Classical Humanities, B.A.
The study of classical humanities, offered by Saint Louis University's Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, is designed for students seeking firm foundations and interdisciplinary depth in their liberal arts education. It’s also intended for students who plan to pursue studies that are facilitated by knowledge of classical languages and culture. These include law, medicine, theology, philosophy, medieval and Renaissance studies, political science, communication, mythology, anthropology, psychology, art history, cultural criticism and the history of education.
- Students studying classical languages enjoy small classes and personalized attention.
- Students have a great deal of flexibility in their programs.
- Students enjoy the resources of Saint Louis University’s Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, as well as the Vatican Film Library.
- Students have access to computing facilities that offer computer software and internet support for Latin and Greek studies, literary studies and comparative literature.
Curriculum Overview
Saint Louis University's classical humanities major's flexible curriculum complements other majors based on a knowledge of classical languages and culture — including law, medicine, theology, philosophy, political science, anthropology, forensic science, medieval studies and art history — and offers many types of tutorials and independent study options.
SLU's major in classical humanities requires 30 credits. Students will choose from three required courses in Latin, Greek — or both — and go on to take seven electives from any Greek or Latin courses or upper-division courses relating to classical culture. Students studying classical languages at SLU enjoy small classes and personalized attention.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Students have access to the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies and the Vatican Film Library on campus, as well as access to computer software and internet support specifically for Latin and Greek studies, literary studies and comparative literature.
Careers
Most classical humanities graduates continue their professional study in classical languages or in other fields. Recent graduates of SLU's classical humanities program have entered fields such as law, theological studies, social work, art history, hospital administration and education, and medicine following graduate programs.
Admission Requirements
Begin Your Application
Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to understand and respond to what is read in Greek or Latin on a variety of topics related to themselves and their immediate context.
- Graduates will be able to use the target languages and cultures in order to expand their knowledge of other disciplines.
- Graduates will be able to compare their own cultures with the target language cultures.
Classical humanities students must complete a minimum of 30 credits for the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| College core requirements | 57-66 | |
| For additional information about core courses | ||
| Classical Humanities Required Courses | ||
| All majors take the following sequence of 3 courses of either Greek or Latin: | 9 | |
GK 1010 & GK 1020 & GK 2010 | Reading Greek I and Reading Greek II and Intermediate Greek Lang & Lit | |
LATN 1010 & LATN 1020 & LATN 2010 | Reading Latin I and Reading Latin II and Intermediate Latin: Language & Literature | |
| Classical Humanities Elective Courses | ||
| Students also take 21 credits chosen from any Greek or Latin courses, or courses of 3000-level or higher relating to Classical culture with the CLH attribute. These courses are offered by departments such as Languages, Literatures & Cultures; History; Fine & Performing Arts; Philosophy; Theological Studies and English. Examples of such elective courses are: | 21 | |
GK 4560 | Euripides | |
LATN 4020 | Roman Letter Writers | |
ENGL 3380 | The Classics and Literature | |
HIST 3000 | Ancient Greece | |
PHIL 4400 | History of Ancient Greek Philosophy | |
| General Electives | 24-33 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Continuation Standards
Students with a major in Classical humanities, Greek, or Latin must maintain a 2.00 GPA in courses required for the major.
Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Please note: beginning in Fall 2022, all incoming SLU undergraduates—regardless of major, program, college or school—will complete the University Core curriculum. You can find more information about SLU’s common Core here: https://www.slu.edu/core/index.php | ||
| Core Components and Credits | ||
| Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
| Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Global Citizenship | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 6 | |
| Philosophy | 9 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Theology | 9 | |
| World History | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 57-66 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
- Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
- Complete major requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Nation, Identity and Literature (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses.
In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements - Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
- Complete department/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in First-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| LATN 1010 or GK 1010 |
Reading Latin I 1 or Reading Greek I |
3 |
| UNIV 1010 | Enhancing First-Year Success | 1 |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in First-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| LATN 1020 or GK 1020 |
Reading Latin II or Reading Greek II |
3 |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| LATN 2010 or GK 2010 |
Intermediate Latin: Language & Literature or Intermediate Greek Lang & Lit |
3 |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| Elective for Classical Humanities | 3 | |
| Elective for Classical Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective for Classical Humanities | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective for Classical Humanities 5 | 3 | |
| Elective for Classical Humanities 6 | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective for Classical Humanities 7 | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective for Classical Humanities | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
| 1 | Students with prior experience in Latin or Greek will take a placement test to determine their level. See Program Notes |
| 3 | For example: LATN 4020 Roman Letter Writers (3 cr) |
| 5 | For example, GK 4460 Homer: The Odyssey (3 cr) |
| 6 | For example: HIST 3090 The Age of Renaissance (3 cr) |
| 7 | For example: THEO 3365 Teachers in Early Christianity (3 cr) |
Program Notes
The sequence of courses will vary according to the student’s previous experience with the language and individual preferences.
SLU's major in classical humanities requires 30 credits. You will choose from three required courses in Latin, Greek — or both — and go on to take seven electives from any Greek or Latin courses or upper-division courses relating to classical culture.
SLU Classical humanities majors generally complete a second or even a third major in another discipline – for example, history, English, biology, psychology, philosophy, communication, etc.