Major Code BA1932

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors

Ruth Palmer, director of studies/contact person
palmerr@ohio.edu
 

Program Overview

The tutorial program in classics is designed to give highly motivated students a deeper experience of the languages and material culture that comprise Greek and Roman antiquity. In studying the different aspects of the classical world students develop effective research and writing skills and independent thinking. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher in courses required for the program and the Honors Tutorial College.

The HTC program in classics has two distinct areas of concentration: classical civilization, and classical languages and literature, both of which share core tutorial and nontutorial courses in Greek, Latin, archaeology, civilization and humanities, and ancient history. For each area of concentration, students will complete eight tutorial courses, as well as 11 or 12 regular courses in ancient languages, civilization, archaeology and ancient history, and two courses of Colloquium in Classics and World Religions. The civilization and language tutorials in the first three years are tied to the regular classics courses offered each semester. Each tutorial course is 4 credits, comprised of regular course meetings plus an additional hour tutorial with the course instructor. In the first four semesters, tutorials for all students focus on civilization, archaeology and/or ancient history; then in the third year students take language tutorials.

The object of the weekly tutorials is (1) to enrich the student’s understanding of the topics and issues raised in the regular course and (2) to focus attention on areas of particular interest to the student. The faculty tutor and student together devise a set of topics connected with the courses and establish the criteria for evaluation of the tutorial course: exams, assignments, presentations required in the regular class plus projects assigned for the tutorial. The tutor will set readings and activities for the tutorial to be prepared by the student in advance of each tutorial meeting. A tutorial typically involves a series of short papers and a final project; this affords the student the opportunity to report on his/her findings and, where possible, to develop informed original theses. At the end of the first and third years, each student will compile a portfolio with samples of work from different tutorial and regular courses, to track the academic and personal progress of the student. All HTC students must fulfill the Tier I Freshman and Junior Composition requirements, or show proof of excellence in writing to waive it.

By the beginning of the fourth year, each student will develop a prospectus for a thesis topic, under the supervision of a Classics faculty member and over two semester tutorials will carry out research, write and revise the senior thesis and submit it before the end of spring semester. The completed thesis should be at least 10,000 words, and will be evaluated by the thesis advisor and another member from the department.

Students who choose classical civilization will complete four tutorials and seven regular courses in civilization, archaeology, and ancient history. They will also study either Greek or Latin through the 2000-level and complete two tutorials in the chosen language at the 3000-level or above, in order to understand the ancient world through its languages as well as material culture.

Students who choose classical languages and literature will study both Greek and Latin through the 2000-level and complete by the third year two language tutorials, and one regular upper level course in either Greek or Latin by the third or fourth year. Previous knowledge of Latin or Greek is not required. Students who qualify can take a language tutorial in place of GK/LAT 2120. Students also will take three or four tutorials and three regular courses in classical civilization, archaeology, and history to better understand these societies through their material culture.

Admission Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Applicants should be in the upper 10 percent of their high school class and should have at least a 1300 combined SAT score or 30 ACT composite. (This requirement may be modified in unusual circumstances.) Two recommendations from teachers are required to be submitted with the application. Students applying for the Honors Tutorial College must submit materials by December 1, and then interview for admission in early January.

Change of Program Policy

Transfer opportunities are limited. Students are admitted only as freshmen. Current freshmen at Ohio University must apply by December 1st. They are urged to contact the HTC office for guidance.

External Transfer Admission

Freshmen from other institutions must apply by December 1st and are urged to contact the HTC Office for guidance.
 

Opportunities Upon Graduation

The qualities of research, critical thinking, synthesis and effective writing developed in our program are applicable to many careers besides graduate programs in classics. Graduates from our classics HTC program have gone on to graduate programs in classical languages and archeology, theology, rhetoric, education and law school. Several have served in Teach for America before starting graduate school.
 

Requirements