Classics Major Concentration (B.A.) (36 credits)
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Arts and Science
Program credit weight: 36
Program Description
The Major Concentration in Classical Studies is an in-depth study of ancient Greece and Rome. Two Streams are offered. The Classical Languages stream emphasizes ancient Greek and Latin language, requiring advanced coursework in one or both languages. The Classical Studies stream provides a broad foundation in ancient languages and Greek and Roman literature while allowing students greater flexibility to take a variety of courses in translation.
Degree Requirements — B.A. students
To be eligible for a B.A. degree, a student must fulfil all Faculty and program requirements as indicated in Degree Requirements for the Faculty of Arts.
We recommend that students consult an Arts OASIS advisor for degree planning.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (3 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLAS 201 | Greece and Rome. | 3 |
Greece and Rome. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to ancient Greek and Roman civilization, focusing on key themes, problems, and methods of the discipline of classical studies. | ||
Complementary Courses (33 credits)
33 credits from one of the following two streams.
Classical Languages Stream
33 credits of classics (CLAS) or related courses according to the following stipulations:
Minimum 6 credits advanced Ancient Greek and/or Latin.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLAS 410 | Advanced Latin: Authors. | 3 |
Advanced Latin: Authors. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Translation and discussion of selections from ancient Latin literature written by a single author or several authors closely linked by genre or historical period. Emphasis on developing reading proficiency. Texts change from year to year. Course may be taken more than once. | ||
| CLAS 412 | Advanced Latin: Themes. | 3 |
Advanced Latin: Themes. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of a theme or problem in Roman literature, culture or history through the translation and discussion of ancient Latin texts. Emphasis on close reading and analysis of ancient Latin. Texts change from year to year. Course may be taken more than once. | ||
| CLAS 419 | Advanced Latin: Post-Classical. | 3 |
Advanced Latin: Post-Classical. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Translation and examination of Latin text(s) from the Late Antique, Medieval or Renaissance period. | ||
| CLAS 420 | Advanced Ancient Greek: Authors. | 3 |
Advanced Ancient Greek: Authors. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Translation and discussion of selections from ancient Greek literature written by a single author or several authors closely linked by genre or historical period. Emphasis on developing reading proficiency. Texts change from year to year. Course may be taken more than once. | ||
| CLAS 422 | Advanced Ancient Greek: Themes. | 3 |
Advanced Ancient Greek: Themes. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of a theme or problem in ancient Greek literature, culture or history through the translation and discussion of ancient Greek texts. Emphasis on close reading and analysis of ancient Greek. Texts change from year to year. Course may be taken more than once. | ||
| CLAS 429 | Medieval Greek. | 3 |
Medieval Greek. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Readings by Greek authors writing during the Late Imperial through Byzantine periods | ||
NOTE: Maximum 12 credits of complementary courses at the 200 level.
NOTE: 9 credits maximum of non-CLAS courses may be counted toward the program.
Classical Studies Stream
6 credits in the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLAS 301 | Ancient Greek Literature and Society. | 3 |
Ancient Greek Literature and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Survey of ancient Greek literature in translation, covering the key genres and texts in their social and historical contexts. The material to be discussed includes Archaic epic, lyric, and elegy; Classical tragedy, comedy, and historiography; Hellenistic poetry, and literature of the Roman Imperial period. | ||
| CLAS 302 | Roman Literature and Society. | 3 |
Roman Literature and Society. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An exploration of Roman texts written during the Republican and Imperial periods (200 BCE-400 CE) and the study of social contexts in which they were written. | ||
27 credits of classics (CLAS) or related courses according to the following stipulations:
Minimum 6 credits intermediate Ancient Greek and/or Latin.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLAS 310 | Intermediate Latin 1. | 3 |
Intermediate Latin 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of Latin grammar, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary while introducing students to techniques and strategies for reading Latin poetry and prose. | ||
| CLAS 312 | Intermediate Latin 2. | 3 |
Intermediate Latin 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Continued mastery of the language, with emphasis on translation of Latin texts. | ||
| CLAS 315 | Intermediate Latin 2: Selections. | 3 |
Intermediate Latin 2: Selections. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of selected works in Latin. Topic varies by year. | ||
| CLAS 320 | Intermediate Ancient Greek 1. | 3 |
Intermediate Ancient Greek 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of Ancient Greek through translation of selected ancient texts. | ||
| CLAS 322 | Intermediate Ancient Greek 2. | 3 |
Intermediate Ancient Greek 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Continued mastery of the language, with emphasis on translation of ancient Greek texts. | ||
| CLAS 326 | Intermediate Ancient Greek 2: Selections. | 3 |
Intermediate Ancient Greek 2: Selections. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Translation of ancient Greek texts selected from a given topic, theme, genre, or author. Texts and authors change from year to year. | ||
NOTE: Minimum 6 credits 400-level CLAS courses.
NOTE: Maximum 12 credits of complementary courses at the 200 level.
NOTE: 9 credits maximum of non-CLAS courses may be counted toward the program.
Note: For either stream students may count a maximum total of 12 credits of non-CLAS McGill courses and/or classics courses not taken at McGill (transfer credits) toward the program.