Will the Classics Department survive?
Gregory Royal Pratt
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: News
But they still expect to have a reasonable amount of students in those courses. "We've more than doubled our enrollment in Ancient Greek 101 this fall. The minimum enrollment required at the 100-200 level is eight students. Courses that have fewer than eight students have to be canceled. We have nearly twice the minimum of eight in Greek 101 this fall, and we hope we can persuade the College to permit the teaching of Ancient Greek to continue at UIC based upon demonstrated increased student demand."
To some, the focus on a dead language might seem strange. Why is it so important to the department?
"Ancient Greek is an integral part of our discipline," explains Dr. Ramsey. "To forbid a Classics department to teach Ancient Greek is equivalent to forbidding a French department to teach French. The dept. is in the process of developing a modern Greek studies program. The Greek-American community in Chicago has given UIC over a million dollars toward this effort, and the hope and expectation is that a senior hire will be made in the field of modern Greek studies in the near future. We have long offered courses in the modern Greek language and culture as well as ancient Greek. The two languages are very closely related. To offer a viable modern Greek studies program, it is essential to include Ancient Greek in the curriculum."
Dr. Ramsey goes so far as to say that "if the department is not allowed to develop its new program and find a compromise so that Ancient Greek can continue to be offered, then Classics as we know it at UIC will disappear. There will be something in place, but it won't be a robust classics department."
Dr. Ramsey believes that Classics are critical to our institution.
"UIC is the major public institution of higher learning in the city of Chicago, and we pride ourselves on diversity and accessibility. Right now, I think we offer one of the best educations that can be provided. It will be a severe blow to the students we serve if UIC cannot continue to offer the full range of courses and disciplines." Adds Dr. Ramsey: "[I]f it's no longer possible to study Ancient Greek or advanced classes in Latin at UIC, then students will have to be able to afford to attend UIUC or come up with the funds for a costly private education. The University of Chicago has a fine program in Classics, but our corresponding undergraduate program is in many ways just as competitive and much more affordable. It won't be if ancient Greek is abolished."
To some, the focus on a dead language might seem strange. Why is it so important to the department?
"Ancient Greek is an integral part of our discipline," explains Dr. Ramsey. "To forbid a Classics department to teach Ancient Greek is equivalent to forbidding a French department to teach French. The dept. is in the process of developing a modern Greek studies program. The Greek-American community in Chicago has given UIC over a million dollars toward this effort, and the hope and expectation is that a senior hire will be made in the field of modern Greek studies in the near future. We have long offered courses in the modern Greek language and culture as well as ancient Greek. The two languages are very closely related. To offer a viable modern Greek studies program, it is essential to include Ancient Greek in the curriculum."
Dr. Ramsey goes so far as to say that "if the department is not allowed to develop its new program and find a compromise so that Ancient Greek can continue to be offered, then Classics as we know it at UIC will disappear. There will be something in place, but it won't be a robust classics department."
Dr. Ramsey believes that Classics are critical to our institution.
"UIC is the major public institution of higher learning in the city of Chicago, and we pride ourselves on diversity and accessibility. Right now, I think we offer one of the best educations that can be provided. It will be a severe blow to the students we serve if UIC cannot continue to offer the full range of courses and disciplines." Adds Dr. Ramsey: "[I]f it's no longer possible to study Ancient Greek or advanced classes in Latin at UIC, then students will have to be able to afford to attend UIUC or come up with the funds for a costly private education. The University of Chicago has a fine program in Classics, but our corresponding undergraduate program is in many ways just as competitive and much more affordable. It won't be if ancient Greek is abolished."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 10
John Goes
posted 11/02/09 @ 4:08 AM CST
An elegant solution: replace the silly multicultural requirement with a classics requirement.
Paul Fleck
Paul Fleck
posted 11/03/09 @ 4:44 PM CST
The problem here is that the dean first made the excuse that his cut was the result of a bad economy, but then other departments and facilities are being expanded. (Continued…)
Najee Olya
posted 11/04/09 @ 3:33 PM CST
One would think that, out of all the fields of study offered by the university, the one which focuses on the people(s) and civilizations whose ideas form the basis of many of those belonging to Western Civilization itself (which we currently are a part of, for anyone who might have forgotten) would be among the last to be targeted in such a fashion. (Continued…)
Briana Jackson
posted 11/05/09 @ 6:01 PM CST
I find the threat of diminishing any part of the Classics Department to be extremely disturbing. I have nothing further to add to the previous comments accept perhaps some statements of my personal feelings about the department itself, which are very, very strong. (Continued…)
Rosa Scodellaro
posted 11/05/09 @ 11:35 PM CST
I cannot believe that this is even a debate. The Classics are the basis of western thought! The Classics should be taught to college students first and foremost. (Continued…)
Arthur Shippee
posted 11/06/09 @ 7:56 PM CST
While I'd rather have the department supported, I can certainly understand the pressure. Classics &c. may be some sort of foundation, but there's not a lot of support in the culture for the time to learn Greek or Latin well enough to read them in the originals, given the number of translations. (Continued…)
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