Classical Studies

Classical Studies

Classical Studies focuses on the languages, literatures, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, as well as the dynamic economic, linguistic, artistic, literary, philosophical, and cultural interactions between the peoples of the ancient Greek and Italian peninsulas with other peoples and geographical regions within the ancient Mediterranean basin. Since archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean has significantly improved our ability to reconstruct the past, multiple courses in Classical Studies introduce students to the methods of archaeology, excavation, landscape survey, and artifact analysis.  And, because many of the ideas, cultural values, intellectual pursuits, art, architecture, material culture, and literature which emerged in the classical world have been highly influential to Western and global cultures, courses in Classical Studies apply to almost all the liberal arts and sciences.

Students wishing to major in Classical Studies will find the major requirements here.

On par, Classical Studies majors are among the most employable graduates in the liberal arts. They score better than all other majors on LSATs, have excellent success rates getting into medical school, and hold solid prospects for meaningful, salaried careers.  The Princeton Review overview of majors states:

 “We can’t overestimate the value of a Classics major:  according to Association of American Medical Colleges, students who major or double-major in Classics have a better success rate getting into medical school than do students who concentrate solely in biology, microbiology, and other branches of science…Furthermore, according to Harvard Magazine, Classics majors (and math majors) have the highest success of any majors in law school…Classics majors get on well in life because they develop intellectual rigor, communications skills, analytical skills, the ability to handle complex information, and, above all, a breadth of view which few other disciplines can provide.”

Many of our majors take a second major or minor in another related field, such as Philosophy, Anthropology, Art History, Theater, Religious Studies, English, Biology, Linguistics, Creative Writing, History, Business, or Business Administration.  UMW Alums who majored in Classics enjoy dynamic and successful careers in a wide-range of high-earning and meaningful career paths, including Archaeology, Law and Jurisprudence, Medical Fields, Librarian Science and Archival Work, Business, Finance, IT and Tech Industries, Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education, Professional Writing, Publishing, Public Policy, NASA, and Museum Curation.

Students of Classical Studies have the option of taking either Latin or ancient Greek, and any student may use either of these languages to satisfy UMW’s general education requirement for proficiency in a foreign language. We also offer a wide range of courses in Greek and Roman literature, culture, and archaeology.  Many of our students take advantage of the opportunity to work one-on-one with Classical Studies faculty in independent study and capstone projects during their junior or senior year.

Opportunities for study in Greece and Italy and excavation abroad are readily available to the Classical Studies major, and many of our majors have enjoyed successful internships at archaeological sites, museums, libraries, public schools, and think tanks within the U.S. and abroad.

Mary Washington is a member of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and the Classical Association of the Middle, West, and South.  Students are welcome to consult with the Classics faculty about programs at these and other institutions.  Qualified students are invited to join UMW’s Beta Nu chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, the national honor society for Classics, and to try for departmental honors in their senior year.

All students are welcome to join the Classics Club and to participate in Classics Club sponsored events.

Questions about majoring in Classical Studies may be directed to:

Angela Pitts (Prof. of Classical Studies): apitts2@umw.edu

Rebecca Boyd (Visiting Professor of Classical Studies): rboyd2@umw.edu