Why Study Classics?

The people of the classical world gave us the magnificent and deeply influential Latin and Greek languages, democracy, philosophy, atomism, our alphabet, tragedy, the form and concept of the republic, the idea of universal citizenship, building in concrete with arches, cupolas and barrel vaults, the concept of history, the book, the West’s first literature (Homer), Antigone, and eventually underpinned the rise of Christianity.

Latin and Greek continue to inform our daily life. As we walk across campus, hand over a dime with e pluribus unum written on it, and discuss the new forms of democracy developing in the world, we are using Latin and Greek words and ideas. The fields of law and medicine draw heavily on Latin and Greek for their terminology.

Studying the Classics is fundamental to understanding western civilization and the development of American history and politics. It is a multicultural, interdisciplinary field that provides access to the classical world through archaeology and art, mythology and religion, history and literature. Classics helps us understand who and why we are, and where we might be going.

Why else? In part it is because you are an extremely practical person looking for the best that the University of Colorado has to offer in a liberal arts education.

You know, for example, that Classics majors rank among the highest scorers among all undergraduate majors on the GRE and LSAT exams.
And you know about the extremely high acceptance rate for Classics majors applying to law schools, graduate schools, and medical schools.
But more than that, you know that Classics majors learn marketable skills that are highly prized by employers in today's volatile job market: how to read critically, think analytically, and communicate articulately.

Within CU Classics you will find a small academic home in a large university, where you will get to know your fellow students and your professors. The faculty and staff of the department will take an interest in your academic career at CU and will help you to pursue your goals before and after you graduate.

But most likely the main reason you are going to choose a Classics major is because you have discovered the fascination of studying ancient civilizations.

Perhaps you've come to agree with Thomas Jefferson that "to read the Latin and Greek authors in their original is a sublime luxury," so you want to take on Homer or Thucydides, Cicero or Virgil. Or perhaps you've developed an interest in the complex social history of the Roman Empire. Or you want to explore the origins of western philosophy in Plato and Aristotle. You might want to get your hands dirty excavating a Roman villa. Or explore the Parthenon and the world of Greek art. CU Classics is the place to begin!

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