Chair: Thomas M. Banchich, PhD
Introduction
Please see the website for a more detailed description of the program, faculty, facilities, academic and co-curricular opportunities.
Goals
Qualifications
Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Classics. All students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate.
Advisement
All students should have a Classics Department advisor and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.
Curricular Requirements for the Major
Core: All students complete Core Curriculum requirements as part of their overall Canisius education. These requirements can be found at www.canisius.edu/core_curriculum/default.asp
Free Electives
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.
Classics Major:
Greek Language and Hellenic Studies Track/CLSG
| Course | |||
| CLS 103 Greek History OR | 3 credits | ||
| CLS 104 Roman History | 3 credits | ||
| CLS 205 Mirror of the Past: Greece OR | 3 credits | ||
| CLS 206 Mirror of the Past: Rome | 3 credits | ||
| Classical Greek/CLG (at least 6 credits at the 300 level or above) | 18 credits | ||
| Total | 36 credits | ||
| Classics Major: Latin Language and Roman Studies Track/CLSL | |||
| CLS 103 Greek History OR | 3 credits | ||
| CLS 104 Roman History | 3 credits | ||
| CLS 205 Mirror of the Past: Greece OR | 3 credits | ||
| CLS 206 Mirror of the Past: Rome | 3 credits | ||
| Latin/CLL (at least 6 credits at the 300 level or above) | |||
| Both CLSG and CLSL tracks: | |||
| 6-9 credits selected from Classics Department electives | |||
| 3-6 credits selected from Interdepartmental Department electives | |||
| Total Credits | 36 credits | ||
Major Electives:
Classics Department electives:
Any CLG or CLL classes not used to satisfy language requirements:
| Course | Credits | |
| CLG 101 Elementary Greek | 3 | |
| CLG 102 Elementary Greek | 3 | |
| CLG 201-218 | 3 | |
| CLG 301-318 | 3 | |
| CLL 101 Elementary Latin | 3 | |
| CLL 102 Elementary Latin | 3 | |
| CLL 201-218 | 3 | |
| CLL 301-318 | 3 | |
| (6 CLL credits strongly recommended for students on CLS-Greek track) | ||
| (6 CLg credits strongly recommended for students on CLS-Latin track) | ||
| CLS 200 The 300: Myth and Reality | 3 | |
| CLS 207 Mythology and Literature | 3 | |
| CLS 208 Epic Heros | 3 | |
| CLS 214 Greek and Roman Tragedy | 3 | |
| CLS 215 Greek and Roman Comedy | 3 | |
| CLS 300 Roman Law and Society | 3 | |
| CLS 301 The Age of Cicero | 3 | |
| CLS 308 Pagans and Christians | 3 | |
| CLS 309 Greek and Roman Religion | 3 | |
| CLS 311 Alexander the Great | 3 | |
| CLS 312 The Greek Englightenment | 3 | |
Interdepartmental electives:
| Course | Credits | |
| FAH 101 Introduction to Art History | 3 | |
| FAH 210 Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art | 3 | |
| FAH 213 Greek and Roman Art | 3 | |
| HIS 106 The Medieval World | 3 | |
| HON 110 Western Tradition I | 3 | |
| PHI 301 Ancient Philosophy | 3 | |
| PHI 401 Seminar in Ancient Philosophy | 3 | |
| PSC 110 Western Political Tradition I | 3 | |
| RST 250 Biblical Greek | 3 | |
| RST 251 Greek Exgesis | 3 | |
| RST 321 New Testament Society | 3 | |
| RST 323 Bibilical Archaeology | 3 | |
| RST 325 Early Christianity | 3 | |
Major Experiences
Classics majors and minors are encouraged to become members of the Canisius Classics Club. The department also offers the opportunity for Classics majors and minors to become members of Eta Sigma Phi, the national Classics Honor Society. Majors and minors should consider participating in Canisius’ Study Abroad programs, especially those in Rome and Florence.
Additional Course Considerations
Classics majors who are interested in pursuing graduate work in Classics are encouraged to enroll in German and French language courses.
Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Course Requirements
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| Freshman | CLSG: CLG 101 (3 credits) | CLSG: CLG 102 (3 credits) |
| CLSL: CLL 101 (3 credits) | CLSL: CLL 102 (3 credits) | |
| CLS 103 (3 credits) or CLS 205 (3 credits) | Major elective | |
| Sophomore | CLSG: CLG 200 or 300-level, CLL 101 (3 credits) | CLSG: CLG 200-level |
| CLSL: CLL 200-level | CLSL: CLL 200-level | |
| CLS 207 (3 credits) or other major elective | CLS 207 (3 credits) or other major elective | |
| Junior | CLSG: CLG 200 or 300-level, CLG 101 (3 credits) | CLSG: CLG 300-level, CLL 102 (3 credits) |
| CLSL: CLL 200 or 300-level, CLG 101 (3 credits) | CLSL: CLL 300-level, CLG 102 (3 credits) | |
| Major elective | Major elective | |
| Senior | CLSG: CLG 300-level | CLSG: CLG 400 (3 credits) |
| CLSL: CLL 300-level | CLSL: CLL 400 (3 credits) | |
| Major elective | Major elective |
Dual Majors:
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a dual major. The decision may be based on career goals or planned graduate studies. Before a student declares a dual major it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. Some dual major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional course work may be required. In order to declare a dual major, the student must complete the appropriate dual major request form and get the signature of each department chairperson and the appropriate associate dean.
Minors:
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a minor in addition to their major. The decision may be based on career goals or planned graduate studies. Minors generally range from six to eight required courses. A listing of the minors can be found under the Academic Curricula section of the catalog. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional course work may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.
Classics Minors :
Students who wish to minor in Classics must meet the following requirements:
Classical language: two semesters of Latin or Greek (CLL OR CLG) 6 credits
CLS 103 or CLS 104 3 credits
CLS 205 or CLS 206 3 credits
Classics electives: two upper-level (select from any CLG, CLL or
CLS courses at the 200-level or above; FAH 210 and 213)
6 credits
Total (6 courses) 18 credits
Classics Courses: 2011-2013
CLS 103 Greek History (Accepted for HIS credit) 3 credits
Social, political, and intellectual history of the Greeks from the end of the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 4) Fall
CLS 104 Roman History (Accepted for HIS credit) 3 credits
Social, political, and intellectual history of Rome from the foundation of the city to late antiquity. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 4) Spring
CLS 200 The 300: Myth and Reality (Accepted for HIS credit) 3 credits
The 300 Spartans’ defense of Thermopylae and its subsequent portrayal in literature, art, and film from antiquity to the present. Summers only
CLS 205 Mirror of the Past: Greece 3 credits
Fundamental social, political, moral, religious, and intellectual aspects of the human condition as reflected in a variety of Greek writers. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 3) Fall
CLS 206 Mirror of the Past: Rome 3 credits
Fundamental social, political, moral, religious, and intellectual aspects of the human condition as reflected in a variety of Roman writers. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 3) Spring
CLS 207 Mythology and Literature 3 credits
Origin, content, and interpretation of the major classical myths. Modern approaches to mythology. Influence upon literature. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 3) Fall/Spring
CLS 208 Epic Heroes 3 credits
Portrayal of heroes in Gilgamesh, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Apollonius’ Argonautica, and Virgil’s Aeneid. Influence of ancient epic heroes on literature, art, and film from antiquity to the present. (Field 3) Fall 2011
FAH 210 Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art (Accepted for CLS credit) 3 credits
Introduction to the formal and cultural analysis and interpretation of the painting, sculpture, and architecture of ancient Egypt and the Near East. (Field 3) Spring 2012
FAH 213 Greek and Roman Art (Accepted for CLS credit) 3 credits
A look at the temples, tombs, pottery, painting, and sculpture of the Greek and Roman worlds, at what these objects meant to their creators, and at how they have influenced the things we see around us and our feelings about beauty and art. (Field 3) Spring 2013
CLS 214 Greek and Roman Tragedy (Accepted for WST credit) 3 credits
Study of Greek and Roman tragedy, its origins, cultural setting, staging, performance, and influence. Readings from Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Seneca. (Field 3) Fall 2012
