Classics is the study of the literature, languages, cultures and societies of ancient Greece and Rome. It is one of the oldest of the liberal arts disciplines.
The popularity of movies like 300, Gladiator, and Troy, have renewed students' interest in mythology and the study of classics.
Whether you choose to major in Classics or just take a few classes of interest, students in this field are exposed to the history, literature, art and architecture, archaeology, language, and religion of ancient times. Many classes are in English but some offer the subject matter in its original format of Greek or Latin. Many pre-med majors also find that an introduction to Latin vocabulary serves as an exceptional preparation for medical school where much of the terminology originated from Latin.
What can you do with a Classics major? Classics is an original liberal arts field and is designed to prepare students for any type of profession that emphasizes critical analysis, reading of dense texts, and oral and written communication. Law school is a popular destination after college, though certainly not the only option. A student's career choices after college will be guided by how they applied their coursework to real world applications during college. A student who volunteered and interned in museums and galleries may find work in that industry. A student who obtained work experience during college in library reference may pursue that line of work after graduation. The possibilities are numerous, and all students are encouraged to gain practical experience that complements the major.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 90 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 90 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
University General Education Requirements (GER)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Part A | ||
| Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course: | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (or equivalent) | |
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Part A | ||
| Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) | ||
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II | ||
| Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | ||
or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| College Algebra | ||
Or equivalent course | ||
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab) | 6 | |
| UWM Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete Foreign Language Requirement through: | ||
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language | ||
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language | ||
Or equivalent | ||
| UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement | ||
- 1
Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
I. English Composition Requirement
Students must satisfy the English Composition Requirement with one of the following options:
1) Completing ENGLISH 102 with a grade of C or higher; or
2) by placing beyond ENGLISH 102 on the English Placement Test (EPT) (or other assessment as determined by the English Department); or
3) transferring a course of at least 2.5 equivalent credits from another institution that is equivalent to English 102, or a UWM higher-level expository writing course, with a grade of C or higher.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part A. The College of Letters & Science does not have a specific requirement for a writing course beyond English 102, but students must complete the university-wide requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part B listed above.
II. Mathematics and Formal Reasoning
To satisfy the Mathematics and Formal Reasoning Requirement, students must satisfy the following two requirements:
1. Achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) or earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 102 | Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | 3 |
| MATH 103 | Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 108 | Algebraic Literacy II | 3 |
| MATH 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | 3 |
| or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 175 | Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
- 1
Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part A, listed above.
2. Complete one course (at least 3 credits) at the 200 level or above chosen from courses in Mathematics, PHILOS 211, or Letters and Science statistics courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
3 or more credits in any 200-level or above Math course | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies | ||
| Introduction to Anthropological Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Geography | ||
| The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Elementary Logic | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Survey Research | ||
| Psychological Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | ||
Note: This requirement is NOT the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part B. To complete the BA, students must take one of the L&S approved courses. Not all of the courses listed here will satisfy the QL-B requirement.
III. Foreign Language Requirement
Placement testing may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work.
Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Foreign Language GER, but not vice versa.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 0-18 | |
Successful completion of the 4th semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
Successful completion of the 3rd semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) PLUS the 2nd semester of college work or equivalent in another language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
IV. International Requirement
See Approved Courses for the L&S International Requirement for course options.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 9 | |
Complete 3 courses (min. 9 cr) in a single foreign language (not including literature-in-translation or American Sign Language) at the 3rd semester level and above | ||
Complete 3 non-language courses (min. 9 credits) with an international content chosen from at least 2 curricular areas. | ||
Complete 9 credits in combination of the two options above. | ||
V. Breadth Requirement
Along with completing the University General Education Requirements of 3 credits in the Arts (A); 6 credits in the Humanities (HU), Social Sciences (SS), and Natural Sciences (NS/NS+); and a course with the Cultural Diversity (CD/+) designation, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S courses with Humanities Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single subject area. * | 12 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Social Science Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Natural Sciences Breadth designation, including at least one laboratory or field course; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Cultural Diversity | ||
| Complete 3 credits in a course with Cultural Diversity (CD) designation. ** | 3 | |
- *
Students should check their course selections carefully with the list of approved L&S Breadth Courses. Students are advised to select at least 6 credits worth of courses in each of the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences areas that can satisfy both the campus-wide General Education Requirements and the L&S Breadth requirement.
- **
Students are advised to select a course that satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement as well as a Humanities or Social Science breadth/GER requirement.
VI. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VII. The Minor
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Major Requirements
There are three major concentrations:
- Classical Civilization
- Ancient Greek Language and Literature
- Classical Latin Language and Literature
Students who major in a Classics Program concentration must complete at least 15 credits of the major in 300 level or above courses in residence at UWM. All students must complete a research experience in their major. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM, including any transfer work.
Classical Civilization Major Concentration
This concentration is intended for students who wish to study classical literature and culture without a focus on the original languages. Courses in ancient Greek and Latin are optional and may count toward fulfilling major requirements. A total of 15 credits of all courses in the major must be at the 300 level or above taken in residence at UWM.
Students must complete the L&S research requirement in the context of a Classic, Greek, or Latin course of their choosing at the 300 level or above, under the supervision of the instructor of that course. The student should inform the instructor of their intention to use the course for the L&S research requirement at the start of the course.
