Classical and Near Eastern Studies

Classical and Near Eastern Studies

Programs

This department provides instruction in certain languages and literatures that are among the oldest written foundations of our civilization, especially classical Greek, Latin and Arabic. The department offers basic courses in the languages and in translation for the benefit of students in all areas of arts and sciences, and gives its own majors a thorough preparation in language and culture, from which they may advance to further study and application of ancient, Near Eastern and medieval history; history of philosophy and art; comparative literature; and philology. Instruction in the spoken and written languages of the Near East has obvious and immediate application.

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Major Programs in Classical Studies

Three specializations are offered within the Classical Studies program: Classical Civilization; Classics, Greek and Latin; and Latin. A course in which a student receives the grade of P or D shall not count for the major.

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Classical Civilization

This specialization offers a grounding in the classical cultures, but does not require reading knowledge of the original languages.

 

number of courses

 

•

Any courses listed under Classics, Greek or Latin

6 or 7

•

Courses in ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient art

or other courses in classical civilization approved by the

classics undergraduate adviser

4 or 3

TOTAL

10
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Classics, Greek and Latin

This rich and demanding major program prepares students for serious scholarly work in Latin and classical Greek. With departmental approval, a special program may be devised that emphasizes both languages equally, or in which one language predominates. For example:

•

Courses beyond 203 in either classical Greek or Latin

4

•

Courses in the other languages (classical Greek or Latin)

2

•

Courses chosen with departmental approval from other

departmental offerings, or from ancient history, ancient

philosophy, ancient art or medieval studies

4

TOTAL

10
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Latin

This major builds on a foundation of classical Latin for concentration in ancient or medieval Latin literature and culture.

•

At least five Latin courses beyond 203

5

•

Roman history

1

•

Courses approved by the department from department offerings,

or ancient or medieval history, philosophy, art or religion

4

TOTAL

10
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Arabic

The Arabic major requires nine courses in total.

•

Six of these must be in Modern Standard Arabic, including 101,

102, 203, 204, and two additional Modern Standard Arabic

courses at the 300 level

6

•

At least one must be a course dealing with Islam

1

•

The remaining two courses may be any courses offered by the

department (including courses from the Egyptian Spoken Arabic

track) or from other departments as approved by the director of

the Arabic studies program, Professor Lacey

2

TOTAL

9

Note: Students with high school or other preparation in these languages are placed at the appropriate level on the basis of individual consultation with faculty members or, in some cases, by placement tests. In some instances this category of students may not be able to declare a major. There may not be enough upper-level courses for them.

 

Requirements for Minors

 

Minor in Classical Civilization: Six courses (24 credits), of which at least three must be listed under Classics, Greek or Latin, with the remainder to be chosen from ancient history, ancient art or other courses in classical civilization approved by the classics undergraduate adviser. Not more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the minor.

 

Minor in Classical Greek: Six courses (24 credits) in classical Greek, of which at least two courses must be above GRK 204.

Minor in Latin: Six courses (24 credits) in Latin, of which at least two courses must be above LAT 204.

Minor in Arabic: The Arabic minor requires Arabic 101, 102, 203, 204, one 300 level

Modern Standard Arabic course, and one related course either offered or approved by the department. The related course may be any course from the Egyptian Spoken Arabic track, e.g. Arabic 110, 111, etc.

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Study Abroad in Arabic

Binghamton University-sponsored study-abroad opportunities are available for Arabic studies students in Ifrane, Morocco (al-Akhawayn University, where Binghamton has established an exchange program for fall and/or spring semesters).

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