Classics
Major & Minor
Bachelor of Arts
Are you interested in reading the Greek of Homer, Sappho, and Plato? The Latin of Cicero, Vergil, and St. Augustine? Would you like to read the New Testament in the original? As a Classics student, you will undertake a multidisciplinary study embracing all aspects of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations: languages and linguistics, literature, mythology, history, philosophy, religion, science, art, and archaeology.
Student Research Highlight: Archeological Dig Uncovers Ancient Biblical Mosaics in Galilee
In June of 2023, student Miranda Brown, an anthropology and Classics major from Centerville, Texas, participated in an architectural dig with Dr. Martin Wells, Austin College Associate Professor of Classics. Dr. Wells is the architectural specialist for the Huqoq Excavation Project in Israel, the site of a 1,600-year-old synagogue.
In addition to working at the excavation site six days a week, Miranda and the other students attended lectures by the excavation staff on stratigraphy, architecture, pottery, wall paintings, coins, mosaics, and site conservation. They also went on field trips to archaeological sites in Galilee and northern Israel and took a long field trip to Jordan. With Amman as their base, the group visited the Herodian fortress at Machaerus, the biblical site of Mt. Nebo, the ancient churches and their mosaics of Umm al-Rasas, and the church housing the famous Madaba map mosaic.
Finish in Four*
with the skills to launch your career
Your four-year academic experience
will develop your understanding of the Greek and Latin languages and cultures as well as strengthen and refine your skills in literary analysis and appreciation, the logic of language, and the roots of medical, scientific, and legal terminology. With a degree in Classics, upon graduation you will be prepared to:
- enter careers where close attention to language is important such as publishing and editing, library science, documentary research, and more;
- start teaching languages at the secondary school level; and
- continue with graduate study in Classics, history, Classical archaeology, ancient philosophy, and related fields.
Explore our Graduate Outcomes to learn more about what our graduates are doing today.
Program Highlights
Greek
Understanding the Classics begins with two courses in Greek, the world's oldest recorded living language. This sets your foundation to then dive deep into literature, art, and architecture to construct the evolution of our world over centuries.
Meet our Faculty
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Popular Courses
- Greek History and Civilization
- Roman History and Civilization
- Science Fiction and Classics
- Greek and Roman Archaeology
- The Ancient World in Film and TV
- Classical Mythology