Deptartment of European and Classical Languages and Cultures

Historical Background

Formal study of the language and culture of ancient Greece and Rome has always been a part of life at A&M; indeed, a Classics instructor was among the first group of professors hired over one hundred years ago. From the Aggie Players' productions of Greek drama to the Ionic columns of the Academic Building, the Classics have always played a part in the growth and development of the oldest public university in Texas.

With the explosion of interest in the liberal arts at A&M, the Classics have assumed a much greater role in the intellectual life of the university. In 1976, the Institute for Nautical Archaeology was established as the world's foremost center for the study of ancient seafaring. Regular instruction in the Greek and Latin languages resumed, and specialists in Classical Studies joined the departments of architecture, history, and philosophy. In 1983, a committee began considering ways to integrate this work more effectively. As a result, the Interdisciplinary Program in Classical Studies was established in 1988.

As its title suggests, the program is founded on the principle that Classical Studies are by definition interdisciplinary. From the study of papyri and manuscripts to presocratic philosophy, ancient medicine and ancient athletics, each individual discipline contributes only a part of what can be known about ancient life, society, and culture. The Classical Studies program exists to help both students and faculty connect their individual interests into a larger, more meaningful whole, and to aid the University in meeting its stated commitment to assist students in their search for knowledge, to help them understand themselves and their cultural and physical environments, and to develop in them the wisdom and skills needed to assume responsibility in a democratic society.

Classical Studies Faculty

The following faculty, listed with their research interests, currently teaches the courses in the Classical Studies minor:

John Alexander, Architecture (Ph.D. U. of Virginia)
Greek and Roman Art and Architecture

Scott Austin, Philosophy (Ph.D. U. of Texas)
Ancient Philosophy
Medieval Philosophy
Metaphysics

Deborah Carlson, Anthroplogy/Nautical Archaeology (Ph.D. U. of Texas)
Greek and Roman Archaeology
Nautical Archaeology

Federica Ciccolella, European and Classical Languages (Ph.D. Columbia U.; Ph.D. U. of Turin)
Greek Literary Tradition
Byzantine Studies

Elise Garrison, European and Classical Languages (Ph.D. Stanford U.)
Ancient Drama
Greek Religion and Law
Greek and Roman Athletics

Nancy Golsan, European and Classical Languages (M.A. U. of North Carolina)
Latin Language and Literature

Craig Kallendorf, European and Classical Languages; English (Ph.D. U. of North Carolina)
Ancient Epic
Rhetoric and Literary Criticism
The Classical Tradition

Christoph Konrad, European and Classical Languages (Ph.D. U. of North Carolina)
Greek and Roman History
Ancient Historiography
Roman Law and Religion

Steven Oberhelman, European and Classical Languages (Ph.D. U. of Minnesota)
Early Christianity
Greek and Roman Social History
Ancient Medicine

Robin Smith, Philosophy ( Ph.D. Claremont Graduate School)
Greek Philosophy

Program Activities

The Interdisciplinary Program in Classical Studies sponsors or co-sponsors a number of special activities each year, such as:
• Lectures by nationally and internationally recognized visiting scholars
• National conferences on various aspects of ancient culture
• An undergraduate Classical Studies club
• Readings in English of ancient literature
• Undergraduate and graduate student colloquia
• Research presentations

For information, please contact:

Dr. Nathan Bracher, Departmental Advisor
Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures, Texas A&M University
4215-TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4215
979-845-0470 or 979-845-2124
E-mail: nbracher@tamu.edu

Dr. Craig Kallendorf
Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures, Texas A&M University
4215-TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4215
979-845-4638
E-mail: kalendrf@tamu.edu

Dr. Christoph Konrad, Assistant Head
Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures, Texas A&M University
4215-TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4215
979-764-2802
E-mail: konradc@tamu.edu

The Academic Minor in Classical Studies

For undergraduates, the center of the interdisciplinary program is a formal minor in Classical Studies administered through the College of Liberal Arts. The requirements are in two parts:

I. LANGUAGE. Students must take two semesters of either Greek or Latin language at the college level. Those with previous work in either language may take a placement exam administered by the Department of European and Classical Languages, with the year's work to be determined according to the results of the exam. For those without previous work in either language, Classics 101&102 (Greek) or 121&122 (Latin) will fulfill the requirement.

II. CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION. Students must also take a minimum of four courses (12 hours) from the following list (except as noted in III below). These courses must be selected from at least two departments, and at least two of them (six hours) must be at the 300 or 400 level:

ANTH 317 Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
ANTH 351 Classical Archaeology
ANTH/CLAS 353 Greek Archaeology
ANTH/CLAS 354 Archaeology of Ancient Italy
ARCH 430 History of Ancient Architecture
ARCH 434 Sculpture and Painting in Ancient Architecture
ARTS 335 The Art and Architecture of Rome
CLAS 211 Intermediate Greek
CLAS 221 Intermediate Latin I
CLAS 222 Intermediate Latin II
CLAS 311 Advanced Greek: New Testament
CLAS 312 Advanced Classical Greek
CLAS 321 Advanced Latin Readings
CLAS/HIST/WMST 330 Women in Ancient Greece and Rome
CLAS/RELS 351 Classical Mythology
CLAS 352 Greek and Roman Drama
CLAS 361 Greek Literature in Translation
CLAS 371 In Search of Homer and the Trojan War
CLAS 372 Greek and Roman Epic
CLAS 381 Ancient Athletics
HIST/CLAS 426 The Ancient Greeks
HIST/CLAS 428 The Roman Republic
HIST/CLAS 429 The Roman Empire
PHIL 410 Classical Philosophy

III. OTHER COURSEWORK

Students may select 485, 489, and 497H courses as approved by the Classical Studies faculty and the Departmental Advisor to meet the 12-hour requirement in II. The same course cannot be used to fulfill requirements under both I and II above. The Classical Studies committee may approve deviations from these requirements, by petition.

Departmental Minor in Greek or Latin

Instead of the Interdisciplinary Minor in Classical Studies, students may choose a European and Classical Languages Department Minor in Greek or Latin.

IV. Minor in Greek. Students must take CLAS 101, 102, 211, and three courses—at least one each—in Advanced Greek: New Testament (311) and Advanced Classical Greek (312).

V. Minor in Latin. Students must take CLAS 121, 122, 221, 222, and two courses in Advanced Latin Readings (321).

The Department also offers a 24-hour teaching field in Latin; for particulars, please see the Departmental Advisor.
Dr. Nathan Bracher, Departmental Advisor