/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2025-2026/Undergraduate-Announcements-local.json

/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2025-2026/Undergraduate-Announcements.json

Undergraduate Announcements > College of Arts and Sciences > Divisions, Departments, and Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences > Division of Humanities > Content Section

Content Section

Professor	Edward M. Cook
Professor Emeritus	Rev. Sidney H. Griffith, S.T.; William E. Klingshirn, Margaret H. Gardiner Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity; Frank A. C. Mantello
Associate Professors	Aaron M. Butts, Mellon Chair of Early Christian Studies; Sarah Brown Ferrario, Chair; Andrew D. Gross; William J. McCarthy,
Assistant Professor	Fabio Pagani, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Adjunct Associate Professor	Janet A. Timbie
Adjunct Assistant Professor	Sr. Maria Kiely, O.S.B.
Senior Lecturer	Shawqi Talia
Lecturer	Monica J. Blanchard
Research Associate	Msgr. Andrew R. Wadsworth, Ph.D.

The Department of Ancient and Medieval Languages and Cultures explores the study of biblical and Christian Near Eastern languages and literatures; ancient Greece and Rome within the context of the ancient Mediterranean; and medieval European literature and history.  Students who are interested in the broader reception of the ancient and medieval world are encouraged to take the many departmental courses that do not require any knowledge of either Greek or Latin. These non-language courses, many of which are listed under “Classics” (CLAS), use translations of writings and documents to study literature, mythology, history, arts, and culture.

The highly flexible major in Classical Studies (used by all students entering in Fall 2022 and later) provides excellent preparation for professional careers in many fields, but with appropriate choices of content it can also furnish a very strong background for graduate work in this discipline. Students of the Department of Greek and Latin value the habits of firm, critical judgment; precise and articulate expression; and intelligent, responsible reflection that derive from careful and dedicated study of the ancient sources and of their reception in the modern world. 

All majors in the Department of Greek and Latin are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA in all departmental courses and a 2.0 GPA in all other courses. Courses completed with a grade of D, F*, or F do not count towards the major and must be repeated.

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies

The requirements for the major can be found at Classical Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

For all students entering in Fall 2022 and later, and for all continuing students who have opted for it, this major replaces the former programs in Classics, Classical Humanities, and Classical Civilization. It allows students broad flexibility to investigate the ancient world, with the option for focused language study.

Minor Programs

As of Fall 2022, for all new students, these minors replace previous similar programs.

Minor in Ancient Greek Language and Culture

The requirements for the minor can be found at Ancient Greek Language and Culture - Minor

Minor in Latin Language and Roman Culture

The requirements for the minor can be found at Latin Language and Roman Culture - Minor

Minor in Classical Studies

The requirements for the minor can be found at Classical Studies - Minor

Language Certificate Programs

Classical Studies majors seeking a more intensive language focus are eligible to earn an additional credential through the department’s Certificate program. A Certificate contains five advanced-level language courses, and may be earned in Greek, in Latin, or in Greek and Latin. Because only two courses can be double-counted between a Certificate and the undergraduate major, this option requires at least three additional courses beyond the 12-course minimum for the undergraduate degree.

Language Requirement Fulfillment

The language requirement for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences may be fulfilled by satisfactorily completing the intermediate level (103-104) in Greek or Latin. Depending on placement, elementary-level language courses may be required to reach the intermediate level.

Elementary language courses for undergraduate students are numbered 101 and 102 and count as free electives only. The sole exception is that majors in Classical Studies may count GR 101 and GR 102 towards the major if they also complete their CUA language requirement in Latin ( = LAT 101 - LAT 102 - LAT103 - LAT104).

An Arts and Sciences prerequisite for advancement to the 102, 103, and 104 language courses is a minimum grade of C- (C minus) in the previous courses in the sequence.

Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures

Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures are primarily to graduate students. Introductory language courses, however, are open to interested undergraduates and are offered with undergraduate numbers, including Classical Arabic (SEM 241 and SEM 242; 4 credits each), Biblical Hebrew (SEM 311 and SEM 312), Syriac (SEM 331 and SEM 332), and Coptic (SEM 381). Note that these courses are usually year-long sequences, and so, for example, SEM 311 is a prerequisite for SEM 312. Undergraduate students who have completed the introductory language courses may take the more advanced courses that follow in sequence, for which they should consult the Graduate Studies Announcements.

Courses at the 500 and 600 levels are open to qualified undergraduates.

For descriptions of other Semitics courses offered, please consult the department website.