The Bachelor of Arts with a major in classical languages requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 30 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

The major trains students to read the ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and acquaints them with the major works of Greek and/or Roman literature. Classical languages students learn about the history of ancient Greece of the eighth through the fourth centuries B.C.E., where most of the modern Western notions of political, artistic, and social life are rooted. They also develop an understanding of the Roman Republic and Empire (3 B.C.E. through 5 C.E.), when Rome established its hegemony over the Mediterranean basin, laid the foundation of law for the Western World, and spread Greece's culture to the West, and of the fall of the Empire and the rise of Medieval civilization from the sixth through the ninth centuries C.E.

The Latin Advanced Placement (AP) exam with a score of 4 or higher may be used to complete the General Education Program: World Languages component, or used as elective hours. Students with previous knowledge of Greek or Latin language, should take the World Languages Placement Test (WLPT) to determine the best level for your first enrollment in a language course.

In addition to completing required coursework, students maintain a required portfolio detailing their progress toward the major, which they must complete before graduation; see "Major Portfolio" below.

Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Bachelor of Arts in classical languages, visit the UI General Catalog.

Major Portfolio

To comply with the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, policy on student outcomes assessment, the Department of Classics has established a method to assess the achievement level of students completing one of the department's majors. Students must maintain a portfolio that details their progress in attaining the objectives of their major. Students must register for and complete the following course: CLSA:3982 - Graduation Portfolio.

Students submit the portfolio to the Director of Undergraduate Studies of Classics near the end of the semester in which they intend to graduate. This portfolio must consist of a 2-page (double-spaced) translation into English of a passage of Greek or Latin prose or poetry (either a Lowden Prize passage or a passage from an exam in an advanced-language class [3000-level]), as well as a 1-page (double-spaced) translation of a passage of English into either Latin or Greek (recasting a modern English text into the style and idiom of an ancient one, i.e. an assignment from the Latin composition or Greek composition course) and a short paper in English on some aspect of the ancient world (between 7-15 pages double-spaced). The paper can be from a past class (3000-level and up) but must adequately display your ability to analyze some aspect of the ancient world in English. Formal approval of the portfolio is required for graduation. Consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies of Classics for details.

Teacher Licensure

Students interested in teaching in elementary and/or secondary schools should seek admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in the College of Education.

To qualify for licensure in secondary teaching, students in the TEP complete a degree in education as well as a related College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. See Teacher Education Program Application and Admission on the College of Education website for details on requirements and deadlines for applying to the College of Education and about TEP choices of majors leading to licensure.