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Classical Studies



Classical Studies

Classical studies combines the examination of the ideas and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome with the application insights from classical texts to our own time. Dickinson’s rigorous language curriculum focuses on mastery of core vocabulary in Latin and Ancient Greek, the development of sight-reading skills and close reading and literary interpretation. Courses taught entirely in English deal with mythology, the ancient world in film, ancient history, archaeology, classical philosophy and public speaking. A capstone seminar involves an original research project and reflection on how ideas and values in classical texts can be relevant today.

Almost all majors spend time overseas, usually in Rome or Athens. A special departmental endowment (Roberts Fund for Classical Studies) exists to support study abroad for classical studies majors. Many students participate in paid summer and winter internships, developing open educational resources under faculty direction in a series of digital projects: Dickinson College Commentaries and Dickinson Classics Online.

An active student community fosters the classics on campus through public events, a Latin club for school students, the Classics House, the annual Classics Festival and the Eta Sigma Phi honor society. The department sponsors the annual Roberts Lectures, which bring classicists of international renown to campus, and a series of workshops for teachers—the Dickinson Latin Workshops and the Conventiculum Dickinsoniense, a spoken Latin immersion.

Contact Info

Chair

Scott FarringtonAssociate Professor Classical Studies

Department Coordinator

Stephanie Dyson

Phone

717-245-1493

Fax

717-245-1683

Location

1st floor, East College Mailing Address

Department Features





Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • St. Augustine Preparatory School
  • Haverford College
  • Field Museum (Chicago)
  • La Lumiere School
  • National Gallery of Art
  • Mindshare
  • Brandeis University
  • Commonwealth Corps
  • Rocky Mountain Reparatory Theatre
  • Oxford Outcomes
  • Tom Brier for Congress
  • Washington Trust
  • Dreamsoft

Graduate schools

  • Harvard University
  • Columbia University
  • Hunter College
  • University of Massachusetts
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University College Dublin
  • Vanderbilt University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Oxford University
  • MIT
  • Brown University
  • Florida State University
  • Johns Hopkins University
Where Students Have Interned
  • Dickinson College Center For Sustainability Education
  • Linda Gaunt Communications
  • Dun & Bradstreet
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Paideia Institute for Humanistic Study
  • United States Senate, Senator Bob Casey of PA

Student Perspective

“The best thing about my majors has definitely been the close community within the majors. There are not many classics majors to begin with, and the language aspect of the major really helps build a close community among students and between students and professors. In addition, because of the small size of the major, there are a lot of unique opportunities afforded to students. I had the opportunity to travel to Greece with my professor and other classics majors over winter break for nearly no cost. It was really an awesome opportunity.”

—Nora Stocovaz ’25


Classical Studies News

 Student Snapshot: Nora Stocovaz ’25

Student Snapshot: Nora Stocovaz ’25

“Just try new things—even if it is scary!” That bravery has served Nora Stocovaz ’25 well, as chief of staff of Student Senate who performed fieldwork in Greece.

Student Snapshot: Mandy Porter

Student Snapshot: Mandy Porter '23

Learning ancient Greek is challenging and deeply rewarding, says Mandy Porter ’23, a double major in archaeology and classical studies and student-researcher who lives in the Human Cultures House.

Dickinson College to Host Lecture on Great Books for a New Generation

Dickinson College to Host Lecture on Great Books for a New Generation

Roosevelt Montás, a renowned academic and senior lecturer at Columbia University, will deliver Dickinson’s annual Morgan Lecture.

Classical Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2022

Classical Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2022

Graduating seniors accepted to the University of Edinburgh, University of York and Syracuse University.

Classical Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Classical Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Graduating classical studies majors move on to Army National Guard, graduate school and veterinary medicine program.

Student Snapshot: Claire Jeantheau

Student Snapshot: Claire Jeantheau '21

Whether studying abroad, interning with the CDF or reporting for The Dickinsonian, Claire Jeantheau ’21 loves how Dickinson has enabled her to see connections across many disciplines.