Sample Courses
- Early China, Ancient Greece examines the relationship between knowledge and wisdom in literature produced by two different ancient civilizations, Greece and China, from 1000 BCE to 86 CE.
- Classical Comedy analyzes Old Comedy and Middle Comedy in the style of Aristophanes, and New Comedy in the styles of Menander and Roman drama, in juxtaposition with Euripidean satyr drama and melodrama.
- Ancient Society and Culture examines cultural, scientific, political, economic
issues of the ancient world, including laws and legal systems,
slavery, sports and civic life, constitutions, and music and dance.
- Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory explores rhetorical theory from fifth-century Athens to Rome with an emphasis on the role of persuasive speaking in politics and education.
Hands On Learning
When Chad Timms was a senior classics major in 2002, he took courses in art history, ancient history,
and modern Greek. Then he spent the spring term in Athens, where he saw classical artwork and ancient ruins using a pass that
allowed him, as a student of the classics, free access to all the museums
and landmarks in Greece. He also traveled to several islands in the Aegean Sea.
The trip allowed Timms to explore the ancient lands he studied in the UO classics department. He calls the trip “a nice closure to all my time in the classroom.” Timms plans to teach high school Latin and to eventually
earn a master’s degree.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities
Classics is by nature an inter-disciplinary major. You’ll study history, language, literature, and art. The varied subjects give you a comprehensive understanding of the classics and ancient civilizations.