Classics
About the Department
Students can earn a major or minor in classics by taking classes in Greek, Latin or Classical Civilization. All Classics Department courses help satisfy FDR requirements, and many offerings are of interest to all students. No knowledge of Latin or ancient Greek is necessary for courses in Classical Civilization. All department courses count toward the major in classics.
Believing strongly that language and literature must be situated within its social context, we encourage student majors to explore offerings in philosophy, history, art history, religion, theater and archaeology, as well.
The literature, philosophy and history of the Greeks and Romans are not only fascinating in their own right, but they have stimulated some of the finest achievements of subsequent thinkers and writers. Many of these courses will not only be an enjoyable and challenging academic experience, but should prove useful whatever your future academic path.
Why Study Classics at W&L?
Classics is the original “interdisciplinary” study. A student concentrating in classics can study not only the language, but the art, history, religion and law of the ancient world. The study of classics offers not only breadth, but depth: Students learn how to pay meticulous attention to some of the most inspiring and influential texts ever composed. The study of classics at Washington and Lee is particularly rewarding since students have some exceptional opportunities to do professional work. For example, they might excavate during the summer in the Athenian Agora or participate in an international scholarly project, collecting and digitizing graffiti from the ancient world.
After W&L
Classics graduates of W&L have gone on to graduate study in classics and related fields, to law school, to medical school, to careers in consulting, and to positions teaching in private and public high schools.
Opportunities for Students
Study Abroad: Classics majors have many opportunities to study abroad, including the International Center for Classical Studies in Rome (Centro), College Year in Athens, Oxford University, and St. Andrew’s University in Scotland.
W&L is a member of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and our students actively participate in the ongoing dig at the Athenian Agora during the summer under the direction of professor Michael Laughy.
Students also have the opportunity to travel to Italy under the direction of Professor Rebecca Benefiel to identify and gather graffiti in the ancient site of Herculaneum, and to participate in an international project digitizing the graffiti and producing critical editions.
In addition to these formalized institutional programs abroad, students may earn classics credit by participating in one of the trips to Italy or Greece offered and led by members of the classics faculty during Spring Term.
Honors in Classics: Classics majors who have achieved distinction in the major may be eligible to write an Honors Thesis during the senior year and should begin conversations with faculty during Winter Term of the junior year.
Student Conferences: The Classics Department is a member of Sunoikisis, a national consortium of classics programs. Students have the opportunity, among others, of participating at undergraduate conferences sponsored by Sunoikisis.
We are also a member of Eta Sigma Phi, the national collegiate Honor Society for students of classics.
Sample Courses
Classical Mythology
An introduction to the study of Greek mythology, with an emphasis on the primary sources. The myths are presented in their historical, religious and political contexts. The course also includes an introduction to several major theories of myth, and uses comparative materials drawn from contemporary society and media.
Plato
An in-depth examination of the philosophy of Plato. We look at Plato's epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics and political philosophy through a careful analysis of several dialogues, including some or all of the following: Euthyphro, Laches, Apology, Gorgias, Meno, Phaedo, Symposium, Phaedrus and Republic. In addition, we consider certain challenges posed by Plato's use of the dialogue form, such as whether we are justified in assuming that Socrates is a mouthpiece for Plato's own views, and how we should interpret Plato's frequent appeal to myths and other literary devices within his dialogues.
Pompeii
The site of ancient Pompeii presents a thriving Roman town of the first century AD, virtually frozen in time by the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. In this course, we examine Pompeii's archaeological remains—public buildings, domestic architecture, painting, artifacts, inscriptions and graffiti—in order to reconstruct the life of the town. We also consider religion, games and entertainment, politics and the structure of Roman society.
The Athenian Acropolis
In this course, we study the art and architecture of the Acropolis, from the Neolithic period to today, with a particular focus on the Archaic and Classical periods. Our study is based upon a detailed and chronological survey of the buildings, dedications and religious practices conducted on the Acropolis. We conclude the course with a discussion of the Acropolis in the post-Classical period, and the meaning of the Acropolis for Greeks today.
Latin Epigraphy
Study of the monuments of the Roman Empire and the importance of text in Roman culture. From religious offerings to building dedications, from wax tablets to statue bases listing an individual's career, inscriptions were a central part of Roman culture from the time of the emperor Augustus through the fourth century. Laws, catacombs, dedications to the emperor, and other topics provide a view into Roman culture and civilization.
The Trojan War
The Trojan War ranks among the greatest tales ever told. But is the story real? In this course, we begin with the literary evidence, including the epics of Homer, as well as contemporary accounts from the Bronze Age Greeks, Hittites and Egyptians. We then follow the archaeological evidence, from the palaces of mainland Greece to the presumed site of Troy itself. Our search leads not just to the truth that lies behind the destruction of Troy, but reveals a long-lost international community of world superpowers whose cities were nearly all destroyed at the same time that Troy fell, an international cataclysm on a scale never before seen in ancient history.
Meet the Faculty
At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.
