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The Department of the Classics offers a variety of concentration options for those who wish to explore the heritage of ancient Greece and Rome. Through its own courses, and through concentration credit for courses in other departments and in the Core Curriculum and Program in General Education, the Classics Department encourages its students to appreciate the whole range of classical civilization from the Bronze Age through Byzantium and medieval Europe to Modern Greece. Its faculty provide instruction in the major areas of classical study—language and linguistics, literature, archaeology, history, philosophy, and religion. In conformity with its conviction that Classics lies at the root of many important academic fields, the department supports a large number of joint concentrations with other departments. It is hoped that a Classics graduate will have acquired an understanding of the production, transmission, and reception of Greco-Roman culture.

Seven different options are offered: (1) Classics, for those who wish to study Greek and Latin literature in equal depth; (2) Classics-Greek, and (3) Classics-Latin, for those who wish to concentrate on Greek or Latin literature alone; (4) Classical Archaeology, for those who wish to emphasize the art and architecture of the ancient world, and to approach its prehistory and history through the methods of archaeology; (5) Greek and Roman History, for those who wish to combine a focus on ancient history with language study; (6) Joint Concentration, for those who wish to combine an interest in Greek or Latin, or both, with the study of a related subject, such as English, history of art and architecture, philosophy, etc.; (7) Classics and Medieval Greek/Medieval Latin/Modern Greek, for those who wish to combine an interest in Classics with Medieval Greek, Medieval Latin, and/or Modern Greek. Students with no previous knowledge of Greek or Latin may prefer to choose Classics-Greek or Classics-Latin rather than Classics, so as to have more freedom to concentrate on the language of their choice.

Concentrators in all options are expected to acquire an exact knowledge of Greek or Latin, or both. The Department’s flagship tutorials in the History of Greek Culture and the History of Roman Culture are provided as a gateway to classical studies conceived more broadly. Students are also urged to investigate topics not covered by the formal courses, and in their senior year the option of writing a thesis, embodying the results of research, is available to honors candidates. At the end of the senior year all concentrators in the class of 2007 and later are required to take a General Examination, which is designed to assure the department that its graduates have a knowledge that is both broad and deep. A basic reading list of classical authors is issued to concentrators to guide them in preparation for the General Examination.

In recent years a Classics concentration has proved rewarding for those who anticipate further study in the humanities, as well as for students who go on to law, medicine, divinity, journalism, business, or the arts.