Bachelor of Arts in Classics

Classics are the study of the world of ancient Greece and Rome: the language and literature; ancient history and mythology; archaeology and philosophy of the classical world. Classics students are trained in the ancient languages of Greek and Latin, and they read the great works of classical literature in the original (without the need for translations): the epic poetry of Homer and Virgil; the histories of Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, and Tacitus; the rich tradition of lyric and elegiac poetry; tragedy and comedy; the vast output of Cicero and other great men of politics and government; and the philosophy of Plato and Lucretius.With sound training and skills in critical reasoning and rigorous analysis, Classics majors are well prepared for a variety of career and lifetime pursuits. Many Classics students are admitted to graduate programs in various disciplines, as well as into pre-professional schools of law and medicine. All students of Classics are strongly urged to study both Greek and Latin through the advanced level. Courses in English translation provide comprehensive study of ancient civilizations, literature, history, and archaeology, as well as more specialized study of suitable preparation for graduate work in Classics and many other disciplines.