The Program in Classics (Latin and Greek)

DEPARTMENT OF GREEK AND LATIN

Baccalaureate Studies

Goals and Assessment of Student Outcomes

The instructional and research focus of the Department of Greek and Latin at The Catholic University of America is much broader than that of most other Classics departments, as it begins roughly with the poetry of Homer (8th-7th century B.C.) and extends forward past the typical later chronological limit (approximately A.D. 200) into the Middle Ages.The department’s faculty study and teach Greek language and literature fromHomer through lateantiquity, Latin from its beginnings in the 7th century B.C. through the late medieval period, and the history, archeology, fine arts, and civilization of both classical and Christian antiquity. Among the Department’s offerings are three undergraduate programs of study. These humanities-centered curricula incorporate distinct interdisciplinary approaches designed to engage majors in acquiring a broad perspective for understanding the formative Greek and Roman era within the context of Western civilization.

Bachelor of Arts in Classics (Greek and Latin)

Program Description

The aim of CUA’s interdisciplinary program in Classicsis to provide majors with a carefully designed opportunity to study the world of classical antiquity and to understand its role in the formation of Western civilization. The primary emphasis of this major is to inculcate competence in both the ancient languages and to study some of the great works of classical literature in the original languages. Core requirements consist of six or seven courses in Greek, six or seven in Latin, two in ancient history, and two in art history. In the elementary language sequences (GREEK 101-102, LATIN 101-102) beginners learn the fundamental morphological, grammatical, and syntactical principles of Greek and Latin, which they systematically review in the intermediate sequences (GREEK 103-104, LATIN 103-104), the first language and literature courses within the major itself. Subsequent courses include introductions to the formal composition of grammatically correct Greek and Latin prose (GREEK 511, LATIN 511), as well as the close reading, study, and translation of representative ancient authors. Advanced seminars in each language (GREEK 465, LATIN 465) provide carefully integrated surveys of the histories of both literatures. Required courses in ancient history (CLASSICS 205-206) and art history (CLASSICS 317-318) contribute to a broad understanding of the culture and civilization of the Greco-Roman world and encourage the exploration of interdisciplinary issues. These two course sequences make use of the department’s archaeological collections, and the courses in Greco-Roman art and architecture may involve trips to the classical collections of local galleries, such as the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. Internships in these galleries are also available for those majors interested in careers as classical art curators or archaeologists. Majors may similarly arrange to study abroad (one semester or both) in Rome, Athens or elsewhere, or during the summer to pursue archaeological research in the classical lands of the Mediterranean. In all its language, literature, history, and art history courses, the Classics curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of the habits of firm, critical judgment; precise and articulate expression, and intelligent, responsible reflection that derive from the careful and dedicated study of the sources of our Western literary, philosophical, and artistic civilization.

The department considers this emphasis to be an excellent preparation for post-baccalaureate studies and the world of work in general. Its majors typically proceed to graduate or professional studies and to careers in academia, high-school teaching, law, business, government, publishing, librarianship, and other fields that value those who have gained command of a broad and diverse body of knowledge, have been challenged to engage with great ideas, have read widely, and have honed their skills in critical thinking, argumentation, research, and writing.

Goals for Student Learning

Students graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Classics (Greek and Latin) will:

demonstrate proficiency, by means of quizzes, tests, examinations, essays, papers, and other exercises and assignments, in the disciplinary content taught and studied in all core

courses;

2. read and write both ancient languages competently;

3. translate Greek and Latin prose and poetic texts accurately and efficiently;

4. read and evaluate ancient texts and associated scholarly studies, and write intelligent,

clear, and carefully synthesized accounts of their research;

5. understand ancient Greek and Roman societies within an interdisciplinary framework that

cuts across traditional disciplinary boundaries; and

6. demonstrate a working knowledge of the fundamental tools of classical scholarship, both

traditional and electronic.

