Department of Religion and Classics

Programs of Study in the Department of Religion and Classics

Religion Classics Arabic

Requirements for a Concentration in Religion

The goal of a concentration in religion is to achieve an understanding of the nature of diverse religions, the methods employed in their study, and a measure of competence with a specific tradition or area. Seminars, reading courses, study abroad options, and the senior tutorial allow intensive study of particular topics. Students also may enroll in selected courses at Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary and take advantage of its distinguished theological library.

A minimum of 10 courses is required:

1. Either REL 101 or 102.
2. One course in the history of a tradition, either REL 103, 104, 105, 106, or 107.
3. REL 293, normally taken in the junior year.
4. Six other courses, no more than three of which may focus on the same religious tradition.
5. Senior Seminar (REL 389) or Senior Tutorial (REL 393).

A concentration in religion may typically include no more than three courses numbered below 110.

 

Honors in Religion

Students may earn their degree in Religion with honors. This program is open only to students who have compiled a superior academic record, who by virtue of their previous coursework are prepared to pursue an advanced research project, and who are capable of independent work of high quality. The honors sequence culminates in the successful completion and defense of a senior thesis. Typically, students undertake the senior thesis for honors after completing an independent study as preparation in a previous semester.

The following examples should help to distinguish between an independent study or senior project in religion and the senior project, taken as part of an honors sequence, in terms of their increasing specificity or depth:

  • REL 391. Independent Study: "Islamic Mysticism & the Arts;" "Readings in Liberation Theology;" "Sephardic Judaism."
  • REL 393. Senior Project: "The Poetry of Rumi;" "Catholics on A.I.D.S.;" "Iranian Jewry."
  • REL 392. Honors Research + REL. 393. Senior Project: "Rumi's Concept of Hell;" "Pavlo Frere & the Literacy of Liberation;" "Iranian Jewry in New York."

Criteria for Honors in Religion
  1. An overall GPA of at least 3 (B).
  2. A departmental GPA of at least 3.4 (B+).
  3. Eight Credits of honors course work with a grade of at least B+ selected from the following honors courses: REL 293 (Theories of Religion), REL 390 (Supervised Teaching), REL 391 (Independent Study), REL 392 (Honors Research).
  4. Completion of either REL 391 or 392 with at least a B+, normally in the fall semester of the senior year.
  5. Completion of REL 393 (Senior Project).
  6. A successful oral defense of the thesis.

Requirements and Deadlines
  1. The student should find a faculty member who is willing to serve as the adviser for REL 391 or 392.
  2. The student should write a brief proposal which describes the thesis project to be undertaken. The student should secure the signature of a thesis adviser, indicating his or her endorsement of the project, and then submit the proposal to the Chair of the Department. The Chair will approve it, disapprove it, or approve it subject to modification, and the Chair will appoint a second reader. The deadline for application is DECEMBER 1 for students who plan to graduate at the end of the following spring semester.
  3. Enroll in REL 393.
  4. The student should arrange a meeting with the second reader to discuss the proposed project.
  5. By the end of the second week of the spring semester, the candidate should have prepared a substantial bibliography and outline of research for the thesis. This should be done in consultation with and approved by the thesis adviser.
  6. The student should complete the thesis under the supervision of both readers. Students are strongly encouraged to provide both readers with drafts of the thesis so that the suggestions of the readers may be taken into account. The final draft should be completed by the end of the twelfth week of classes.
  7. The student will schedule an oral defense with the two readers. This must be held before the end of the reading period at the end of the semester.
  8. The readers will make a recommendation to the Chair as to whether honors should be awarded. The Chair will contact the student prior to graduation to inform the student whether the degree will be awarded with honors. If honors is denied, the student will receive a grade and credit for a Senior Project.
  9. The student should provide each reader and the Department Office with a copy of the final accepted version of the thesis within 48 hours after the defense.

 

Minor in Religion

1. Either REL 101 or 102
2. One course in the history of a religious tradition, either REL 103, 104, 105, 106, or 107.
3. REL 293.
4. Three other courses in religion, selected in consultation with the student's advisor in the Department.

 

Senior Project in Religion

1. REL 393: Senior Project

A requirement of the major concentration in Religion is the successful completion of either REL 389: Senior Seminar, or REL 393: Senior Project. This latter course is intended to be the culmination of the student's undergraduate work in religion. In it the student designs a research proposal, assembles a bibliography of the relevant literature; reads, thinks, consults with a faculty adviser, and writes a paper, the senior thesis. This course thus provides an opportunity to pursue independent research on a topic of one's own choosing, and to develop and defend answers to questions of interest to the student. Ideally, the work in this course will draw on a well-designed concentration in religion; in other words, previous coursework should prepare the student for this course. It should be noted that one of the primary motivations for choosing the project is that it makes it possible for students to conduct advanced or specialized work, in close consultation with a faculty member.

