Classics Department records

Classics at Williams includes a broad range of courses in the Greek and Latin languages and the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean. Courses in Greek and Latin enable students to increase their linguistic facility as they study important authors, subjects, and periods and develop a variety of methodological skills. Courses in Classical Studies, in which texts are read in English translation, introduce students to and make them familiar with the literature, history, mythology, art, archaeology, religion and philosophy of ancient Greece, Rome, and their broader Mediterranean contexts, as well as opportunities for more advanced or specialized study. All of the department's offerings challenge students both to confront the foreignness of these ancient cultures and to explore the profound connections between them and our own.

Students who major in Classics find it a rich and varied field in which every aspect of ancient Greek and Roman culture is considered worthy of study. There are two routes through the Classics major: Route A emphasizes more coursework in Greek and Latin, while Route B emphasizes more Classical Studies courses (see below). Majors and prospective majors should consult with the department’s chair, who is the formal adviser for every Classics major, and with other faculty in the department to ensure a well-balanced and comprehensive selection of Classics courses appropriate to their individual interests. They may also benefit from advice on courses offered in other departments which would complement their particular interests in Classics.