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Ancient History and Classics

Degree: BA

Campus: Columbus

College: Arts and Sciences

Ancient history and classics is an interdisciplinary major offered jointly by the Department of Classics and the Department of History. The major combines two areas of study that are closely related: Classics is the study of the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome and the people they directly affected. Ancient history is the study of political, military and cultural events and developments the cultures and people of ancient Greece and Rome experienced over time, from the Bronze Age to the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Upon admission to the university, students can declare a major in ancient history and classics within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students wishing to major in ancient history and classics would benefit from taking Latin in high school.

Students construct a major program of 31 hours or more with emphasis upon Greek and/or Latin language and selected courses in Greek and/or Roman history. Details of the program should be discussed with a student’s major advisor. 

The Department of Classics encourages participation in study abroad programs such as the College Year in Athens, the summer programs of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the programs sponsored by the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. The Department of Classics also offers courses that include short-term study abroad programs to Greece and Italy. 

Students might be interested in Eta Sigma Phi, a countrywide Honorary Greek Letter Society whose purpose is to develop and promote interest in classical study among Ohio State students and to connect students with those pursuing classical studies at other universities.

 

Graduates in classics find their marketable skills considerably enhanced by their humanities education. A major in classics, Greek or Latin, properly coordinated with a minor in some other subject and relevant specialized course work, provides excellent preparation for a career in medicine, business, law, politics, government, publishing and many other areas of employment. Students can also go on to earn advanced degrees in fields such as Latin, Greek and Latin literature, ancient philosophy, ancient history and archaeology.