Classics is the study of the ancient world, encompassing Greek and Roman history, art, literature, philosophy, and many other areas as well as the ancient languages. The Classics Minor at USU requires completion of a total of 21 hours in variable combinations drawn from core courses in the Departments of Art, English, History, Languages and Philosophy, Political Science, and Theater Arts.
Four areas of emphasis are possible: Civilization,
Latin Language,
Greek Language,
and Latin Teaching.
While any serious student of historical linguistics, ancient history,
and archaeology will have to be able to read the sources in their original
languages (Latin and Greek), below are just a few examples of other careers
for which Classics provides valuable training.
Teaching: Any of Classics Minors will equip students with a depth of understanding invaluable in their own classrooms, whether they teach English, history, philosophy, literature, civilization, art, mythology, or modern languages. Understanding the traditions behind their chosen discipline allows the teacher to answer a much wider range of questions and make more meaningful presentations of their subject matter. State-wide, the Classics Minor helps fulfill the increasing need for high-school Latin teachers.
Law and Medicine: As western law is steeped in Roman jurisprudence,
so is legal vocabulary steeped in Latin. Such terms as habeas corpus
nolo contendere, prima facie, corpus delicti
and amicus curiae are part of the everyday Latin vocabulary of
practicing lawyers. Furthermore, understanding the classical tradition
provides valuable background for the future attorney. This is also true
of careers in Medicine and Pharmacy, where for over a thousand years the
languages of doctors and pharmacists were Latin and Greek. Today, a knowledge
of Latin and Greek can provide a pre-med student or student nurse with
the winning advantage in increasingly competitive medical school studies.
Ministry: Latin, together with Greek and Hebrew, is the language
of Judaeo-Christian thought and tradition. Every serious student of the
New Testament eventually studies Greek so that the New Testament can be
read in the original. Understanding of ancient philosophy and history
is also a valuable tool.
Journalism: The ability to communicate with an extensive
vocabulary and a thorough command of English is essential to success in
journalism. The ancient languages sharpen communication skills like little
else.
Art, Literature, and Drama: Since an enormous portion of
our civilization has been influenced by the classical tradition, the Classics
Minor will help students appreciate the countless historical and mythological
allusions which are encountered in all of the fine arts. This emphasis
on the appreciation of classical arts mirrors Utah's cultural values,
as represented by the state's outstanding representation of the fine arts,
opera, ballet, and especially drama.
Testimonials from past and current Classics students
See Requirements for the following Classics Minors:
Latin Language - Greek Language - Classical Civilization - Latin Teaching