Create their own knowledge: Persuasively develop own interpretation of the material; takes into account counterarguments; applies secondary sources and theory where appropriate; uses primary source evidence in support of independent analysis
Classical Studies
The art, literature and philosophy of the ancient Greeks and Romans have cast a long shadow on the modern world, providing the resources to help contemporary societies tackle fundamental questions like “what is a good life?” “what is the meaning of justice?” and “how should human beings interact with the world around?” In the multi-cultural world of the ancient Mediterranean, these ancient societies also grappled with the meaning and form of a range of social differences such as gender, class, race, religion, and sexuality, differences that led, in some cases, to brutal phenomena like slavery and human trafficking. So, too, the Greek and Roman eras provided the context for the emergence of major ideas and institutions that continue to define the world today, such as democracy and Christianity.
What Can I Do With a Major in Classical Humanities?
“Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body.” Marcus Tullius Cicero
A student who has taken Classics courses can offer an employer the ability to read, write, and think analytically about a broad range of human concerns. Potential career areas include law, journalism, library science, publishing, and teaching. With an additional proficiency in a modern language, Classics courses would strengthen a candidate for positions in international business and diplomacy.
Many students who have taken Classics courses decide to continue their education at the graduate level, which provides a solid foundation for advanced work in the ancient languages and literature, comparative literature, archaeology, religion, history, creative writing, business, mythology, philosophy, and the sciences. Professional schools of law and medicine are also options.
Why Study Classics?
Work within an interdisciplinary framework
The field of Classics is by its nature interdisciplinary and our courses emphasize a range of approaches to the ancient world, integrating the study of ancient languages, literature, art and archaeology, philosophy, history, political theory, religion, law and medicine. Our Classical Studies majors and minors are built to be flexible, allowing students to specialize in the areas that most interest them, whether the study of Latin or the study of ancient literature in translation or the study of ancient history, art and culture.
Enhance your skills in problem-solving
Greek and Roman literature is deeply invested in ethical examination of a range of problems, while also exploring the consequences of the solutions that different communities have used to try to resolve them. Thus, many contemporary thinkers and artists have turned to ancient literature for assistance in thinking about modern problems as diverse as: war and post traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, chronic disease, and even our systems of incarceration.
Deepen your understanding of American history and culture: From the time our founding fathers used the work of ancient authors to establish the new American nation, classical antiquity has exerted an enormous influence on American political life, art and architecture, and culture more broadly. Still today, the influence of Greek and Roman mythology and history can be found in genres as widespread as fashion, film and TV, books and graphic novels, gaming, and music videos.
Prepare for post-graduate study in medicine and law
Both law schools and medical schools have long valued training in Classics when considering student admissions, often citing the critical thinking abilities and writing proficiencies students routinely acquire in their study of antiquity. Students, too, acknowledge the advantage their study of Classics can give them in pursuing advanced work in both fields, especially given that medicine and law drew largely from ancient Greek and Latin in forming their professional vocabularies. Many Classics students have gone on to have distinguished careers in both law and medicine.
Take advantage of study abroad and independent research opportunities
Miami Classics students can participate in study abroad programs in Greece, Italy and other European destinations. In addition, many of our students have pursued independent research through Miami’s prestigious undergraduate research programs, such as the Undergraduate Summer Scholars Program and Dean’s Scholar Program. Be sure to discuss these opportunities with your Classics adviser as early as possible!
Classical Studies majors and minors have excelled in a wide range of professional disciplines, such as:
- Law
- Medicine
- Banking and finance
- Tourism and travel
- Diplomacy
- Publishing
- Museum Studies
- Professional Writing
- Latin teaching and academia
Note that students who are interested in becoming a Latin teacher and want to combine teacher licensure with an Arts and Science major at Miami need to observe the rules, procedures, and restrictions pertaining to admission to a licensure cohort as outlined in the School of Education and Allied Professions chapter. Go here for more information.
Our Minor
This minor offers students the opportunity to become acquainted with the rich spectrum of classical literature, language, art, and civilization. A minimum 2.00 GPA is required for all courses in the minor. These courses must be taken for a grade, not credit/no-credit.
Learning Outcomes
At graduation, we expect that Classical Studies minors can:
Evaluate interpretations of secondary scholarship in terms of primary source evidence: Evaluates multiple interpretations by weighing their validity in relation to the primary source
Identify the scholarly context: Locates appropriate research findings used by scholars in classics and related fields
Identify primary source evidence: Locates relevant evidence within primary sources in support of the research study
Cite sources: Cites primary and secondary sources according to conventions used by scholars in the field
Use proper syntax and mechanics: Communicates ideas with clarity and fluency using accurate grammar and spelling
Advising and Placement
Advising
For questions relating to Classical Humanities, Greek, or Latin courses or advising guidance, please contact:
Dr. Zara Torlone
Irvin Hall 108
513-529-1488 Office
513-529-1480 Department
Course Placement for Latin
If this is a new language for you (i.e., no prior experience in this language), students should enroll in Latin 101 and do not need to take a placement exam or advisement evaluation.
If you have had previous experience or education in this language, you will need to take the Latin Placement Test first to see which level you should enroll in. Go to Miami's Foreign Language Placement and select Latin for your language. Then select the number of years you have previously had learning Latin. If you have had 1/2 years, round up to the next whole year of previous experience. When you are finished with the test, your exam will be emailed to a designated language advisor in Classics to read and score it. The language advisor will then email you back at the address you gave on the exam and inform you of your score and which course you should register for.
If you believe that the language placement is incorrect or have doubts about the placement, please talk to the department's language advisor, who would be able to interview you briefly and recommend a best placement based on your written, spoken, listening, literary, and cultural competence.
Courses that Meet the Miami Plan
CAS-A Requirement (Foreign Language)
- LAT 101 - Beginning Latin I (4 Credit Hours)
- LAT 102 - Beginning Latin II (4 Credit Hours)
- LAT 201 - Intermediate Latin I (3 Credit Hours)
- LAT 202 - Intermediate Latin II (3 Credit Hours)
CAS-B Requirement (Humanities)
- CLS 101 - Greek Civilization in its Mediterranean Context (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 102 - Roman Civilization: From City to Empire (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 121 - Introduction to Classical Mythology (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 211 - Greek and Roman Epic (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 212 - Greek and Roman Tragedy (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 218 - Greek and Roman Erotic Poetry (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 235 - Women in Antiquity (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 254 - Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Studies (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 425 - Senior Seminar (3 Credit Hours)
- LAT 202 - Representative Latin Authors (3 Credit Hours)
- LAT 310 - Special Topics in Latin Literature (3 Credit Hours; maximum 12)
Perspective Areas (PA3B - Humanities)
- CLS 101 - Greek Civilization in its Mediterranean Context (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 102 - Roman Civilization: From City to Empire (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 121 - Introduction to Classical Mythology (3 Credit Hours)
- CLS 254 - Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Studies (3 Credit Hours)
Perspective Areas (PA4B - Intercultural Consciousness)
- CLS 102 - Roman Civilization: From City to Empire (3 Credit Hours)
Signature Inquiry (Power, Justice, and Social Change)
- CLS 102 - Roman Civilization: From City to Empire (3 Credit Hours)
Signature Inquiry (Creativity, Storytelling, and Design)
- CLS 102 - Roman Civilization: From City to Empire (3 Credit Hours)
Department of French, Italian, and Classical Studies
400 E. Spring Street
105 Irvin Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
