Courses

The University of Maryland offers many opportunities to study the worlds and legacies of ancient Greece and Rome through courses offered by the departments of Classics, Art History, Architecture, English, History, Jewish Studies, and Philosophy, and within the Honors program.

This listing describes the various courses relating to classical antiquity that will be offered in the fall semester of 2026. We have prepared this brochure to help you plan your course schedule. For additional information, students should consult an academic advisor in the appropriate department. Students interested in learning more about Classical studies should contact the

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Jorge Bravo III, jbravo@umd.edu, 1210 Marie Mount Hall.

CLAS170, Ancient Myths and Modern Lives (3 cr), MW, 11am-11:50am, MMH 1400 + discussion section. Also offered as RELS170. GenEd. DSHU, SCIS.

What are myths and why do we tell them? What powers do myths have? We will tackle these questions in this class by looking at the enduring and fascinating myths from ancient Greece and Rome. In addition to studying how they shaped ancient societies, we will also look at their modern influence and reflect upon the power that myths still hold in our contemporary world. [CH, CM]

CLAS277, How Do You Feel? (3 cr), MW, 3pm - 3:50pm, KEY0106, + discussion section GenEd, DSHU, SCIS.

Where do our emotions come from? Are they universal biological experiences, or are they shaped by the society in which we live, and therefore different from culture to culture? When do emotions serve the interests of those in power, and when do they resist dominant ideologies? These questions have fascinated scholars from a variety of fields, from linguistics to psychology to literary studies. This course posits that an analysis of artistic and cultural products can reveal important insights about these questions. We will thus read a variety of works of Greco-Roman literature with the above questions in mind, comparing these ancient texts to modern-day films, testing whether and how the portrayal of emotions has changed over time. Still, we will not neglect the discoveries from outside of literary studies: throughout the semester, we will periodically discuss relevant works of psychology, sociology, and more, interpreting the texts and films at hand through an interdisciplinary lens. [CH, CM]

CLAS305, Archaeological Methods and Practice (3 cr), MW, 2pm-3:15pm, AYS 1213. Also offered as ANTH305, ARTH305, and JWST319Y. Prerequisite: ANTH240, ARTH200, CLAS180, or CLAS190. Gen Ed. DSHS.

A team-taught, interdisciplinary course discussing theories, methods, and ethical issues in the practice of archaeology. [AR, CH]

CLAS309, Special Topics in Classical Literature: Infinite Scroll: From Ancient Books to Smartphones (3cr), MW, 2pm-3:50pm.

From the Bible and the Qur’an to the Greek and Latin classics, books written thousands of years ago continue to shape our world today. But we almost never possess the ancient originals themselves. So how have these texts reached us? And how authentic are the versions that we read today? This course explores the long journey of texts from antiquity to the present. Through selections from ancient literature and modern scholarship, students will learn how books are shaped not only by their authors, but also by their copyists, editors, translators, and readers. Our exploration of the history of written texts will take us to the UMD Special Collections, the Hornbake Library Letterpress Studio, and other collections in the D.C. area. [CH]

CLAS310, Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy (3 cr), MW, 12pm-12:50pm, ESJ 0215. Also offered as PHIL310, PHPE308Y. Gen Ed, DSHU.

A study of the origins and development of philosophy in ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans, and Stoics. [CH]

CLAS312, The Modernity of Athenian Democracy (3 cr), MW, 2pm-3:15pm, MMH 1304.

The course examines how Athenian democracy can offer insights into contemporary challenges. It focuses on key themes such as political engagement, justice, freedom, democracy, and civic duty. Additionally, it explores, through the works of Greek philosophers, historians, and poets, the democratic culture of the Athenian citizenry and the concepts of personal virtue, happiness, and societal well-being. Through the study of selected texts from ancient Greek literature in translation, the course seeks to define the fundamental values of democracy based on the Greek historical paradigm and its reception by modernity. [CH, CM]

Ancient Greek

GREK101, Elementary Ancient Greek I (4 cr), MWF, 12pm-12:50pm + W 1pm-1:50pm. Prerequisite: None. A student who has had two units of ancient Greek in high school may register for GREK101 for the purpose of review but not for credit. ONLINE.

Study of basic grammar, development of reading facility, and introduction to Athenian life in the fifth century B.C. [GK]

GREK201/GREK488B, Intermediate Ancient Greek (4 cr), MWF, 10am-10:50am + M 9am-9:50am. Prerequisite: GREK102 or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department. MMH 1304.

Advancing beyond the basics skills developed in GREK101 and GREK102, the course begins with a review of selected grammatical concepts, works through the rest of the Athenaze textbook, and ends with continuous reading of passages from Greek literature. [GK]

GREK488T, Tragedy and Comedy (3 cr), Tu 1pm-3:40pm. Prerequisite: GREK301, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. MMH 1218.

