Maybe interested in Classics? Or What the Hell Is Classics Anyway?

So, I know a number of you guys are undecided freshmen/sophomores. No pressure, I promise. But in case you think any of this is kind of interesting, here are a few things to think about...

I came in undecided as well. 115 was actually the first Classics course I took on campus during my first semester as a freshman. I liked it so, I tried 116 and 114 but didn't intend on becoming a minor or major until one of my TAs suggested I try the languages (Ancient Greek and Latin). I think one of the most important reasons to learn these languages is that if we don't learn them as well as our current professors (or better) these two languages will eventually be lost to us. I don't consider myself a history buff, but I think preserving ancient cultures is a really big deal both as a Classicist and Anthropologist. If you have any questions, feel free to talk to me.

So I'm hoping some of you will enjoy this class and consider taking others. I've given you a couple of ideas to consider below.

1. Intro level classes on similar topics:
Both of these are pretty good courses on ancient history, drama, and culture in general (they also count as gen-eds)
CLCV 114 - Ancient Greek Culture
CLCV 116 - The Roman Achievement
ANTH 102 - Intro to Archaeology & Biological Anthropology (great professors & good intro to practical applications of archaeology)
Art History 131/132 - Art History of Ancient Greece & Rome (Difficult classes, but extremely worthwhile)
Anth 105 - World Archaeology
Anth 180 - The Archaeology of Death (Not what it sounds like. You look at how people are buried in relation to things like what that means for their social status when they were alive, what things are important for the "afterlife" for that time period, etc.)


Mid-level classes:
Anth 220 - Intro to Archaeology (More serious version of Anth 102)

ARTH 215 - Greek Art

Upper level classes:
CLCV 363 - Intro to Oral Traditions
Anth 314 - Intro to Museum Studies
Anth 456 - Human Osteology (Human Bone Structure)

CLCV 443 - The Archaeology of Greece

CLCV 444 - The archaeology of Rome

The Illinois Classics Department Website:
http://classics.uiuc.edu

Major Information for Classics Majors:

http://courses.illinois.edu/cis/2008/fall/programs/undergrad/las/classics.html