Department: Languages and Literature
Chair: Juergen Pelzer
Program: Classical Studies
Director: Anna Puckett
Date: September 19, 2000

1. Mission of Program
Classics in the 21st century at Occidental College will have to fulfill a multiple mission: First and foremost, to solidify the student's grasp of English grammar in general and of inflected languages in particular, thence to proceed to the mastery of Latin/Greek grammar.

Second, in addition to making our students linguistically adept, we attempt to give them glimpses into many facets of life in antiquity, thus engendering a better understanding of the underpinnings of our Western civilization.

Third, our mission would not be completed without showing the place classical languages hold in the framework of Indo-European languages, with particular emphasis on the kinship between Latin and the Romance languages. This will both aid students in their acquisition of the latter, and awaken curiosity for more involvement with other languages.

Fourth, both Greek and Latin will be presented as tools for students' vocabulary, thus creating a valuable liaison with both the English and the writing programs. Last, by reading and interpreting some of greatest works of Western civilization we aim to awaken in our students a genuine striving for excellence.

2. Goals for fulfilling Core requirements

A. Students will be proficient in English grammar and have an understanding of inflected languages.
B. Students will be helped in the acquisition of the target classical language and at the same time given the tools for acquiring other Indo-European languages.
C. Students will develop reading skills by being exposed to great Greek/Latin authors.
D. Students will become familiar with many aspects of life in Greco-Roman antiquity.
E. Students will gain an understanding of the ongoing influence classical antiquity continues to exert on Western civilization.
F. Students will be readied for successful transfer into well-respected graduate schools.

3. Goals for Majors
No major at present

4. Measuring Effectiveness
Measuring a process as delicate as that of acquiring a non-spoken language is difficult, if not altogether impossible. However one assumes competence:
A. If a first year student successfully completes his work
B. If one then proceeds to tackle the second classical language offered at Oxy
C. If one becomes motivated to study another language as a result of his classical studies
D. If one continues the Classics via independent studies
E. If one is ultimately accepted into a prestigious graduate program in Classics

5. Feedback Mechanism
The department will jointly analyze results of previous years at the start of each academic year. The results will then become part of a departmental report for tracking each other's progress and will be circulated internally.