Utah State Classics


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.

: 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.

: 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