The goal of this seminar is to deepen your knowledge of the theater of Euripides and Aristophanes by studying the sympathies and differences between the two playwrights. In order to do so, we will read and discuss a tragedy by Euripides and a comedy by Aristophanes side by side. By the end of the course, you will become familiar with the current scholarship on the plays, as well as with a few approaches that have proven illuminating for the interpretation of their drama. Readings are in ancient Greek. [GK]

GREK688T, Tragedy and Comedy (3 cr), Tu 1pm-3:40pm, MMH 1218.

See GREK488T above.

Modern Greek

GREK111, Elementary Modern Greek I (3 cr), MWF, 12pm-12:50pm, MMH 1218.

An introduction to the language and culture of modern Greece. Students begin to acquire the basic tools of the language and to communicate in simple everyday situations. This is the first of our two-semester sequence in Elementary Modern Greek and contributes to the fulfillment of the Global Engagement requirement of the College of Arts and Humanities. [GK]

GREK211, Intermediate Modern Greek I (3 cr), MWF, 10am-10:50am. Prerequisite: GREK112, or permission of instructor. Credit only grated for: FOLA118G or GREK211. MMH 1218.

A continuation of the study of basic structures and the development of fluency in functional, spoken, and written communication. This is the first of our two-semester sequence in Intermediate Modern Greek and contributes to the fulfillment of the Global Engagement requirement of the College of Arts and Humanities. [GK]

GREK398, Advanced Modern Greek (3 cr), MWF, 11am-11:50am, MMH 1218.

A continuation of the study of intermediate Greek, focusing on advanced structures and grammar and the development of fluency in functional, spoken, and written communication. This is the first of our two-semester sequence in Advanced Modern Greek and contributes to the fulfillment of the Global Engagement requirement of the College of Arts and Humanities. [GK]

LATN101, Elementary Latin I (4 cr), MF, 11AM–11:50AM, W 11AM–12:50PM, JMZ 1122.

This course provides an introduction to the basic grammar and syntax of classical Latin. Its aim is to enable students to acquire some of the fundamentals necessary for reading authentic Latin prose and poetry; it is expected that students will complete that acquisition in the second semester (LATN102). The course does not teach Latin as a spoken language. This course is part of the Latin track, which may be used to fulfill the Global Engagement requirement for the College of Arts and Humanities. [LT]

LATN201, Intermediate Latin (4 cr), MWF, 10am - 10:50am + F 9am-9:50am. Prerequisite: Must have completed LATN102 at the University of Maryland, College Park; or permission of the ARHU-Classics department. ONLINE.

Students pursue selected readings in Latin prose and poetry drawn from the late Roman Republic and early Empire. This survey covers many of the “greatest hits” of Latin literature, with attention to tropes and meter. Readings are in Latin. [LT]

LATN351, Horace and Catullus (3 cr), TuThu 11am-12:15pm. Prerequisite: LATN201 or four years of high school Latin, or by permission of the department. MMH 1218.

In reading the polymetric and elegiac poems of Catullus, and the lyric poems of Horace, we will focus on their distinctive literary artistry, special linguistic qualities, socio-cultural significance, as well as their debts to earlier Greek and Roman writers. We will pay particular attention to their use of meter, the challenges of rendering their poetry into English, and the intertextual relationships between their writings. Readings are in Latin. [LT]

LATN472, Historical Development of the Latin Language (3 cr), M 5pm-7:40pm, MMH 1218.

An analysis of the development of the Latin language from archaic times to the Middle Ages. [LT]

LATN488I, Latin Readings; Latin Prose Composition (3 cr), MW, 2pm–3:15pm. Prerequisite: LATN201 at the University of Maryland or equivalent. ONLINE.

Intensive review of Latin syntax through extensive exercises in composition. This course turns the largely passive knowledge gained in beginning Latin into active knowledge and will increase the student’s speed and comprehension in reading Latin. Introduction of advanced terminology omitted in most beginner texts. [LT]

LATN672, Historical Development of the Latin Langauge (3 cr), M 5pm-7:40pm, MMH 1218.

See LATN472 above.

LATN688I, Latin Readings; Latin Prose Composition (3 cr), MW, 2pm–3:15pm, ONLINE.

See LATN488I above.

