The minor in Classical Studies is an excellent foundation for advanced work in other academic disciplines as well as professional programs in law, medicine and management. By presenting a broad selection of courses in the various disciplines of language, literature, philosophy, religious studies and history, the minor provides students with a sound introduction to study of the ancient world. Because of the continuity between ancient and modern cultures, it also gives students an opportunity to develop a keener perception and better understanding of the cultural forces at work in the contemporary world.
Depending on their other undergraduate or career goals, students will have the option of pursuing one or more of three concentrations within the Classical Studies minor: Greek, Latin or Classical Culture. The Concentrations in Greek and Latin focus on intensive study of the ancient languages, with significant additional exposure to Classical literature and culture in translation. The Concentration in Classical Culture offers the option of pursuing more general study of Classical literature and culture mostly or exclusively in translation.
By fulfilling the requirements for the Concentration in Classical Culture students will:
- Acquire a better understanding of the roots of Western culture in the civilizations of Greece and Rome;
- Learn to assess more keenly the cultures of Greece and Rome in their own varied contexts;
- Gain a familiarity with problems of interpretation of texts and the varieties of evidence upon which interpretation may be based;
- Learn the principal themes and issues in the history of Greek and Roman civilizations;
- Acquire a deeper understanding of Greek and Roman artistic and literary cultures;
- Learn accurately to identify principal geographical and demographic features of the ancient world;
- Increase their intellectual breadth and sophistication, and
- Gain insight into the complexities of relationships of the languages, literatures and cultures of Greece and Rome.
Students who elect study of the original language(s) to fulfill the requirements for a Concentration in Greek and/or Latin, while attaining all of the goals above, will also:
- Achieve knowledge of the fundamentals of Greek and/or Latin language, and thereby
- Gain a deeper understanding of the origin of Western tongues and of language itself;
- Acquire the ability to read substantial portions of Greek and Latin authors, and thereby
- Understand and appreciate in their original form some of the most important ideas shaping Western culture.
In many cases, a student completing the requirements for a Concentration in Greek and/or Latin language will also be able to fulfill the requirements for the Concentration in Classical Culture with little additional coursework, and such double (or triple) concentration is encouraged to highlight the breadth of the Students knowledge of the ancient world.