What is the study of classical languages and literatures?

In choosing the classical languages and literatures degree option, you’ll study ancient Greek and Roman history, philosophy and language, exploring the cultural foundations of Western civilization. This option includes language requirements in Greek and Latin, preparing you for graduate studies in the classics or teaching Latin at the secondary school level. Classical studies provide an excellent liberal arts foundation and you also will be well prepared for work or further studies in fields such as business, communications, law and medical school.

Why study classical languages and literature at UNH?

At UNH, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your own interests and will be encouraged to study course offerings outside the classics department in areas such as archaeology, ancient philosophy, linguistics and English literature. We are part of the consortium of universities that supports the Intercollegiate Center for the Classical Studies in Rome, and our department also manages a popular January-term course in the ancient city, as well as programs in Greece and Budapest.

Potential careers

Business owner
Diplomat
Government consultant
Journalist
Lawyer
Linguist
Museum curator
Professor
Researcher
Translator
Writer

Curriculum & Requirements

01

Program Description

The Classical Languages and Literatures (CLL) option allows for the most in-depth study of the ancient languages and requires knowledge of both Ancient Greek and Latin. It thus provides the strongest preparation for students considering graduate study in classics or related areas, and can also be an appropriate choice (with careful planning) for those thinking about teaching Latin in secondary schools. At the same time, it is designed for any student who desires a solid liberal arts education.

02

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
LATN 401 or GREK 401	Elementary Latin I or Elementary Classical Greek I	4
CLAS 401	Classical Mythology	4
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing	4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
LATN 402 or GREK 402	Elementary Latin II or Elementary Classical Greek II	4
CLAS 404	Introduction to Roman Civilization	4
Discovery Course		4
Elective or Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
LATN 503 or GREK 503	Intermediate Latin I or Intermediate Classical Greek I	4
LATN 401 or GREK 401	Elementary Latin I or Elementary Classical Greek I	4
CLAS 520A	Classical Society, Politics and Ethics: Democracies and Republics	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
LATN 504 or GREK 504	Intermediate Latin II or Intermediate Classical Greek II	4
LATN 402 or GREK 402	Elementary Latin II or Elementary Classical Greek II	4
Discovery Course		4
Major Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
LATN 605 or GREK 753	Readings in Latin Literature (or Elective Course) or Advanced Study in Athenian Literature	4
LATN 503 or GREK 503	Intermediate Latin I or Intermediate Classical Greek I	4
CLAS 601	Classical Myth II: The Power and Persistence of Myth	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
LATN 753 or GREK 754	Advanced Studies in the Literature of the Golden Age or	4
LATN 504 or GREK 504	Intermediate Latin II or Intermediate Classical Greek II	4
CLAS 677 or HIST 677	History of Ancient Rome or History of Ancient Rome	4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
CLAS 701W	Capstone Course	4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
Major Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	128

03

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Classics majors may use two major-required courses to satisfy two Discovery category requirements.

The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

To complete the CLL option of the classics major, a student must complete 10 courses (40 credits), distributed as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Language Courses ¹
Select at least 12 credits at the 503 level or above ²		12-24
Including:
Select at least one class at the 700 level in the primary language (GREK or LATN)
Select at least one class at the 504 level or above in the secondary language (LATN or GREK)
Non-Language Courses
Select at least 16 credits in CLAS courses. As many as 28 credits may be counted toward this option. ³		16-28
Capstone
Select an approved capstone experience of the following:
CLAS 701W	Capstone Course
Senior thesis
Honors thesis

At least 8 credits in 700-level LATN or GREK courses
Approved internship
Approved semester study abroad focused on the classical world
Total Credits		40

¹: No credits from language courses at the 400 level may be counted toward this option.
²: Students may count as many as 24 toward the CLL major option.
³: No more than 4 credits may come from courses at the 400 level. There are also courses taught outside of the program that are approved substitutes for CLAS courses, and the department will accept up to 8 credits from such courses. An up-to-date list of these courses is available from departmental advisers and additional exceptions are allowed with the written approval of the adviser.

04

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Translate, contextualize, and interpret key texts in their primary language (Greek or Latin) at the upper level.
Translate, contextualize, and interpret intermediate-level texts in their secondary language (Greek or Latin).
Demonstrate an accurate understanding of linguistic concepts related to Greek and Latin including the elements of phonetics, semantics, and morphology and syntax at an upper level for their primary language and at an intermediate level for their secondary language.
Analyze and critique, including in essays or papers, the cultural, literary, and historical significance of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and how they have been received in later periods.