The language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East are the primary subjects of study in the Department of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies (CANES) at UW-Madison. Our department and its affiliated faculty offer language instruction in Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew, as well as courses in literature in translation, civilization and society, art and archaeology, history, philosophy, and political science. Our course offerings include everything from mythology and ancient religions to sex and gender and even monsters.
CANES offers the Classics, Latin, and Classical Humanities majors and the Classical Studies certificate:
• Classics – A combination of Greek and Latin, with a primary emphasis on one of these languages
• Latin – Emphasis solely on the study of Latin
• Classical Humanities – A combination of courses in ancient culture and the Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew languages
• Classical Studies Certificate – Courses in ancient culture, no language study required
Contact CANES advisor Toni Landis for more information or to discuss or declare a major. She can assist with questions about the majors, the certificate, other L&S requirements and opportunities, and careers. Appointments can be made through Starfish on MyUW or by email at tllandis@wisc.edu.
Program Options
The Classics major allows students to achieve proficiency in both Greek and Latin. Majors who choose an emphasis in Greek also complete four semesters of Latin, and likewise, those who choose an emphasis in Latin complete four semesters of Greek.
Such comprehensive training enables classics majors to explore Greek and Roman literature in the original languages. From a practical standpoint, students develop analytical and critical thinking skills, and they also become thoughtful and gifted writers in their native languages thanks to the intensive grammatical training, critical reading skills, and source criticism required by the study of ancient languages.
Requirements
- Latin Emphasis
- Latin 103, 104, 203, 204, 301, 302, and one course numbered 500 and above
- Greek 103, 104, 305, 306
- Greek Emphasis
- Greek 103, 104, 305, 306, 401, 402, and one course numbered 500 and above
- Latin 103, 104, 203, 204
Students who pursue the Latin major read a wide variety of authors and can expect to achieve a high level of competency in the ancient language of the Romans. Coursework includes such favorites as Vergil, Ovid, Cicero, Julius Caesar, and Catullus, but students can expect to be able to read other authors like the historians (Livy, Sallust, and Tacitus) and genres like lyric, satire, and drama.
Like those who choose the Classics major, Latin majors tend to have advanced language and writing competency due to the intensive grammatical training, critical reading skills, and source criticism required by the study of ancient languages.
For those who are interested in teaching Latin at the secondary level, the School of Education offers certification. Students of this program take Latin courses in our department, while receiving their teacher training in the School of Education. Contact Toni Landis, the CANES advisor, for placement.
Requirements
- Latin 103, 104, 203, 204, 301, 302
- 4 Latin courses numbered 500 and above
The Classical Humanities major allows students to combine their love of ancient language with the exploration of the literature, society, and culture of ancient Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East.
Students study Greek, Latin, or Biblical Hebrew in two or four semester combinations, and they choose from a wide selection of complementary courses, including topics in art, architecture, archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, and politics. In addition to supporting their language study, these subjects enable our majors to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the ancient world.
Requirements
The classical humanities major consists of a combination of courses in ancient culture and classical languages. The major requirements are divided into three areas: Language, Literature and Culture, and Seminar.
Students typically earn 32–34 credits from these three areas to complete the major requirements; 18 credits are required in the Literature and Culture, and Seminar categories. The requirements for the major are:
- Language – 4 Semesters of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew Bible or 2 semesters each of 2 of the 3 languages (totaling 4 semesters).
- Greek 103, 104, 305, 306
- Latin 103, 104, 203, 204
- Hebrew Bible 103, 104, 323, 324
- Literature and Culture – 15 total credits, including 9 credits numbered 300 and above. Note: no more than 2 courses from the same department outside Classics may be applied toward this requirement.
- All Classics courses
- Up to 6 credits of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew Bible beyond the level used to satisfy the language requirement
- Art History 115, 201, 301, 302, 303, 405, 505
- History 112, 208, 303, 307
- History of Science 322
- Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) 203, 205
- Philosophy 430, 454
- Political Science 265
- Seminar – Undergraduate seminar, normally taken senior year.
- Classics 591
The Classical Studies certificate allows students to explore the literature, civilization, and culture of the ancient world. It is especially ideal for students drawn to Greek, Roman or Ancient Near Eastern society but less interested in language study.
