Ithaca College students will take a giant step into the past next fall, thanks to the launch of a new minor in classical studies. Focusing on the language, literature, and civilization of ancient Greece, Rome, and later classical traditions, the new minor gives students a thorough grounding in the ideas and principles that formed Western culture. "This was demand driven. Students are asking for it," said associate professor Bob Sullivan, coordinator of the classical studies minor. "Latin is one of the fastest-growing language courses in high schools nationwide."

The new minor is built on core courses in classical languages, history, and culture, spanning the centuries from ancient Greece through the Renaissance. Students customize the program to their specific majors through a variety of complementary electives. The new program taps existing courses and faculty expertise from throughout the College. "We found faculty across the campus who are highly qualified in the classics," Sullivan said. "We didn't have to create any new courses or positions to fulfill requirements for the new minor."

Sullivan credits much of the program's successful launch to the efforts of English professor Michael Twomey. "Michael took it upon himself to start teaching Latin several years ago," Sullivan said. "It was an enormously generous thing to do." Sullivan and Twomey worked with professor of modern languages Gladys Varona-Lacey, Dana Professor of Arts and Humanities Nancy Ramage, and faculty from four departments within the School of Humanities and Sciences to identify and coordinate program criteria.