Classics Faculty

Eric Adler-Classics-Ph.D. Duke

Francisco Barrenechea-Classics-Ph.D. Columbia

Jorge J. Bravo III-Classics-Ph.D. Berkeley

Gregory Bucher-Classics-Ph.D. Brown

Kathleen Garland-Classics-Ph.D. Cornell

Chiara Graf-Classics-Ph.D. Toronto

Eugenia Lao-Classics-Ph.D. Princeton

Nathan Levine-Classics-Ph.D. Berkeley

Polyvia Parara-Classics-Ph.D. Paris X

Katherine Wasdin-Classics-Ph.D. Yale

Faculty in Related Departments

Sabrina Baron-History-Ph.D. Chicago

Stephen Brighton-Anthropology-Ph.D. Boston

Emily Egan-Art History & Archaeology-Ph.D. Cincinnati

Maryl Gensheimer-Art History & Archaeology-Ph.D. NYU

Anita Georgevska-Shine-Art History & Archaeology-Ph.D. Maryland

Maxine Grossman-Jewish Studies-Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania

George Hambrecht-Anthropology-Ph.D. CUNY

Sujith Kumar-Government and Politics-Ph.D. London School of Economics

Hayim Lapin-Jewish Studies-Ph.D. Columbia

Thomas Moser-English-Ph.D. Stanford

Damien Pfister-Communication-Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh

Kathryn Lafrenz Samuels-Anthropology-Ph.D. Stanford

Paul Shackel-Anthropology-Ph.D. SUNY Buffalo

Rachel Singpurwalla-Philosophy-Ph.D. University of Colorado

Sarah Slingluff-Art History-Ph.D. Edinburgh

Gregory Stoehr-History-Ph.D. Maryland

Matthew Suriano-Jewish Studies-Ph.D. UCLA

Stefan Woehlke-Historic Preservation-Ph.D. Maryland

General Education Key

Many of our courses fulﬁll General Education requirements. If you matriculated (i.e., you were admitted to UMCP as either a freshman or transfer student) in fall 2012 or later, then you are subject to the General Education program requirements.

DSHS = Distributive Studies – History & Social Sciences

DSHU = Distributive Studies – Humanities

DSSP = Distributive Studies – Scholarship in Practice

DVUP = Diversity – Understanding Plural Societies

SCIS = Signature Courses – Big Ideas (formerly I-Series)

Classics Minor Key

Use the following codes to determine whether a given course is appropriate for your specific rubric:

AR = Appropriate for the Archaeology minor.

CH = Appropriate for the Classical Humanities major track, OR as a supporting course for one of the language tracks (Latin or Latin & Greek).

NOTE: Any GREK or LATN course may be counted toward the Classical Humanities track.
Students in that track are encouraged to take as much Latin and/or Greek as possible.

CM = Appropriate for the Classical Mythology minor.

GK = Appropriate for the Greek minor. At least one of three 300- or 400-level courses in the minor must have the GREK prefix.

LT = Appropriate for the Latin minor.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you’re not sure whether a given course is appropriate for your program,
please speak with an advisor in the Classics Department. Exceptions are
possible if a course fits the context of your individual program. For the
Archaeology minor, contact Professor Jorge Bravo III at jbravo@umd.edu.
For the Modern Greek minor, contact Professor Polyvia Parara at
pparara@umd.edu. For other minors and for different tracks of the Classics
major, contact Professor Jorge Bravo III at jbravo@umd.edu.

Majoring in Classics

There are three major tracks in the Department of Classics. Those who choose Classics as an undergraduate major solely for the sake of the strong liberal-arts background it provides, and who do not desire to continue in the field, may choose either of the language tracks or the Classical Humanities track. This program requires 12 credits at the 100-200 level and 24 credits at the 300-400 level, including a capstone course, CLAS409. Study of Latin or ancient Greek is encouraged but not required for those choosing this track. At least half of the credits at each level must be taken in the Classics Department (this includes LATN and GREK courses); the rest may be taken in other departments, such as Art History and Archaeology, Architecture, History, English, Anthropology, or Philosophy. Students choosing the Classical Humanities track will work closely with an undergraduate advisor to design an individual program of study with a coherent focus—i.e., religion and mythology, textual and material culture, or the reception of Greek and Roman culture in later eras.

Students who wish to become Latin teachers should choose either the Latin or the Latin and Greek track. Those who plan to do graduate work in Classics, ancient history, or ancient philosophy should choose the Latin and Greek track. The Latin track requires 30 credits of Latin at the 200-level or higher, at least 12 of which must be at the 400-level or higher, plus 9-12 credits of supporting courses at any level in CLAS, GREK, or related fields such as HIST and ARTH.

The combined track in Latin and Greek requires at least 18 credits of either Latin or Greek and 12 hours of the other classical language, plus 9 hours of supporting courses in CLAS or related fields. Students with no previous training in the second language may count introductory-level courses as part of the 12-hour requirement.

