Fall 2025 Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Courses Overview
Although the major requirements at Columbia and Barnard differ, the Classics departments on either side of Broadway function basically as one, and the curriculum is jointly planned and taught. Advanced graduate students with previous training in Classics instruction teach some of the elementary and intermediate courses under the supervision of a faculty member; all courses at the 3000 level and above are taught by faculty. Our faculty members are dedicated to teaching undergraduates and are eager to help students discover the joys of the classical world for themselves; we are also extremely proud of the quality of our graduate student teachers.
Elementary and intermediate courses here are not “baby” courses, and in both Latin and Greek, students read real ancient literature rather than watered-down or rewritten texts.
Language and Literature Courses
The course numbers below are used for both Greek and Latin, except as noted. Please consult the Columbia and Barnard catalogues for full descriptions of all courses.
1101-2: Introductory language course in TWO semesters. This is the normal course taken by those beginning a language not previously studied; it covers all the basic grammar and gives some practice reading easy texts.
1121: This one-semester course is the equivalent of both 1101 and 1102; it covers all the basic grammar in one semester and enables the participants to take courses at the 2100 level the following semester. This option is very effective for those who are highly committed to Classics and want to begin reading literature as soon as possible; it is also time-saving for those who begin languages late in their college careers, and in Greek, it is a good option for those with some prior background but not enough to take courses at the 2100 level. The designation “intensive” is significant, however: you should be prepared to make a substantial time commitment if you take one of these courses.
2101-2: This sequence provides intermediate language training in both prose and poetry. The completion of 2102 satisfies the language requirement. Students registering for 2101 are expected to have successfully completed one year of language study at the college level (or the equivalent).
3012 (Latin only): This is the fifth-semester Latin course and the beginning of the Latin literature sequence. It is highly recommended for incoming first year students who have had enough Latin to place out of 2101-2 or for those who have completed the intermediate sequence here.
3013 (Latin only): This course is designed as a sequel or alternative to 3012 and aims to sharpen translation skills by concentrating on classical Latin prose.
3309, 3310, 4009, 4010: These advanced literature courses are offered annually with changes in subject matter, so that students will have a chance to read as many representative authors as possible. Courses at the 4000 level are not necessarily more difficult than those at the 3000 level when taken by undergraduates though the pace and the focus of the class might be different; the significance of the designation is that graduate students as well as undergraduates may take 4000 level courses, but in many cases undergraduates and graduates will not be given the same workload in these courses. Students who are in doubt about the level of a specific class should consult the instructor.
3033, 4152 (Latin only): These courses constitute the sequence in medieval Latin; in most both will be offered.
3996: The major seminar is intended for senior majors in Classics, Classical Studies, and Ancient Studies but is also open to juniors. The course considers a different topic each year, analysing it across time periods, genres, and both languages. It focuses on honing skills that are useful for working on the senior thesis, such as how to frame a discussion topic, how to analyze a text philologically and thematically, and how to develop a bibliography. The course also provides upper-level students in Classics, Classical Studies, and Ancient Studies with an opportunity to get to know each other in a congenial and interactive environment.
4100: The literature survey is designed to give advanced Classics undergraduates and entering graduate students a grasp of the broader picture of Greek or Latin literature, as opposed to the more focused topics offered in other advanced courses. These classes stress that works of Classical literature were composed not in a vacuum but in a literary and cultural context; only by understanding Classical literature as a whole can one really comprehend the role of any one work within that framework.
5139: This fast-paced advanced course focuses on enabling students to write, as well as read, Greek and Latin. It consists largely of an intensive review of grammar and syntax at an advanced level, with the translation of sentences or short paragraphs into the ancient languages. We are fortunate to have faculty members with expertise in Greek and Latin prose composition, a discipline not available at many institutions, and all students with the appropriate background (at least 4 terms of Latin/Greek) are urged to take advantage of this opportunity.
Note: This is technically a graduate course, but undergraduates are welcome to enroll with the instructor’s permission.
Classical Civilization and Literature in Translation
These courses are designed for both majors and non-majors and are ideal for students with no prior background in the ancient world, though they may also be of interest to more advanced students. Some, such as Classical Myth (3132), are normally offered every year; others are offered in rotation or once only.
Modern Greek and Hellenic Studies
The Program in Hellenic Studies offers an interdisciplinary curriculum exploring Greek language, literature, culture, and history. Students can advance from introductory Modern Greek (1101-02 / 2101-2 / 3003) to upper-level seminars on topics such as modern Greek poetry, democracy and cultural identity, queer literature from antiquity until today, and the historical legacy of cities like Thessaloniki. Many courses are cross-listed with departments, including Comparative Literature, History, and Art History, allowing for broad academic connections. Opportunities for directed readings, independent research, and study abroad further enrich the program, offering students a flexible and immersive experience in Hellenic studies. You can find more information about these courses at the Program’s website here.