Classics and Archaeology
Faculty
Chairperson: Katerina Zacharia
Professors: Matthew Dillon, William J. Fulco, S.J. (National Endowment for the Humanities Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Studies), Robert B. Lawton, S.J.
Associate Professor: Katerina Zacharia
Assistant Professor: Ethan Adams
Objectives
The Department of Classics and Archaeology seeks to provide the student with a deeper understanding of the literary and cultural foundations of western societies by exploring their roots in the Greek and Roman classical traditions. Our archaeological offerings extend these investigations of early European cultures into their Near Eastern background and include the hands-on study of ancient artifacts. The combined study of the languages, literature, religion, and material cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East offers the student a wide-ranging and wellrounded preparation in critical thinking, analytic skills, and writing and prepares the student to contextualize the immense achievements of the past in the modern world. Because of the broad humanistic nature of the programs in Classics and Archaeology, there emerge fundamental questions about what it means to be a human being, and thus the courses in the department offer many interdisciplinary connections with philosophy, theological studies, history, theater, and other academic fields.
Classics and Archaeology Student Learning Outcomes
As a Classics major, the student will:
- Master the grammar and syntax of Classical Greek and Latin, and be able to read ancient literary works at an advanced level
- Be able to critically analyze Greek and Roman literature and to place them in social and historical contexts both ancient and modern
- Develop writing, research, and communication skills, which are articulate, thoughtful, and effective.
As a Classical Civilizations major, the student will:
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge about ancient Mediterranean cultures, including areas such as history, literature (in the original or in translation), language (optional, but recommended), art, and archaeology
- Be able to critically analyze the cultures of Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East and to place them in social and historical contexts both ancient and modern
- Develop writing, research, and communication skills, which are articulate, thoughtful, and effective.
As a Greek major, the student will:
- Master the grammar and syntax of ancient Greek, and be able to read ancient literary works at an advanced level
- Be able to critically analyze Greek literature and to place it in social and historical contexts both ancient and modern
- Develop writing, research, and communication skills, which are articulate, thoughtful, and effective.
As a Latin major, the student will:
- Master the grammar and syntax of classical Latin, and be able to read ancient literary works at an advanced level
- Be able to critically analyze Latin literature and to place it in social and historical contexts both ancient and modern
- Develop writing, research, and communication skills, which are articulate, thoughtful, and effective.
Major Programs
The Department of Classics and Archaeology offers a variety of majors: Classics, Greek, Latin, and Classical Civilizations. The Classics major offers a traditional training in both Greek and Latin language and literature (in the original), although students may opt to major exclusively in Greek or Latin. The Classical Civilizations major allows the student to study the cultures of Greece, Rome, and the Near East from various cultural perspectives in conjunction with other departments; in this major, language study is encouraged but not required.
At entry to the University, students declare the major/minor through the Office of Admission. LMU students wishing to declare the major/ minor must meet with the chair/program director. The chair/director would ordinarily sign the student’s Change of Program form, provided the student meets certain academic standards that include having a minimum LMU GPA of 2.0 (C) and not otherwise being on academic probation.
For additional information view the department website.