Syllabus


Course Description: This course is designed as a capstone experience for the Classical Civilization, Greek and Latin majors. Each student will conduct extensive research in their chosen field, present this research in several ways for critique, and compose an extended paper based on research and reaction to this critique. Though inexperienced independent researchers may slip towards procrastination, this course, and its instructor, will attempt to instill good habits and pace the work throughout the semester. The course will also attempt to provide an introduction to the field of Classics and its many research areas and methods. For this we will begin with reading and discussion of one short text, J. Henderson’s Classics: a Very Short Introduction.

Course Requirements: Each student will read and discuss the Henderson book, define and pursue their own topic statement, create an annotated bibliography, thesis statement, presentation, rough draft, outline/table of contents and substantial paper of 20 to 25 well argued, thoroughly documented pages.

Grading:

Statement of Topic:   10% (due September 8)
Annotated Bibliography:   10 % (due September 29)
Thesis Statement:   10 % (due October 6)
Presentation:   10 % (visit to Speech Center required)
Rough Draft:   10 % (due November 17)
Final Paper:   50 % (due December 8)
Each Late Submission:  -3 %

Schedule:

Meeting 1: Introduction and Organization (August 25)
Meeting 2: Read and Discuss Classics: A Very Short Introduction (September 1)
Meeting 3: Topic Due/Library Resources (September 8)
Annotated Bibliography Due (October 6)
[Visit to Speech Center must be scheduled before Fall Break]
Meeting 4: Thesis due/Focussing Topics/Presentation of Topic (October 20)
Draft of Presentation/Rough Outline Due (October 27)
Meeting 5: Presentation to Group (November 3)
Meeting 6: How to Write a Good Thesis (November 10)
Rough Draft of Paper Due (November 17)
Final Draft Due (December 8)
[Spring 2027: presentation of research at Classics Thesis Gala and UR Student Symposium]

N.B. One-on-one meetings will be arranged as needed.

Text: J. Henderson, Classics: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, 2000.

Last Edited: July 15, 2026