Minoring in Classics

Students seeking to pursue a coordinated program of study in Classics (short of majoring in Classics) may be permitted to enroll in a program of study leading to the award of a minor in one of four areas: Latin Language and Literature; Greek Language and Culture; Classical Mythology [in English]; and Archaeology. Each minor program requires a set of selected CLAS, GREK, or LATN courses; the first two require at least some work in Latin or Greek at the 300-level or above. The Greek minor can be earned in either ancient or modern Greek. Minors offer students an opportunity to pursue a coherent program of study outside the major and to gain an additional form of recognition for their academic achievements.

For additional information on earning a minor in Classics, or to apply for admission to any one of the four programs, students should contact Professor Jorge Bravo III (jbravo@umd.edu).

See the department website at www.classics.umd.edu for more details.

In today’s world, everything from Coca Cola to cars is called “classic.” But in its earliest sense, this word, Latin in origin, was used to describe the literatures of Greece and Rome—they were “first-class,” the best of their kind.

As a modern academic field, Classics is the study of these languages and literatures, and of the cultures to which they belonged. It also refers to the study of the continuing impact that antiquity has had on the contemporary world. Although Latin and ancient Greek are no longer used as spoken languages, they have indelibly influenced modern languages such as English, Spanish, and French.

Furthermore, the ideas voiced by Homer or Plato in Greek and by Ovid or Cicero in Latin have shaped the tradition from which America first emerged. Indeed, America is a product of the renaissance, or “rebirth,” of the ancient culture that characterized the years after 1400.

Classics serves as an excellent major for students who are considering a wide variety of professional careers. For centuries, Classics was the major chosen by university students in preparation for their future careers in law, ministry, medicine, and politics—that is why so many terms in law (e.g., habeas corpus) and medicine (e.g., hypochondria) are derived from Greek and Latin. At the University of Maryland, Classics majors learn clarity and precision of expression in speaking and writing, develop analytical and problem-solving skills, and gain a broadly-based intellectual foundation for a lifetime of career paths. By studying Latin or Greek, even if only for a few semesters, our students are able to develop a refined sense of how language works to clarify, explain, persuade, and entertain. In fact, Latin and Greek have contributed to over 60% of the English vocabulary; therefore, we provide students with an invaluable resource for improving their command over the English language. Learning the ancient languages will also give our students the opportunity to share their knowledge and interests with thousands of like-minded individuals, as well as the chance to read works that have brilliantly expressed the wonders and depth of human existence over the last two thousand years.

Even if you do not have time to study Latin or Greek or major in Classics, you can continue your study of classical antiquity through various courses taught in English that cover a wide range of topics. Many academic fields today are rooted in classical antiquity (even “cybernetics” derives from a Greek word!); so, it makes sense that Classics is an interdisciplinary area of study which has contributed to the overall development of fields such as politics, psychology, and literary criticism. Classics also combines its own work with the latest approaches of new fields such as semiotics, women’s studies, and archaeology. In the Classics Department, you can study many diverse topics, including ancient technology, Hollywood’s continuing fascination with ancient Greece and Rome, and Thomas Jefferson’s love for ancient architecture and the role he played in turning Washington, D.C., into a modern “classical” city.

The Classics Department at the University of Maryland, College Park, is recognized for its dedication to teaching, along with its many contributions to scholarship. Our Classics faculty members have won a plethora of teaching awards and they are committed to creating the kind of learning community in which students receive active and personal support. Graduate Teaching Assistants in Classics are enthusiastic and dedicated to their work; they are selected not only for their academic backgrounds, but also for their potential as educators. Apart from CLAS170 (Ancient Myths and Modern Lives), Classics classes are typically small (i.e., most have 10-30 students). The faculty bring to their teaching the fruits of their exciting and diverse research interests: Greek drama and its reception in Mexico (Prof. Barrenechea); the archaeology of Greek cult and ancient athletics (Prof. Bravo); Roman historiography and history of the humanities (Prof. Adler); archaic Greek poetry and Jewish Hellenistic culture (Prof. Levine); Greco-Roman love poetry and its reception in the twentieth century (Prof. Wasdin); Roman historiography and ancient epigraphy (Prof. Bucher); and critical theory and Roman philosophy (Prof. Graf). Many of our faculty members have had books published by the Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, University of California Press, and the University of Michigan Press, among others.

The Department offers instruction under three different headings: CLAS, GREK, and LATN. CLAS courses deal with various aspects of the ancient world, using English language texts and translated works of Greek and Latin literature. CLAS courses do not provide instruction in the ancient languages, nor will they fully satisfy the Global Engagement requirement in the College of Arts and Humanities. GREK and LATN courses use English language texts as well as material in Greek and Latin. They are designed to help students master the Latin or Greek language, and they can be used to satisfy the College’s Global Engagement requirement.