Bachelor of Arts - Classical Studies

Explore ancient Greece and Rome with a BA in Classical Studies at Miami University. Ideal for international students seeking a rich cultural experience. Apply now!

Classics draws on the study of literature, art, archaeology, philosophy, history, political theory, law, medicine, and religion to understand the societies of ancient Greece and Rome in their broader Mediterranean context. Foundation courses introduce students to classical mythology and Greek and Roman civilization. Upper-level seminars explore topics such as gender and sexuality, ancient religion, race and ethnicity, law and medicine, ancient cities, drama and spectacle. Today concepts in the Classics continue to influence debates about self and state, and appear regularly in modern popular culture. Courses in the department examine topics like the representation of classical antiquity in Hollywood film and the reception of classical thought and literature in Russia and colonial America. This major gives students a broad spectrum of classical culture and humanities courses with the option of an emphasis on study in classical languages. The study of ancient Greek and Latin has provided the foundation of classical education for centuries. The study of classical languages fosters the development of skills that remain essential for today’s students, including an enhanced ability to process and apply detailed information through memorization and textual analysis. At the same time, reading the work of ancient authors in their own language provides unprecedented access to ancient Greek and Roman culture on its own terms. The study of Latin greatly facilitates students’ acquisition of other Romance languages, while Greek is the language of the Christian Bible. Finally, the study of Greek and Latin expands students’ English vocabulary by introducing them to English word roots, while giving students’ invaluable exposure to key terminology in a range of professions, not least medicine and law.