CLS 215 Greek and Roman Comedy 3 credits
Study of Greek and Roman comedy, its origins, cultural settings, staging, performance, and influence. Readings from Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, and Terence. (Field 3) Spring 2013
CLS 300 Roman Law and Society (Accepted for HIS & WST credit) 3 credits
Exploration of major concepts and principles of Roman law and the society in which they developed. Studies of cases from the writings of Roman jurists. (Justice and Oral Communication Attributes, Field 5) Fall 2011
CLS 301 The Age of Cicero (Accepted for HIS credit) 3 credits
An introduction to Roman literature and society in the first century B.C. with a focus on the development of the genres of Latin literature and the relationship between politics and literature. (Writing Intensive Attribute, Field 3) Spring 2012
CLS 308 Pagans and Christians (Accepted for HIS & RST credit) 3 credits
Religious thought and action from the 3rd through 8th centuries A.D. The idea of the holy; manifestations of the sacred; body, soul, and cosmos; Christianity and classical culture; Neoplatonism. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 1) Spring 2012
CLS 309 Greek and Roman Religion (Accepted for RST credit) 3 credits
Religious thought and action in ancient Greece and Rome from Homer through the 2nd century A.D. Polytheism, anthropomorphism, ritual, cult and sacrifice. (Global Awareness Attribute, Field 1) Fall 2012
CLS 311 Alexander the Great (Accepted for HIS credit) 3 credits
Philip II and the rise of Macedon. Alexander’s personality, his conquests, and the social, political, and intellectual consequences of his reign. Hellenistic culture. (Global Awareness Attribute) Fall 2012
CLS 312 The Greek Enlightenment (Accepted for HIS credit) 3 credits
Greek thought from Homer to Plato. Lyric poets, Hippocratic texts, Presocratics and Sophists, Athenian tragedy, Thucydides, Aristophanes, and Plato. Impact of literacy on Greek thought. Greek philosophy in its social and historical context. (Field 2) Spring 2013
Greek Language Courses (CLG)
CLG 101 Elementary Greek 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of classical
Greek. Selected readings. Fall
CLG 102 Elementary Greek 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of classical Greek. Selected readings. Prerequisite: CLG 101 or instructor’s permission. Spring
CLG 201-206 Greek Literature 3 credits each
Selected Greek literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Fall/Spring
CLG 207-212 Greek Historians 3 credits each
Selected Greek historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Fall/Spring
CLG 213-218 Greek Philosophers 3 credits each
Selected Greek philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Fall/Spring
CLG 301-306 Readings in Greek Literature 3 credits each
Selected Greek literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Fall/Spring
CLG 307-312 Readings in Greek History 3 credits each
Selected Greek historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Fall/Spring
CLG 313-318 Readings in Greek Philosophy 3 credits each
Selected Greek philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Fall/Spring
GLG 400 Paideia 3 credits
Selected Greek authors, texts, themes, or genres. (Core Capstone) Prerequisites: at least three semesters of ancient Greek, completion of core requirements, and chair’s permission. Fall/Spring
Latin Language Courses (CLL)
CLL 101 Elementary Latin 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of classical Latin. Selected readings. Fall
CLL 102 Elementary Latin 3 credits
Intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of classical Latin. Selected readings. Prerequisite: CLL 101 or instructor’s permission. Spring
CLL 201-206 Latin Literature 3 credits each
Selected Latin literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Fall/Spring
CLL 207-212 Roman Historians 3 credits each
Selected Roman historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Fall/Spring
CLL 213-218 Roman Philosophers 3 credits each
Selected Roman philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Fall/Spring
CLL 301-306 Readings in Latin Literature 3 credits each
Selected Latin literary authors, genres, or themes. (Field 3) Fall/Spring
CLL 307-312 Readings in Roman History 3 credits each
Selected Roman historical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 4) Fall/Spring
CLL 313-318 Readings in Roman Philosophy 3 credits each
Selected Roman philosophical authors, genres, or themes. (Field 2) Fall/Spring
CLL 400 Humanitas 3 credits
Selected Latin authors, texts, themes, or genres. (Core Capstone) Prerequisites: at least three semesters of Latin, completion of core requirements, and chair’s permission. Fall/Spring