Latin & Classics

Why Study Latin & Classics?

Classics is the study of the civilizations which flourished in and around the ancient Mediterranean Sea - a world characterized by extraordinary ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural variety. To study Classics is to engage with the rich variety of the remains of these ancient civilizations: myths and languages, art and literature, philosophy and science, music and theater, law and politics. Moreover, through the study of Latin and/or ancient Greek, Classics students develop linguistic and analytical skills which serve them well in a variety of future work contexts. The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers a variety of courses in this field, including elementary, intermediate, and upper courses of Latin; Classical Mythology; Medical Terminology; other courses, such as Classical and Koine Greek, when there is sufficient student interest. It is one of the most varied and interdisciplinary of all subjects and can include language, literature, history, philosophy, art, and archaeology. Studying the classics is necessary to understand Western civilization. Classics students acquire a wide range of theoretical and methodological strategies. Through the study of classics, students develop linguistic and analytical skills which serve them well in a variety of future professional contexts. Students who study classics have a better success rate getting into medical school, have the highest success rates of any majors in law school, and have some of the highest scores on the GRE of all undergraduates.