Mission Statement
The mission of the Classics Department, in solidarity with its Jesuit tradition, is to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary education on the diverse and interconnected ancient world in service of creating a more positive present and future.
Fostering a lively and inclusive community of professors and students who interact through time-tested and innovative teaching strategies, we engage with the thinking, language, and culture of Greeks, Romans, and other peoples throughout the Mediterranean, Europe, Northern Africa, and Southwest and Central Asia. Starting from the premise that a culture can only truly be understood when examined through its native linguistic framework, we explore the literature, history, art, philosophy, religion, politics, science, medicine, and material culture of these diverse yet interconnected ancient civilizations. We analyze their enduring relevance to and influence upon communities across the globe today using the self-critical posture of ancient texts as a model for challenging cultural assumptions and evaluating different perspectives on eternal questions.
Goals & Objectives for Student Learning
Upon graduation students will be able to:
1. Analyze cultural materials and relationships using multiple approaches and types of evidence.
2. Ascertain traditions and beliefs underlying cultural artifacts, institutions, and subjects.
3. Read and explore in Greek and/or Latin, in order to more effectively engage with cultural concepts, beliefs, and ways of thinking, as well as explain the union of language and culture.
4. Articulate commonalities and connections across language, language structures, and cultures.
5. Communicate results of various types of analyses effectively, both orally and in writing.
6. Apply their learning across multiple professional contexts and opportunities.