here at the University of Utah. Learning Abroad helps connect you to over 500+ program options in over 50 countries, many of which are great for improving your proficiency in another language. Learn more about Learning Abroad by visiting learningabroad.utah.edu and completing Learning Abroad 101.
To get started, see below for program options for Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, and Latin.
For questions, email Learning Abroad at learningabroad@utah.edu, call them at 801-581-5849, or visit in person at Union 159.
Exchanges
The U partners with universities around the world to offer you the opportunity to complete coursework in an immersive university environment alongside local students. Coursework can be quite flexible with students oftentimes completing major, minor, and general education requirements. Additionally, the cost of an exchange program is the same as paying U of U resident tuition, which makes exchanges one of our most affordable options!
Eta Sigma Phi Honors Society
Eta Sigma Phi is the national Honors society for students studying Greek and Latin languages, literatures and cultures. Any student completing one year's study of an ancient language is an eligible candidate for admission into Eta Sigma Phi. The local chapter of Eta Sigma Phi has been extremely active over the past several years and has sponsored several lectures by visiting scholars, Homerfest, the Ides of March Festival and several other events.
Resources for the Study of Classics
The Marriott Library's collection includes all the primary texts, secondary sources and journals necessary to complete an undergraduate course of study in Classics. The DiBona Center for Educational Technology complements the library's texts with a collection of images illustrating the sites, material objects and myths of ancient Greece and Rome.
The Nick Yengich Latin Competition
The Nick Yengich Latin Competition is an annual opportunity for university students of Latin to test their skills in translation on a "sight" passage from a Roman author. Each Spring students from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Utah State University compete for cash prizes in an event which evaluates their skills at the end of a year's instruction in Latin. Level I consists of students finishing their first year of Latin, who are challenged by a Latin prose artist such as Cicero or Caesar. Level II consists of undergraduates beyond their first year, who are challenged by a Roman poet such as Catullus or Martial. The Nick Yengich Latin Competition is unique in its statewide participants and in its cash prizes, which range from $200 to $25 on both levels. The project is supported by the Nick Yengich Foundation, which contributes the annual cash prizes, and by the Classics faculties of the participating universities, who create, administer and adjudicate the competition.
Faculty
Tenure-Line Faculty
Jordan Johansen
Assistant Professor
jordan.johansen@utah.edu
Associate Professor
margaret.toscano@utah.edu
(801) 581-4768
Associate Professor
john.wynne@utah.edu
(801) 581-8384
Career-Line Faculty
Associate Professor, Lecturer
alexis.christensen@utah.edu
(801) 581-6057
Languages
Students majoring or minoring in Classics choose between a specialization in ancient Greek or Latin language and literature. We teach Ancient and Modern Greek, and Latin.
Modern Greek
Modern Greek refers to the Greek language spoken in modern times. Approximately 17 million people speak Greek today, mainly in Greece and Cyprus, where it is the official language. In addition, it is spoken by minority and immigrant communities in many other countries.
We do not offer a major or minor in Modern Greek. If you are interested please look in to our Classics program which includes the study of Classical Greek and Latin, as well as all facets of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome: history, philosophy, drama, history of science, textual criticism, religion, archeology and art history.
Ancient Greek
Information Coming Soon
Latin
Information Coming Soon