The Program in Classics

Classics focuses on the study of the languages, literatures, and civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. Since many of the ideas and principles which 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.

Students wishing to major in classics may choose among three concentrations: Latin (see Latin); an interdisciplinary concentration in Classical Civilization; or an interdisciplinary concentration in Classical Archaeology. Students develop their major programs in consultation with a faculty adviser.

The study of ancient Greek is an appropriate complement to any major in the liberal arts or sciences, and any student may use Greek to satisfy the College's general education requirement for proficiency in a foreign language. While no specific major or concentration in Greek is offered, students may use courses in Greek to fulfill the requirements for a major in Classics (see Classics). The College is a cooperating institution with the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and students who study Greek are encouraged to apply to its program.

While some classics majors who choose a concentration in Classical Civilization include teacher licensure in their schedule, others take a second major in a related field, such as history, philosophy, religion, English, business, or modern foreign languages. With such a background, graduates have a wide range of opportunities after college, including museum work, archaeology, graduate study, teaching, and translating.

The concentration in Classical Archaeology offers special preparation to those students who wish to pursue museum or field work in archaeology. A concentration in Classical Archaeology joined with a related major such as anthropology, art history, historic preservation, history, or religion will enable a student to add depth of knowledge about the ancient world to his or her study of those disciplines.

Opportunities for study and excavation abroad are readily available to the Classics major. Mary Washington is a member of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome and the American School of Classical Studies in Athens. Students are welcome to consult with the Classics faculty about programs at these and other institutions. Qualified students are invited to join Eta Sigma Phi, the national honor society for Classics, and to try for departmental honors in their senior year.

Classics Faculty

Professor Emeritus
Diane F. Hatch

Associate Professor
Liane Houghtalin

Assistant Professor
Joe Romero

Assistant Professor
Angela Pitts