2. Expectations The senior thesis is not an honors thesis; it is rather an assignment required of all concentrators in religion who do not take REL 389. It may be helpful to think of REL 393 as an independent study (like REL 391) for which a paper is written; the main difference between REL 391 and REL 393 is that the latter presupposes a greater preparation in previous coursework and requires the preparation of a single paper. The following examples should help to distinguish between the two courses in terms of their increasing specificity or depth:

 

  • REL 391: Independent Study: "Islamic Mysticism & the Arts;" "Readings in Liberation Theology;" "Health & Medicine in India;" "Sephardic Judaism"
  • REL 393: Senior Project: "The Poetry of Rumi;" "Catholics on A.I.D.s;" "Ayurveda Medicine within Hinduism;" "Iranian Jewry"

The senior thesis will be graded by the student's adviser according to the same standards of excellence that apply in other courses offered by the Department. There is no requirement concerning the length of the senior thesis; some have been as short as fifteen or twenty pages, and some have been considerably longer.

3. The Two-semester Option

A student may elect to devote two semesters to the research and writing of the senior thesis. In this case, the student should register for REL 392, Honors Research, in the fall of the senior year and REL 393 in the spring semester. Since the two-semester option is an elective, students who choose to register for REL 393 without first taking REL 392 are not to be penalized.

4. Schedule and Mechanics

(a) Find a faculty member who is willing to serve as the adviser of your senior thesis.

(b) By December 15 of your senior year, prepare a brief, written, preliminary proposal of your thesis project, and secure the permission of your adviser to proceed with the project. It is to be expected that this proposal will be revised as work on the thesis proceeds. The reason for requiring this initial proposal is simply to ensure that a topic has been chosen and that a faculty member has agreed to serve as adviser prior to the beginning of the spring semester.

(c) By the end of the second week of the spring semester, prepare a bibliography for your project and a revised version of your proposal. Developing the bibliography and the proposal ought to be done in consultation with your adviser.

(d) Your adviser may set other deadlines throughout the semester for a more developed proposal, expanded bibliography, outline, first draft, etc.

(e) By the Friday preceding the last day of classes, submit two copies of your completed thesis to your adviser. (The second copy is for the Department Library.) The thesis should, of course, be typed and you should follow the conventions of a standard manual of style.

Requirements for a Concentration in Classics

The concentration in classics is language-centered. Course work in Greek and Latin is supplemented by studies in ancient literature, religion, philosophy, history, and art. The goal of the concentration is to be able to analyze and interpret significant texts in the ancient languages and to understand their cultural context. Students may chose a concentration in classics (both languages), or in Greek or Latin alone; all majors, however, are encouraged to take at least one year of each language, if possible.

Classics

A minimum of 11 courses is required, including:

1. At least six courses in the major language numbered 103 or above.
2. A course focusing on the history of the ancient world, e.g, CLA 102, CLA 210.
3. A course focusing on the philosophical writings of the ancient world, e.g., CLA 142, CLA 202.
4. A course surveying the literature and/or mythology of the ancient world, e.g, CLA 135, CLA 140.

A senior project is required, demonstrating the student's ability to meaningfully interpret an ancient text or texts, read in the original language; it may be completed as part of a senior thesis or in connection with requirements for any other classics course.

Honors in Classics

Students may earn their degree in Classics with honors. This program is open only to students who have compiled a superior academic record, who by virtue of their previous coursework are prepared to pursue an advanced research project, and who are capable of independent work of high quality. The honors sequence culminates in the successful completion and defense of a senior thesis. Typically, students undertake the senior thesis for honors after completing an independent study as preparation in a previous semester.

The following examples should help to distinguish between an independent study or senior project in classics and the senior project, taken as part of an honors sequence, in terms of their increasing specificity or depth:

