The field of Classics is the original interdisciplinary university field of study, illuminating the foundations of Western experience through the study of language, literature, religion, philosophy, art, archaeology and other subjects.  Modern Classics programs continue to focus on the ancient Mediterranean world, particularly Greek and Roman culture, but also encompass the study of non-Western cultures and post-Greco-Roman societies.   The broad scope and intellectual rigor of the Classics and Ancient Studies major and minor options help students to understand the contemporary world and to prepare for a wide range of careers.

The Classical and Ancient Studies program provides several options for the study of history, literature, art, culture, and language of the Ancient Mediterranean world. Students can major in English and complete the track in Classical, Medieval, and Early Modern Literature, major in History with a concentration in Antiquity and Medieval history, or pursue a minor in Classics in conjunction with either of the degrees above or with any other degree program in the college.

Classical, Medieval, and Early Modern Literature Track in the English Department

Students wishing to focus on ancient literatures in translation can pursue a degree in English with an emphasis in Classical, Medieval, and Early Modern Literature. This track involves a core of three survey courses to give students grounding in each of the three periods. Students also take one elective from each time period that allows them to study each period in more depth, a course such as 'Shakespeare In Film', 'The Ancient World in Film', or 'Arthurian Legends' that allows them to study how these literatures have been received in modern society; a course such as 'History of English', 'Old English', 'Ancient Greek', 'Classical Latin', or the 'History and Principles of Rhetoric' that allows students to understand the linguistic backgrounds of these literatures. Students complete the degree with three electives that can be taken in the English department or many other departments in the college including Classics, History, Art History, Philosophy, and Geosciences.  For more information, see the relevant catalog section for the English Department.

Antiquity and Medieval History Concentration in the History Department

Students who are interested in ancient and medieval history can pursue a concentration in Antiquity and Medieval history as part of a history major.  The history major includes two foundation courses that survey world history, four courses in the Classics area of concentration, four courses in areas outside the area of concentration, and a two-semester final research sequence: History 301 WI “Historiography and Method,” and History 498 WI “Senior Capstone Seminar.”  For the Antiquity and Medieval history concentration, students take four courses in Ancient or Medieval History. Two of these courses can be taken in departments other than history including Classics, English, Art History, Philosophy, and Geosciences.  For more information, see the relevant catalog section for the History Department.

Minor in Classical and Ancient Studies

Students can also pursue a minor in Classics in conjunction with either of the degrees above or with any other degree program in the college. The minor is an 18 hour program that allows students the flexibility to pursue their individual interests in the ancient world. To complete the minor students take 18 hours of credit selected from any of the courses in the college about the ancient world. Nine of these hours must be at or above the 300 level.  For students choosing to pursue both the minor and one of the two majors above, six credit hours can be counted towards both the major and the minor.