Salvete omnes! Χαίρετε πάντες! Welcome!

A course of study in classical antiquity opens up a world of multidisciplinary exploration, diverse cultures, timeless stories, and rich connections to our own lives. In a Classical Studies major or minor, you will encounter the ancients through their myths, literature, art, and artifacts; investigate some of the most important cities and sites in world history; and trace the origins of major religions, philosophies, political systems, and social institutions back to their earliest roots. Engaging with ideas, debates, and challenges of ancient societies offers valuable context and guidance for social concerns that are still with us today.

Housed in the Department of World Languages and Cultures and taught by a collaborative team of faculty from several fields, Classical Studies is a strongly interdisciplinary program with links to diverse areas of study. While the Greco-Roman world forms the core of the curriculum, its scope extends to the influence and afterlife of these civilizations. Courses offered within the program encompass ancient Egypt, the ancient Near East, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and beyond, and cover not only literature, language, mythology, history, and material culture, but Christianity and Judaism, art history, philosophy, political theory, music, theater, neuroscience, and ecology. Our courses apply a wide array of contemporary theoretical perspectives and modes of criticism to interpreting the past and its legacy.

As a multidisciplinary program, Classical Studies provides an excellent complement to other academic and professional focuses; our students have completed a major or minor alongside finance, communications, biology, chemistry, sociology, and exercise science, to name just a few examples. Studying antiquity trains you in skills valuable in any career path or walk of life. Encountering the diverse peoples who inhabited the ancient Mediterranean on their own terms helps develop an appreciation for cultural difference essential in a global society. Close reading of Greek and Roman literature sharpens critical thinking, oral and written communication, and the ability to form arguments based on primary sources. Learning Latin is uniquely helpful for mastering the roots of English vocabulary, and opens the door to learning many modern languages with greater ease, especially those directly descended from Latin.

More information on pursuing a major or minor in Classical Studies can be found on this website under “Major and Minor in Classical Studies,” and you can contact  the program coordinator, Dr. Kristina Meinking, with any questions you may have.