"Classics" is a traditional designation for the study of the literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Classical studies at UC Santa Cruz combines features of traditional programs, such as solid grounding in the ancient languages, with innovative, interdisciplinary approaches (literary theory, gender studies, performance, and film.) The basic requirements for the classical studies major allow a variety of emphases and concentrations.

Classical studies is an interdisciplinary field. While the core of the major is focused on courses in the ancient Greek and Latin languages, the major also includes courses in history, history of art and visual culture, linguistics, literature, philosophy, politics, religious studies, and theater arts. Students are encouraged to study the literary and material artifacts of Greece and Rome within the larger context of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures.

The classical studies program is administered by the History Department. For additional information on curriculum and advising, go to history.ucsc.edu.

Study and Research Opportunities

• B.A., Undergraduate Minor
• Opportunities for study abroad through the UC Education Abroad Program
  

Classical_Studies09.pdf

High School Preparation
High school students planning to major in classical studies at UC Santa Cruz do not need any specific preparation other than the high school courses required for UC admission. Previous study of Latin or Greek is valuable, but not required. Students whose high schools do not offer Latin or Greek will be able to learn those languages at UC Santa Cruz, where the classics program is of high quality.

Transfer Preparation
Transfer students are advised to complete their campus's general education requirements before coming to UC Santa Cruz. Some background in history and in literary analysis and interpretation is desirable, but not essential. Since this is an interdisciplinary major, preparatory work in art history, history, literature, philosophy, or politics, depending on the student's interests, may also be useful.

While it is not a condition of admission, students from California community colleges may complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) in preparation for transfer to UC Santa Cruz.

Transfer course agreements and articulation between the University of California and California community colleges can be accessed on the ASSIST web site.

Requirements for the Major
A prerequisite for the classical studies major is the lower-division sequence in elementary Greek or Latin language (Greek 1 and 2 or Latin 1 and 2). The major requires a total of 10 courses plus a senior comprehensive exam and must include the following:

• One lower-division survey of ancient history or literature in translation
• Three upper-division courses in Greek or Latin literature
• Six additional approved upper-division courses (which may include additional courses in Greek or Latin literature)
•  One two-credit course, History 199F, to be taken in the same quarter in which the student completes the senior comprehensive exam. The preparatory course will be taken with the chair of the student's examination committee.

Careers

Business
Communications
Computer services
Education
Foreign service
Government
Journalism
Law
Library science
Museum curatorship
Politics
Publishing
Theater
Writing

These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.

Requirements for the Minor
A minor in classical studies requires the lower-division sequence in elementary Greek or Latin language (Greek 1 and 2 or Latin 1 and 2) and Greek or Latin 100 plus any four of the upper-division courses listed as satisfying the classical studies major requirements.

Education Abroad Program (EAP)
Classical studies majors interested in the Education Abroad Program (EAP) should meet with the history undergraduate adviser early in their academic career. Advising appointments should also be made with your college academic preceptor and an EAP adviser. Careful planning will maximize the time available at UC Santa Cruz and minimize the possibility of extra quarters beyond the projected graduation date.

UC EAP offers students an opportunity to study abroad in 34 countries. A variety of academic programs is available: language and culture programs facilitate language acquisition; "focus" programs allow students to concentrate on a plan of study applicable to their major. Programs often offer instruction in English, and there are traditional semester and year-long program options.