Completion of the major requires a minimum of 30 credits distributed as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Choose one from the following 100 level courses: | 3-4 | |
| Words Matter: How Greek and Latin Shape Our Language | ||
| Classical Mythology | ||
| First Semester Greek | ||
| First Semester Latin | ||
| Choose two from the following 200 level courses: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Greek Life and Literature | ||
| Introduction to Roman Life and Literature | ||
| Alexander the Great to Augustus | ||
| Ancient Egyptian Civilization | ||
| Select 9 additional credits in Classic, Greek, or Latin courses at the 300 level or above. Examples include the following: | 9 | |
| The Life and Literature of Classical Athens: Herodotus and Dramatists | ||
| War and Politics in Ancient Greece | ||
| The Life and Literature of the Roman Empire | ||
| The Graeco-Roman World: | ||
| Ancient Epic Oral Traditions | ||
| Ancient Greek Religion | ||
| Hittite Myth and History | ||
| Egyptian Mythology | ||
| Readings in Ancient Greek Literature: | ||
| Readings in Classical Greek Prose: | ||
| Readings in Ancient Greek Poetry: | ||
| Readings in Latin Literature: | ||
| Readings in Latin Prose: | ||
| Readings in Latin Poetry: | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select at least 12 credits (see below) | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30-31 | |
Electives
For the remaining 12 credits, students may choose from among any Classic, Greek, or Latin courses or approved courses in related disciplines. Of these elective 12 credits, up to 9 credits can be taken in approved courses from the list below and at least 6 credits must be in courses at the 300 level or above.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Approved courses in related disciplines | ||
| ANTHRO 305 | The Celtic World | 3 |
| ANTHRO 306 | European Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTHIST 312 | Minoan and Mycenaean Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTHIST 313 | Greek Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTHIST 314 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East | 3 |
| ARTHIST 315 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTHIST 316 | Roman Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTHIST 412 | Cities and Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| ARTHIST 413 | Greek Sculpture | 3 |
| HIST 201 | The Ancient World: The Near East and Greece | 3 |
| CLASSIC/HIST 274 | Ancient Egyptian Civilization | 3 |
| HIST 202 | The Ancient World: The Roman Republic and Empire | 3 |
| HIST 303 | A History of Greek Civilization: The Greek City-State | 3 |
| HIST 304 | A History of Greek Civilization: The Age of Alexander the Great | 3 |
| HIST 307 | A History of Rome: The Republic | 3 |
| HIST 308 | A History of Rome: The Empire | 3 |
| HIST 370 | Topics in the History of Religious Thought: (Paganism in the Ancient World) | 3 |
| HIST 371 | Topics in European History: (Rome in the Age of Constantine – Society and Culture) | 3 |
| HIST 398 | Honors Seminar: (Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire or Medicine and Healing in Ancient Greece and Rome) | 3 |
| PHILOS 430 | Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period | 3 |
| PHILOS 551 | Aristotle | 3 |
Ancient Greek Language and Literature Major Concentration
The Ancient Greek Language and Literature major concentration requires the completion of 33 credits, including the following. A total of 15 credits of all courses in the major must be at the 300 level or above taken in residence at UWM.
Students must complete the L&S research requirement in the context of a Classic, Greek, or Latin course of their choosing at the 300 level or above, under the supervision of the instructor of that course. The student should inform the instructor of their intention to use the course for the L&S research requirement at the start of the course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| GREEK 103 | First Semester Greek | 4 |
| GREEK 104 | Second Semester Greek | 4 |
| GREEK 205 | Third Semester Greek (or equivalent) | 4 |
| CLASSIC 201 | Introduction to Greek Life and Literature | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select four additional courses in Greek at the 300 level or above | 12 | |
| Select six additional credits chosen from Greek, Latin, and/or Classic courses | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Classical Latin Language and Literature Major Concentration
The Classical Latin Language and Literature concentration requires the completion of 33 credits, including the following. A total of 15 credits of all courses in the major must be at the 300 level or above taken in residence at UWM.
Students must complete the L&S research requirement in the context of a Classic, Greek, or Latin course of their choosing at the 300 level or above, under the supervision of the instructor of that course. The student should inform the instructor of their intention to use the course for the L&S research requirement at the start of the course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| LATIN 103 | First Semester Latin | 4 |
| LATIN 104 | Second Semester Latin | 4 |
| LATIN 205 | Third Semester Latin (or equivalent) | 4 |
| CLASSIC 202 | Introduction to Roman Life and Literature | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select four additional courses in Latin courses at the 300 level or above | 12 | |
| Select six additional credits chosen from Latin, Greek, and/or Classic courses | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors, and success coaches. Letters and Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional College Advisors and Faculty Advisors. L&S College Advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental Faculty Advisors focus on the major.
College Advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College Advisors will:
- assist you in defining your academic and life goals;
- help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals;
- assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures;
- provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate; and
- monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty Advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a Faculty Advisor when you declare your major. Faculty Advisors are an important partner and will:
- help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department;
- explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences; and
- serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their College Advisor and Faculty Advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
The Undergraduate Faculty Advisor for Classics is Associate Professor Elisabetta Cova, covae@uwm.edu.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.