What is Classics?

The field of Classics is devoted to the study of the cultures of the ancient Greeks and Romans.  The curriculum includes training in the Greek and Latin languages at the Elementary, Intermediate, and Seminar levels.  In addition, the department offers courses in Classical Hebrew and Sanskrit, and a range of courses on the history, literature, philosophy, religion, and cultural life of antiquity, including classes that explore the reception of the Classical past in later periods up to the present day.  The rigorous training in Greek and Latin that is the hallmark of Swarthmore's Classics program has meant that the department enjoys remarkable success in producing students who go on to become leaders in the field.  But because it is a truly interdisciplinary field, Classics also appeals to students with a wide variety of interests and career goals.