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.