Student Assessment Outcome Measures

1.The department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies closely monitors majors’ academic performance from their freshman through senior years by (a) being in regular contact with both the majors and their teachers; (b) offering advice about appropriate course selection, study abroad, choice of minors, and post-baccalaureate careers and options; and (c) ensuring that majors meet all the requirements and expectations of the program. These regular conversations with majors provide opportunities to review grades in courses and to identify problems and challenges associated with students’ academic backgrounds, their approaches to studying and learning, and their steady progress through their coursework. When necessary, discussions with their individual instructors follow the meetings with majors. These discussions seek to address and remedy weaknesses in a major’s academic performance, and may suggest reasons why it would be advisable for a student to change majors within, or to withdraw from, the department.

2.All majors must complete the Senior Assessment, which consists of completion of CLASSICS 425 (Senior Tutorial; one credit-hour) in the fall semester of the senior year and CLASSICS 426 (Senior Project; two credit-hours) in the subsequent spring semester.

In CLASSICS 425, each major works under the close supervision of a faculty member to identify a viable project topic, become familiar with the resources available for research in the field, and prepare a bibliography and 10-page draft/outline of the project.

In CLASSICS 426, again under the close supervision of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, the major completes the required project, typically a thesis of about 25-30 pages in length.

These two courses together provide an opportunity for majors to show what they have learned in their courses and to demonstrate their ability to read critically and to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, interpret, and assemble the results of their research with clarity and imagination. Majors must complete the senior project with a grade of “C-“ or better; those who do not must retake CLASSICS 425-426 the following summer or academic year.A grade of “A” is awarded for excellent work that clearly and persuasively advances an argument original to its author or seeks to expand on published interpretations, reveals familiarity with all the conventions of essay composition and standard academic prose, and displays a deep knowledge of the material. All projects are evaluated by the supervising faculty member and the Chair, who together decide upon the grade to be awarded. All approved projects are bound, become part of the department’s own library, and are also accessible (to faculty only) on-line at the departmental website.

The department’s annually updated Undergraduate Handbook, a copy of which is given to each incoming freshman, provides (a) advice about choosing a senior project adviser and topic; (b) detailed senior project guidelines and expectations; and (c) a sample senior project title page. This handbook also includes full descriptions of all the department’s undergraduate programs as well as much other useful information, e.g., about study-abroad opportunities and preparing for graduate studies, and is available on-line at the department’s website.

Use of Results to Improve Student Learning

1.All the department’s courses are formally and anonymously evaluated twice each semester, by means of one instrument required by the School of Arts and Sciences and a second designed by the department and specific to its programs. Course instructors and the department chair then review the results to identify any instructional weaknesses. The supervisor of the department’s teaching assistants also reviews all evaluations of courses taught by those instructors and meets regularly with them to discuss pedagogical problems and suggest remedies. In addition to asking students to evaluate their teachers in 16 areas associated with classroom performance, the department’s evaluation form invites recommendations for specific changes and improvements.

2.As part of the department’s ongoing assessment of the quality of its undergraduate programs and the learning experience of its students, at the end of the spring semester the Chair conducts senior exit interviews with all graduating majors to identify areas of concern and ways in which the department may better meet the needs of its students and the educational goals of its programs. The Chair shares this information with faculty either privately or in formal group discussions about the design of individual courses, the content of the department’s programs, the expansion or reduction of course offerings, the structure of the assessment process, and other related issues.

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Bachelor of Arts in Classical Humanities

Program Description

The educational goals of CUA’s humanities-based, interdisciplinary major in Classical Humanities are comparable to those of the program in Classics (above), except that it allows students to concentratein only one ancient language.

