Classics
Undergraduate
Classics combines the study of both ancient Greek and Latin with courses in ancient history, art, philosophy, politics, and religion.
Program Overview
We know you are thinking that Greek and Latin are dead languages. Hardly. English is filled with Latinate words, and Greek is the basis of most scientific terminology. Furthermore, as long as people read Homer, Plato, Greek tragedy, the New Testament, Catullus, Virgil, Ovid, and Tacitus—to mention just some of the greatest hits in Greek and Latin—these ancient languages remain very much alive. So, too, literary genres (such as epic poetry, tragedy, and history), political institutions and ideals (such as democracy and free speech), as well as principles of philosophy and science are all part of the rich legacy that the ancient Greeks and Romans handed down to western Europe.
You do not have to learn Greek and Latin to study classics. We offers courses whose readings are entirely in English as well as those that require the study of an ancient language. You can also find courses related to classics in the departments of art history, history, philosophy, politics, and religion.
The Classics major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.
