CLASSICS

Course Offerings
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Ancient Studies Minor

The study of classics is the study of the foundations of Western Civilization. We can apprehend the past, and thus the present, only to the extent that we are familiar with the civilizations of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The works of these civilizations offer limitless opportunities for the exploration and understanding of the human condition and, thus, are the basis for a liberal education. They provide an enduring value and utility that has shaped not only the past and the present but will shape the future as well.

Classics is at its essence an inter-disciplinary study, which encompasses Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, Comparative Literature, Language, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. In addition to the fundamental perspective of learning for its own sake, the study of Classics has a variety of practical applications. Students who study Classics establish solid fundamentals for further study in Classics (of course) and other fields of ancient studies, law, literature, medicine, museum studies, and seminary, among others. Skills gained via study of Classical languages are also highly desirable in the business world, such as abstract and critical thinking along with well-developed communication skills (e.g., via the study of language and translation).