Ralph E. Doty, Chair
Peggy L. Chambers, Instructor of Classics and Adviser
101 Kaufman Hall
Norman, OK 37019-2031
Phone: (405) 325-6921
FAX: (405) 325-7713
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/classics/
E-mail: rdoty@ou.edu
Professor Doty, Fears, Goble, E. Greene, Stanley; Associate Professor Catlin; Assistant Professor Huskey; Instructors Beck, Chambers, Hansen, Rich, Wagner, Walker-Esbaugh; Lecturer Masopust.
The Classics program is one of the original programs at the University of Oklahoma. Its purpose is to acquaint students with the major languages, the chief literary figures, and the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. In addition to their study of these ancient civilizations, Classics majors also learn about the important role that the Classical tradition has played in shaping the literature, arts and general culture of Western civilization. Current research in the area of Classical studies is emphasized, so that students may achieve a degree of proficiency in the methods used to uncover and study the past. Memberships in the American Academy in Rome, the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and the Vergilian Society provide students with a wide range of opportunities for studying abroad. Students also have the opportunity to participate in archaeological excavations at various sites in the Mediterranean region under the auspices of the Center for the Study of Mediterranean Civilizations and Cultures, which is housed in the Department of Classics and Letters.
The Classics program offers students two degree options. In the first, students pursue the more traditional curriculum which emphasizes study in the languages. This option is primarily intended for students who plan to teach Classics at either the high school or college level, or who plan to enter the ministry. The second degree option emphasizes study of Classical antiquity and the Classical tradition. Students who pursue this option do the majority of their work in Classical Culture and related courses. This option is intended for students who plan to pursue careers in areas outside teaching, such as law, medicine, business, government, etc. The Classics faculty works closely with students and is experienced in advising those who wish to pursue non-academic vocations upon graduation.
In 1937 the School of Letters was organized in the College of Arts and Sciences to “provide guidance and systematic programs of instruction for students whose chief interest lies in the fields of ancient and modern language and literature, and closely allied subjects.” Today the Letters program offers superior students a carefully supervised and coordinated curriculum in the humanities leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Letters. The program’s original purpose was to instill a deeper appreciation of their own culture through an exploration of the major movements of the Western civilization in which it was formed. By studying the important and characteristic achievements of the human mind from Greco-Roman antiquity to the modern era, students come to understand and appreciate the ideas and principles that form the basis of their own culture. This purpose has been expanded to include the study of other, non-western civilizations and cultures.
The Letters degree is interdisciplinary. Majors take courses in the areas of History (History and the History of Science), Literature (Classics, English, Modern Languages and Literatures), Letters, and Philosophy. In addition, the major requires students to take supporting courses in an ancient and a modern language. The program is based upon the assumption that cultivated intelligence, good judgment, and artistic expression in speech and writing are desirable in and for themselves.
The Letters major provides an excellent preparation for advanced study in professional and graduate schools. Many Letters graduates have chosen to continue their studies in such fields as medicine, law, business, government, education, and the clergy.
The Charles and Julie Daniels Study Abroad Scholarship has been established by Charles and Julie Daniels to provide financial assistance for Classics and Letters majors studying abroad.
The Jean Rhodes Herrick Scholarship has been established by the family, friends and former students of Jean Herrick, a long-time member of the Classics faculty, to honor an outstanding Classics major who plans to pursue a career in the teaching of Latin.
The Philip J. Nolan Scholarship in Classics and Letters has been established by the former students, colleagues and friends of Dr. Philip Jerome Nolan, who was Professor of Classics from 1953-1987, Director of the Letters Program from 1955-1978, and Chair of the Classics Department from 1959-1978. Two scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding senior undergraduate students majoring in Classics and Letters.
The Philip J. Nolan Scholarship Fund has been established by Marion and Dianne Bauman to honor the memory of Professor Philip J. Nolan by providing financial assistance for outstanding students majoring in Letters who have a financial need.
The Reid Phillips Memorial Scholarship has been established by the family of Letters alumnus, Reid Phillips, to provide financial assistance for outstanding students majoring in Letters.
The Oklahoma Classical League Scholarship has been established by the Oklahoma Classical League to honor a Classics major who was a member of the Junior Classical League while in high school.
The Mary Enod Williams Scholarship has been established by her son, Charles, to honor the memory of his mother, a long-time supporter of education in Oklahoma. This scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding Classics or Letters major.
The Peggy Chambers Scholarship has been established by a Letters alumnus to honor Peggy Chambers for her excellence in teaching and advising. Two scholarships are awarded annually to juniors majoring in Letters.
All of the above mentioned scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. All students majoring in Classics and Letters are considered as applicants for these awards.
Students majoring in Classics may choose a major concentration in classical culture, Greek, or Latin.
In order to fulfill the requirements of a major concentration in classical culture, students must earn 33 hours in courses in classical culture and related subjects including 27 hours numbered 3000 and above. A minimum of 27 hours in classical culture must be earned. Courses taken in related subjects must have prior approval of the Classics Department in order to be counted as major work. Students choosing the concentration in classical culture must also earn six hours of supporting coursework at the intermediate or upper-division level in Latin or Greek. Students may also substitute two additional upper-division Latin or Greek courses for two classical culture courses. Advanced Standing, Advanced Placement, CLEP, or similarly recognized credit for work prior to matriculating to the University may be counted toward satisfying the supporting course credit.
To fulfill the requirements of a major concentration in Latin or Greek, students must earn 30 hours of credit in one of the languages, including 24 hours of courses numbered 2000 and above (15 must be at the upper-division level). Six hours of Classical Culture courses may be substituted for six hours of Latin or Greek. Advanced Standing, Advanced Placement, CLEP, or similarly recognized credit for work prior to matriculating to the University may be counted toward the fulfillment of these requirements, up to a maximum of 16 credit hours.
A candidate for graduation with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Letters must achieve a combined retention grade point average of 3.00 or better, computed on the basis of the last 90 hours. Students who meet all requirements of this program with the exception of the minimum grade average requirement may be graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
In addition to fulfilling the general requirements of the University and the College of Arts and Sciences, students must complete 36 semester hours of major credit courses in each of three areas: history (which may include history of science), literature (which includes work in Classics, English, and Modern Languages and Literatures) , and philosophy (which may also include work in specified courses in political science, religious studies, and Native American Studies). Letters courses, depending on their content, may count in any of the areas. Students must earn a minimum of nine hours credit in each area, and 27 of their 36 total hours must be earned in upper-division courses. Students must also complete supporting courses in one ancient and one modern language either at the secondary or collegiate level. They must complete at least two intermediate-level courses in one of the languages and at least one intermediate-level course in the other. A supporting course in the history or appreciation of one of the fine arts is also required.
Letters majors may fulfill the capstone requirement in the Letters capstone courses or they may take the capstone in one of the participating departments including Classics, History, English or Philosophy.
Students wishing to minor in Classical Culture must earn 15 credit hours in classical culture courses, 12 of which must be earned in upper-division courses numbered 3000 or above. Three hours of credit in related courses may be substituted for work in classical culture with the permission of the department. Classical Culture 1412 may not be counted toward the minor.
Students wishing to minor in Latin or Greek must earn 15 hours in Latin or Greek courses numbered 2000 and above. A minimum of nine hours must be at the upper-division level. Students may substitute three hours in an upper-division classical culture course for three hours of Latin or Greek.