What is Classics?
The study of Classics entails an education in the languages, literature, history and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. It encompasses all that is best in a liberal arts education:
- The study of classical philology fosters a lucidity of expression and reasoning
- The study of the artistic, intellectual, and political achievements of classical antiquity inspires creativity, critical inquiry, and ethical behavior.
It provides an opportunity for the student:
- to acquire competence in the classical languages
- to develop a critical perspective on classical literature
- to study the history and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
Majors and Minors in the Department of Classics
Denison classics students visited sites in Italy, concentrating on Rome, but including travels from Pompeii in the south to Ravenna in the north via Florence.
Denison University offers majors and minors in Latin, ancient Greek or Classics. A major in Latin fully prepares students to teach the language at the secondary level and provides the necessary foundation for post-undergraduate study of Latin. Students, however, who are interested in a doctoral degree in classics must also include a commensurate amount of study in ancient Greek.
To fulfill a major in Latin, students must complete the following:
- 24 credits in Latin
- 8 credits in Greek
- 4 credits in either CLAS 202 or CLAS 301 (only topics related to Rome)
- a minimum of 4 credits of Senior Research (LATN 451-2)
- 1 credit (CLAS 440) Senior Symposium and Comprehensive Examination
To fulfill a minor in Latin, students must complete the following:
- 20 credits in Latin
- 4 credits in either CLAS 202 or CLAS 301 (only topics related to Rome)
To fulfill a major in ancient Greek, students must complete the following:
- 24 credits in ancient Greek
- 8 credits in Latin
- 4 credits in either CLAS 201 or CLAS 301 (only topics related to Greece)
- a minimum of 4 credits of Senior Research (GRK 451-2)
- 1 credit (CLAS 440) Senior Symposium and Comprehensive Examination
To fulfill a minor in ancient Greek, students must complete the following:
- 20 credits in ancient Greek
- 4 credits in either CLAS 201 or CLAS 301 (only topics related to Greece)
To fulfill a major in Classics, students must complete the following:
- 32 credits in ancient Greek and Latin of which there is a minimum of 12 credits in either ancient Greek or Latin
- 8 credits in CLAS 201 and 202, or CLAS 301 (with appropriate substitute for each Greece and Rome)
- a minimum of 4 credits of Senior Research (CLAS 451-2)
- 1 credit (CLAS 440) Senior Symposium and Comprehensive Examination
To fulfill a minor in Classics, students must complete the following:
- 20 credits in ancient Greek or Latin of which there is a minimum of 8 credits in either ancient Greek or Latin
- 8 credits in CLAS 201 and 202, or CLAS 301 (with appropriate substitute for each Greece and Rome)
What do classics majors do after Denison?
Graduates in classics from Denison have gone on to successful careers in medicine, law, education, government and business, as well as pursuing graduate study. Student acceptance rates for law school among Classics majors nationwide is extremely high.
For more information about the department and curriculum, go to:
or contact:
Department of Classics
Fellows Hall, Room 412
Denison University
Granville, Ohio 43023
Phone: (740) 587-6251
Fax: (740) 587-8285