Liberal Arts: Classical Studies Major

Rome offers students the ideal location for majoring in Classical Studies. The Ancient Roman world is still present in the city’s monuments, artwork, and inscriptions, in its rich museum collections, and in the profound influence of the classical tradition on its contemporary architecture.

Students majoring in classical studies have the exceptional opportunity to complement their study of classical language and written sources with on-site, first-hand experience of ancient art and material culture in Rome and throughout Italy. Major Roman library holdings greatly facilitate and enhance research in all areas of classical studies, including such specialized disciplines as numismatics, ancient medicine, science, engineering, and industry. While this major emphasizes the study of ancient Roman culture and society, the range of courses is designed to provide a solid foundation in classical civilization as a whole, from Greek and Roman literature to ancient history, philosophy, religion, mythology, archaeology, art, and architecture. Through their choice of major electives, students can focus in more depth on one or more of the areas of Greco-Roman culture that interest them the most.

The interdisciplinary study of the Classical World teaches students to think analytically about the foundations of Western Civilization, it also prepares them to think critically about their own contemporary world, and to seek innovative solutions to future challenges.