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Classics is
a broad discipline, characterized by its interdisciplinary nature. Pursuing classics means acquiring fundamental language skills in ancient classical
languages (Greek, Latin, and, to a lesser degree, Sanskrit), along with a
wide-ranging knowledge of the ancient world.
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Studying classics involves coming to grips with the ancient Greek and Roman
civilizations: their myths and literature; their social, military, political,
and cultural history; their philosophy; and aspects of their material culture. At every stage, students are led to reflect on
the many connections of classics to the modern world, and how these ancient
civilizations contributed to shape it.
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As many other humanities disciplines do, classics combines
language study with the exploration of questions central to many social
sciences. Classics students are led to ponder the mechanisms of human
psychology, social organization, and historical evolution, and are given an
opportunity to appreciate the ways in which the individual and the community
relate to, shape, and affect one another.
To better understand what studying classics
entails, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the core
learning goals that motivate the teaching of classics, listed on the departmental website, and to contact the classics undergraduate director with any questions.
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