Greek and Latin, BA

Location(s): Main Campus

The Bachelor of Arts in Greek and Latin program is designed to provide thorough and rigorous training in ancient Greek and Latin, as well as the principal languages and literature of the ancient Mediterranean world and beyond. Our majors have opened doors for graduates in various fields: teaching, scholarship (including PhD work in Classics/Ancient Mediterranean Studies, archaeology, etc.), and careers of all sorts. Specializing in one of the two languages (ancient Greek or Latin), students enrolled in this major take at least three semesters in one language of their choice plus at least two semesters of study in the other. The program is rounded out with coursework from subfields such as Mediterranean archaeology, ancient history, and ancient philosophy.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Depending on prior exposure to the language, LAT 101, LAT 102 GRK 101 and GRK 102 may be required prerequisites for the major. With departmental approval, a special program may be devised that emphasizes both languages equally or in which one language predominates.

Course Requirements

Students interested in the major in Greek and Latin must complete the following requirements (10 courses in total):

3 Courses beyond 102 in either ancient Greek or Latin (this will be the student’s primary language)
2 Courses in the other, secondary, language
5 Courses listed under Ancient Greek, Latin, or Ancient Mediterranean studies (GRK, LAT, AMS) or those chosen with the Undergraduate Director’s approval

Notes:

No more than three introductory (100-level) couses shall count toward the major.
Teaching practica (e.g. AMS 391, GRK 391, LAT 391) shall not count towards the major.
At least six courses must be taken at the 300-level or above. When selecting courses, students are advised to work with the Undergraduate Director to ensure that this requirement is met.
Any course in which a student receives the grade of P or D shall not count toward the major.

Additional Information About the Program

Students looking for an additional challenge may do so by pursuing honors in Greek and Latin. To be eligible, students must possess a minimum GPA of 3.6 in their major, not counting courses taken as pass/fail. Students must work with a faculty advisor and register for AMS498 Senior Honors. Successful completion of AMS498 with a grade of A- or better, along with positive judgment from their faculty supervisor and two readers will grant the student honors designation.

Students who hope to pursue an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) in Latin should consult with the Undergraduate Director as soon as possible to ensure they build a roster of courses that will allow them to meet the language credit requirements of NYS and out-of-state universities, as these requirements can vary from school to school.

NOTE: Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

For more information on the Greek and Latin BA program, please refer to the Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies website. To apply to the Greek and Latin BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.