  • CLA 391. Independent Study: "Readings in Plato;" "Latin Lyric Poetry."
  • CLA 393. Senior Project: "Plato on Poetry;" "Homer, the Oral Poet."
  • CLA 392. Honors Research
  • CLA. 393. Senior Project: "Poetry and Philosophy in Plato's Symposium;" "Stoicism in the Poetry of Catullus."
Criteria for Honors in Classics
  1. An overall GPA of at least 3 (B).
  2. A departmental GPA of at least 3.4 (B+).
  3. A language GPA of at least 3.4 (B+) in the primary language (Latin or Greek) in courses beyond the introductory sequence (101-102).
  4. Eight credits of honors course work with a grade of at least B+ >>selected from the following honors courses: REL 293 (Theories of >>Religion), CLA 389 (Junior/Senior Seminar), CLA 390 (Supervised Teaching), >>CLA 391 (Independent Study), CLA 392 (Honors Research).
  5. Completion of CLA 389, 391, or 392 with at least a B+, if possible prior to second semester of the senior year.
  6. Completion of CLA 393 (Senior Project).
  7. A successful oral defense of the thesis.
Requirements and Deadlines
  1. The student should find a faculty member who is willing to serve as the adviser for CLA 391 or 392.
  2. The student should write a brief proposal which describes the thesis project to be undertaken. The student should secure the signature of a thesis adviser, indicating his or her endorsement of the project, and then submit the proposal to the Chair of the Department. The Chair will approve it, disapprove it, or approve it subject to modification, and the Chair will appoint a second reader. The deadline for application is DECEMBER 1 for students who plan to graduate at the end of the following spring semester.
  3. Enroll in CLA 393.
  4. The student should arrange a meeting with the second reader to discuss the proposed project.
  5. By the end of the second week of the spring semester, the candidate should have prepared a substantial bibliography and outline of research for the thesis. This should be done in consultation with and approved by the thesis adviser.
  6. The student should complete the thesis under the supervision of both readers. Students are strongly encouraged to provide both readers with drafts of the thesis so that the suggestions of the readers may be taken into account. The final draft should be completed by the end of the twelfth week of classes.
  7. The student will schedule an oral defense with the two readers. This must be held before the end of the reading period at the end of the semester.
  8. The readers will make a recommendation to the Chair as to whether honors should be awarded. The Chair will contact the student prior to graduation to inform the student whether the degree will be awarded with honors. If honors is denied, the student will receive a grade and credit for a Senior Project.
  9. The student should provide each reader and the Department Office with a copy of the final accepted version of the thesis within 48 hours after the defense.

Minor in Classical Civilization

1. A course focusing on the history of the ancient world, e.g., CLA 102, CLA 210.
2. A course surveying the literature and/or mythology of the ancient world, e.g., CLA 135, CLA 140.
3. Four additional courses, which may include language courses as well as courses in translation; 101 and 102 courses in the languages may count.

 

Minor In Latin

1. 6 courses in Latin; may include 101 and 102.

 

Minor In Greek

1. 6 courses in Greek; may include 101 and 102

 

Senior Project in Classics

1. CLA 393: Senior Project

A requirement of honors in Classics is the successful completion of CLA 393: Senior Project. This course is intended to be the culmination of the student's undergraduate work in classics. In it the student designs a research proposal, assembles a bibliography of the relevant literature; reads, thinks, consults with a faculty adviser, and writes a paper, the senior thesis. This course thus provides an opportunity to pursue independent research on a topic of one's own choosing, and to develop and defend answers to questions of interest to the student. Ideally, the work in this course will draw on a well-designed concentration in classics; in other words, previous coursework should prepare the student for this course. It should be noted that one of the primary motivations for choosing the project is that it makes it possible for students to conduct advanced or specialized work, in close consultation with a faculty member.

2. Expectations

The senior thesis is not an honors thesis; it is rather an assignment required of all concentrators in Classics. It may be helpful to think of CLA 393 as an independent study (like CLA 391) for which a paper is written; the main difference between CLA 391 and CLA 393 is that the latter presupposes a greater preparation in previous coursework and requires the preparation of a single paper. The following examples should help to distinguish between the two courses in terms of their increasing specificity:

  • CLA 391: Independent Study: "Reading in Plato"
  • CLA 393: Senior Project: "Plato on Poetry"

The senior thesis will be graded by the student's adviser according to the same standards of excellence that apply in other courses offered by the Department. There is no requirement concerning the length of the senior thesis; some have been as short as fifteen or twenty pages, and some have been considerably longer.

3. The Two-semester Option

A student may elect to devote two semesters to the research and writing of the senior thesis. In this case, the student should register for CLA 391 in the fall of the senior year and CLA 393 in the spring semester. Since the two-semester option is an elective, students who choose to register for CLA 393 without first taking CLA 391 are not to be penalized.

4. Schedule and Mechanics

(a) Find a faculty member who is willing to serve as the adviser of your senior thesis.

(b) By December 15 of your senior year, prepare a brief, written, preliminary proposal of your thesis project, and secure the permission of your adviser to proceed with the project. It is to be expected that this proposal will be revised as work on the thesis proceeds. The reason for requiring this initial proposal is simply to ensure that a topic has been chosen and that a faculty member has agreed to serve as adviser prior to the beginning of the spring semester.

(c) By the end of the second week of the spring semester, prepare a bibliography for your project and a revised version of your proposal. Developing the bibliography and the proposal ought to be done in consultation with your adviser.

(d) Your adviser may set other deadlines throughout the semester for a more developed proposal, expanded bibliography, outline, first draft, etc.

(e) By the Friday preceding the last day of classes, submit two copies of your completed thesis to your adviser. (The second copy is for the Department Library.) The thesis should, of course, be typed and you should follow the conventions of a standard manual of style.

 

Minor in Arabic

1. ARA 101 and 102, or the equivalent
2. Four courses of close textual analysis and interpretation, chosen from a wide range of Arabic texts, and read in the original language.