For students who choose to focus on Greek, the core requirement begins with the intermediate level of that language (GR 103-104), followed by an accelerated review of grammar and syntax within the context of the composition of Greek prose (GR 511) and by courses in representative Greek authors that engage in detailed interpretation through close reading, linguistic analysis, and formal translation. The core requirements in Classical Humanities include pairs of courses in ancient history (CLASSICS 205-206) and art history (CLASSICS 317-318), a fifth course in mythology (CLASSICS 211) that studies how the myths of the Greeks and Romans convey important ideas about the divine and the human and the interaction of the two, and a sixth (CLASSICS 313) that offers in translation a survey of representative Latin writings. An advanced seminar (GR 465) provides a survey of Greek literature that integrates the study of individual authors and texts. All of the major’s core courses promote an understanding of Greek civilization within the ancient Mediterranean world and encourage the contemplation of the seminal influence of Greco-Roman culture on Western intellectual and artistic traditions.

For students who choose to focus on Latin, the core requirement begins with the intermediate level of that language (LAT 103-104), followed by an accelerated review of grammar and syntax within the context of the composition of Latin prose (LAT 511) and by courses in representative Latin authors that engage in detailed interpretation through close reading, linguistic analysis, and formal translation. The core requirements in Classical Humanities include pairs of courses in ancient history (CLASSICS 205-206) and art history (CLASSICS 317-318), a fifth course in mythology (CLASSICS 211) that studies how the myths of the Greeks and Romans convey important ideas about the divine and the human and the interaction of the two, and a sixth (CLASSICS 312) that offers in translation a survey of representative Greek writings that provide some of the context for Roman literary developments. An advanced seminar (LAT 465) provides a survey of Latin literature that integrates the study of individual authors and texts. All of the major’s core courses promote an understanding of Latin civilization within the ancient Mediterranean world and encourage the contemplation of the seminal influence of Greco-Roman culture on Western intellectual and artistic traditions.

In both the Greek and Latin versions of this major there is a strong emphasis on the skills and mental habits typically fostered by the study of the humanities: the ability to read critically and to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, interpret, speculate, and write with a sensitivity to the rhetorical powers of language. As in the Classics program, there are opportunities for trips to, and internships in, local galleries containing important classical collections. The department also encourages participation in CUA’s or other programs of study abroad in Rome, Athens, or elsewhere and in archaeological research during the summer in the classical lands of the Mediterranean.

The department considers this major to be an excellent preparation for post-baccalaureate studies and the world of work in general. Its majors typically proceed to graduate or professional studies and to careers in academia, high-school teaching, law, business, government, and other fields that value those who have gained command of a broad and diverse body of knowledge, have been challenged to engage with great ideas, have read widely, and have honed their skills in critical thinking, argumentation, research, and writing.

Goalsfor Student Learning

Students who graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Classical Humanities will, depending on the ancient language chosen:

demonstrate proficiency, by means of quizzes, tests, examinations, essays, papers, and other exercises and assignments, in the disciplinary content taught and studied in all core courses;

2. read and write Greek (Latin) competently;

3. translate Greek (Latin) prose and poetic texts accurately and efficiently;

4. read and evaluate Greek (Latin) texts and associated scholarly studies, and write intelligent, clear and carefully synthesized accounts of their research;

5. understand ancient Greek and Roman society within an interdisciplinary framework that cuts acrosstraditional disciplinary boundaries, and

6. demonstrate a working knowledge of the fundamental tools of classical scholarship, both

traditional and electronic.

Student Assessment Outcome Measures

1.The department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies closely monitors majors’ academic performance from freshman through senior years by (a) being in regular contact with both the majors and their teachers; (b) offering advice about appropriate course selection, study abroad, choice of minors, and post-baccalaureate careers and options; and (c) ensuring that majors meet all the requirements and expectations of the program. These regular conversations with majors provide opportunities to review grades in courses and to identify problems and challenges associated with students’ academic backgrounds, their approaches to studying and learning, and their steady progress through their coursework. When necessary, discussions with their individual instructors follow the meetings with majors. These discussions seek to address and remedy weaknesses in a major’s academic performance, and may suggest reasons why it would be advisable for a student to change majors within, or to withdraw from, the department.

In CLASSICS 426, again under the close supervision of the faculty adviser, the major completes the required project, typically a thesis of about 25-30 pages in length.