Why Classical Studies?

Do you wonder about the origins of ideas like democracy, freedom, or imperialism? Do the marvelous literatures of the Greek and Roman worlds speak to you in some special way? Are you fascinated by Greek theater or philosophy? Are you interested in Classical art and architecture? Did you take Latin in high school? Have you taken it at Ithaca College? Would you like to? Are you looking for the perfect minor to complement to your degree? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions Classical Studies may be just the place for you.

Ithaca College offers students an opportunity to study the classical tradition from an interdisciplinary perspective. The classical studies minor focuses on the languages, literatures, and civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, as well as the later classical tradition. Since many of the ideas and principles that emerged in the classical world are basic to Western culture, courses in classics apply to the study of almost all the liberal arts and sciences. Classical studies is of particular interest to students of law, literature, rhetoric and composition, communication, modern languages, history, politics, religion, music, art history, drama, and philosophy. For more information, contact the program coordinator.

There are three principal goals of the program: 1) Become proficient in Latin (or Greek); 2) Gain an understanding of classical traditions and 3) understand how classical traditions have influenced, and continue to influence, later developments in literature, art, politics, philosophy, and other areas.

The description of the requirements for the Minor can be found in the catalog.

Upcoming Fall 2012 Courses:

Classical Languages:

LATN 101: Elementary Latin I

LATN 200: Intermediate Latin

Core Courses:

ARTH 331 (02): The Art and Architecture of Ordinary Romans

ENGL 231: Ancient Literature

HIST 353: Ancient Greece

Electives:

ARTH 111: Episodes in Western Art

ARTH 231: Northern Renaissance Art

ARTH 331 (01): Muslims, Jews, and Christians in Medieval Spain

ENGL 219: Shakespeare

ENGL 232: Medieval Literature

ENGL 311: Dramatic Literature I

ENGL 430: Seminar: English Renaissance

HIST 101: Foundations of Western Civilization

HIST 204: Ancient and Medieval Jews

THPA 241: History of Theater I

Previously Offered Courses:

Classical Languages:

LATN 102: Elementary Latin II

LATN 250: Classical Mythology

Core Courses:

ARTH 209: Introduction to the Roman World

HIST 291: ST: Early Science and Medicine

SPCM 326: Classical Theories of Rhetoric

Electives:

ARTH 235: The Invention of Art

ENGL 331: Studies in the English Renaissance: English Renaissance Beasts

HIST 391: ST: Culture of the High Middle Ages

ITAL 370: Love, Lust, and Black Death: Boccaccio

THPA 362: History of the Theater