Both the flexibility and variety are additional features that make the certificate attractive to students. Course options include topics in art, architecture, archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, and politics. Students are free to explore their individual interests on the way to developing a more comprehensive understanding of the ancient world.
Finally, in addition to completing requirements for the certificate, many of the courses fulfill UW-Madison’s general education requirements, such as Comm-B, and Breadth requirements, such as Humanities and Literature.
Requirements
- 18 credits in Classics and related fields, at least 12 of which must be numbered 300 and above
- All Classics courses
- Art History 115, 201, 301, 302, 303, 405, 505
- History 112, 208, 303, 307
- History of Science 322
- Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) 203, 205
- Philosophy 430, 454
- Political Science 265
Student Orgs
Classics Society
The Classics Society is a registered student organization (RSO) at UW-Madison which invites undergraduates to grow together in appreciation of the classical world, and offers a wide range of opportunities for them to share their knowledge with others. We meet up for film nights, quizzes, trips to galleries, volunteer opportunities, Mediterranean feasts, visiting speakers, and much, much more! Whether you’re just getting interested in the ancient world, or you’re a seasoned expert, all are more than welcome to join.
Learn more at the Classics Society Facebook page!
AnthroCircle
AnthroCircle is a registered student organization (RSO) at UW-Madison that aims to promote anthropology as an inclusive and critical four field discipline of archaeology, cultural, biological, and lingustic anthropology. We hold weekly study groups, one-time events such as World Anthropology Day, public lectures, field trips, round-table discussions, and socials, as well as ongoing programs such as the Craft Series and the Neil Whitehead Colloquium Series. Anyone interested in anthropology is welcome to join, regardless of experience!
Learn more at the AnthroCircle website and AnthroCircle Facebook page!
Scholarships
In addition to routinely nominating or recommending exemplary undergraduate majors for national, regional, local and university awards, the department offers the following competitions annually:
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Ruth M. Kuhlman Undergraduate Scholarship
Established in 1998 with a bequest from Myron George Kuhlman in memory of his wife, Ruth Miller Kuhlman (BS in Education ’32), this is a monetary award for undergraduates to benefit and advance their studies within the field of Classics. Total amount of award may be up to $2500 and the award may not be granted every academic year depending on quality of entries and availability of funds. This competition is only open to Classics, Classical Humanities, and Latin majors. Generally, the application is open in early November with a deadline for submission in early February.
Gertrude E. Slaughter Summer Study Scholarship
A monetary award in memory of Gertrude E. Slaughter, author and widow of Professor Moses S. Slaughter 1896-1923, for undergraduate students to advance their studies at an accredited center such as the American School in Athens or the American Academy in Rome, or to participate in an active archaeological field project. Awards will be in the amount of up to $800. This competition is only open to Classics, Classical Humanities, and Latin majors. Generally, the application is open in early November with a deadline for submission in early February.
Logan Prize for Greek Translation
A monetary award in memory of Fellow of Classics, John Watson Logan (Ph.D. ’23), for the translation of a passage of ancient Greek. The passage will be selected each year by the chair of the Prize Committee and awards may not be granted every academic year depending on quality of entries. This competition is open to all undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of ancient Greek and is normally publicized in classes and to department majors in early April.
Pillinger Prize for Latin Translation
A monetary award in memory of Assistant Professor Hugh Edward Pillinger (1965-1970) for the translation of a passage in Latin. The passage will be selected each year by the chair of the Prize Committee and awards may not be granted every academic year depending on quality of entries. This competition is open to all undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of Latin and is normally publicized in classes and to department majors in early April.
For even more scholarships from UW-Madison, see the Undergraduate Academic Awards page!
Student Resources
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
UW Admissions Information
Useful Links
Campus Resources
- Academic Resources
- Academic Resources
- L&S Academic Deans’ Services
- American Indian Studies
- Center for Academic Excellence (CAE)
- Center for Educational Opportunity (CeO)
- Center for Jewish Studies
- Center for Pre-Health Advising
- Center for Pre-Law Advising
- Dean of Students Office
- Language Institute
- Religious Studies Program
- Community and Inclusivity Resources
- Education and Career Opportunities
- Health Services