What are the Classics?
At the center of Wabash College’s curriculum since its founding, the Classics delve into the history, art, archaeology, mythology, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. The Wabash Classics department continues to give instruction in Greek and Latin from beginning to advanced levels as the most immediate means of exploring the ancient world, of understanding the structure and vocabulary of our English language, and of preparing for the technical vocabulary used in the medical and legal professions today. These offerings are supplemented by other classical studies that focus on aspects of ancient civilization, e.g., ancient medicine, Greek and Roman religion, Roman urban planning, ancient political theory, Greek philosophy, and ancient rhetoric. Check out this overview of Classics course offerings. For course descriptions and details about our majors and minors – which include the Greek and Latin programs – check out our curriculum.
Why study the Classics?
Whether a student has aspirations to become the next Indiana Jones or simply loves reading ancient texts, the Classics Department at Wabash is a stimulating and welcoming intellectual home. Wabash College classics majors are encouraged to broaden their intellectual perspectives by studying abroad, whether through the department’s own immersion courses to Italy and Greece or through semester-long programs at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome and College Year in Athens. Knowledgeable and passionate faculty travel regularly to the Mediterranean, and also bring that world to Wabash with an active program of visiting speakers. Join us for the next Suovetaurilia (roasting of a pig, sheep, and bull, accompanied by feasting, song, and athletic competition), chariot races on the Mall, outreach to the local community through staged readings of ancient plays, and much more. Take a look at the Detchon Center, home to the Classics department.
What can you do with a Classics degree?
Recent Wabash Classics majors have pursued various career paths: Finance Commissioner, Attorney, Naval Flight Officer, Minister, Videographer, Orthopedic Surgeon, Business Analyst, White House Military Official, College Professor, Middle School and High School Teacher, Website Editor, Linguist for the US Army, Newspaper Copy Chief, Fiscal Analyst, Art/Archaeological Conservator, Broadcast Engineer, and Accounts Manager.
To keep up to date with the department, see our annual department newsletter.