Classics

BAAS Course Block in Classics

About the Classics course block

The history and culture of ancient civilizations created systems and artifacts with a lasting impact on the society we know today. In the Classics course block, discover the classical world and develop an understanding of ancient cultures through historical and contemporary lenses. Research and interpret a range of historical, literary, and cultural sources, and apply classical studies to gain critical insights into the current world.

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree courses in the Classics course block are offered on an accelerated (8-week) schedule. Courses in the block are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors.

All Penn LPS Online courses offer academic credit.*

*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.

The Classics course block prepares you to:

  • Understand the diverse history of culture from ancient societies to the present
  • Interpret literary and historical texts and sources from the perspectives of gender, religion, politics, and economics
  • Understand how ancient history, texts, and artifacts inform contemporary cultures, politics, and societies
  • Explore the nature of myth and the roles it plays for individuals, societies, and nations
  • Research and write about complex topics, combining perspectives from disciplines including history, politics, literary studies, and religious studies

Courses

*This course may not be offered every academic year. Check the course page or our course guide to see when upcoming terms are added.

Courses are subject to change.

Meet the Faculty

Peter Struck, Professor and Chair of Classical Studies
  • Professor and Chair of Classical Studies
Mantha Zarmakoupi
  • Morris Russell and Josephine Chidsey Williams Assistant Professor in Roman Architecture