University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Department of Classics | University of Illinois Archives
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The Department of the Latin Language and Literature and the Department of Greek Language and Literature became a part of the initial curriculum (1868) of the university.--1 In 1871, they were consolidated into the School of Ancient Languages and Literature within the College of Literature and Science.--2 In 1885, the university shortened the name of the school to the School of Ancient Languages and in 1891 placed it in the new College of Literature.--3 In 1893, the Department of Greek and the Department of Latin succeeded the School of Ancient Languages in the College of Literature (the College of Literature and Arts after 1894).--4 In 1905, the Board of Trustees, acting on the recommendation of the president, created the Department of Classics and authorized the naming of a head.--5 In 1913, the department became a part of the newly established College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.--6 Within this college it has been a part of the Division of Language and Literature from 1935 to 1945 and the Division of Humanities since 1945.--7 The department has added three areas of concentration to those of Greek and Latin. These are Classical Civilization (1965), Hebrew (1970) and Classical Archeology (1971).--8 The department offers degree programs through the Ph.D. level.
1. Circular and Catalog, 1868-69, p. 10.
2. Catalog and Circular, 1871-72, p. 25.
3. Catalog and Circular, 1885-86, p. 76; Catalog and Circular, 1891-92, p. 111.
4. Catalog and Circular, 1893-94, p. 72-73; Catalog and Circular, 1894-95, p. 23.
5. Board of Trustees Transactions, 23rd Report, June 2, 1905, p. 75.
6. Board of Trustees Transactions, 27th Report, July 5, 1912, p. 71; Annual Register, 1913-14, p. 155.
7. Board of Trustees Transactions, 38th Report, April 20, 1935, p. 162-63; Annual Register, 1945-46, p. 137.
8. Undergraduate Course Catalog, 1965-66, p. 55; Undergraduate Course Catalog, 1970-71, p. 72; Undergraduate Course Catalog, 1971-72, p. 77.