Undergraduate Program

Traditionally, the study of Classics is centered on the literature and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Training includes the study of the classical languages (Greek, Latin), art, archaeology, literature, and history. But at Stanford, we believe that Classics is more than the study of two great civilizations in the Mediterranean basin. The ancient Mediterranean world was complex, and Greek and Roman civilization interacted with dozens of other civilizations from the Celts to the ancient inhabitants of Afghanistan and India.  In addition, the study of Classics also includes our own relationship to this complex ancient world. This opens up exciting possibilities for new ways of understanding the relevance and impact of Classics on the contemporary scene, whether in arts and letters, science and medicine, law, entertainment, religion, or geopolitics.  In short, the study of Classics is an exciting, intensely active, interdisciplinary subject.  It covers more than 3,000 years of human history, and it touches on the ways that abiding issues (justice, death, human relations, the divine) have been articulated in every era.  Classics is relevant to virtually every other subject offered at Stanford, from Law and Medicine to Philosophy and Comparative Literature, from the History of Science to Linguistics.  It is also, in itself, a source of intellectual challenge and joy. If you want a firm grasp of any of these fields, or a thorough grounding in fundamental traditions, begin by exploring Classics.

The Stanford Department of Classics offers a Bachelors of Arts in Classical Studies, Greek, Latin, or Greek and Latin. All of these degrees can be pursued with a Philosophy and Literature focus. In addition, we offer a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History, which does not require the study of ancient languages. In addition to our major program we also have a minor program for interested students. Our undergraduates are afforded the opportunity to participate in archaeological excavations around the world, to study abroad in the Mediterranean, and much more. Prospective majors are encouraged to declare at the beginning of the junior year, but are urged to discuss their plans with Dr. Maud Gleason as early as possible. For more information please consult the Stanford Bulletin.