The B.A. in Classics is designed to give students a thorough grounding in the culture, history, literature, and intellectual accomplishments of Ancient Greece and Rome from the Bronze Age to the dawn of the Middle Ages. Studying the history and literature of these civilizations will not only help students to develop skills in close reading, writing, and critical thinking, but will also help them to see how fundamental concepts of Western Civilization such as rationalism and democracy first arose in Classical Antiquity.

The Classics degree is divided into two tracks: the Literature and Language track has a traditional focus on Latin and Greek philology (students choose either Latin or Greek to specialize in, but are encouraged to take both) and is intended to enable students to read and enjoy the great texts of Classical Antiquity (Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, Tacitus, the New Testament, etc.) in the original languages. The Classical Civilization track has no language requirement and focuses instead on the history, beliefs, and material culture of ancient Greek and Roman civilization. A major in Classics signals a commitment to serious intellectual inquiry and is an excellent basis for careers in law, business, consulting, public service, and teaching. Those intending to pursue careers in medicine or finance will also find that a major in Classics can be easily combined with undergraduate courses required for those fields.