Classics

Excellent preparation for law, medicine and more.

In Classics, you’re in an excellent position to take full advantage of an Augustana liberal arts education: Classics is a broad, interdisciplinary field focused on the study of ancient Greece and Rome, and encompassing everything from language and literature to history, religion, philosophy, art history, archaeology, mythology, drama, poetry and much, much more.

For your major or minor, choose Classics (which includes study of both the Greek and Latin languages) or Classical studies (focusing on Greek or Latin). We also offer a minor in Biblical languages.

Many Classics majors add a second major/minor. Classics pairs well with any field, and is practical background for careers in law, medicine, publishing, seminary and library sciences, but also provides benefits in more unexpected fields. Known for their superior problem-solving, Classics graduates catch the attention of employers. Recent Augustana grads entering positions in accounting, business, data analytics and health care have stood out for their major and their skills.

If your passion is purely Classics, you might pursue teaching or graduate study in Classics or archaeology, ancient history or philosophy, New Testament studies, comparative literature, or art history.

What you'll learn

**Disciplinary knowledge**

Gain a deep understanding of your subject and how it connects to other subjects.

**Intellectual curiosity**

Set yourself up for lifelong intellectual growth. Take responsibility for your own learning.

**Creative thinking**

Combine ideas to create something new. Use imaginative ways of solving problems.

**Intercultural competence**

Understand real and imaginary similarities and differences. Use more than one perspective to view issues.

**Communication competence**

Read and listen carefully. Express ideas (writing or speaking) suited to the audience.

Distinctions

Classics majors may be invited to join Augustana’s chapter of the national Classics honor society Eta Sigma Phi, as well as our own honorary society Glaux Aquila. Members and other interested students also may join Collegia Classica, a student group that hosts activities in appreciation of and to promote interest in Greek and Roman civilizations and cultures.
Augustana’s international programs range from 3-week June or January terms to year-long exchange programs. Classics majors often participate in Augustana’s faculty-led programs in Greece and Rome, while some take advantage of archaeological field schools in Greece, Italy and Bulgaria or the College Year in Athens program. A $2,000 Augie Choice grant can help pay travel expenses.
Thanks to devoted friends and professors emeriti, the Department of Classics hosts annual and ongoing events. The endowed Harry S.B. Johnson Fund and the Terence Fund for Classics are in honor of former Professor of Greek Harry S.B. Johnson and former Professor of Classics Jane Borelli, respectively. These endowed gifts support guest speakers and the Classics Club, Collegia Classica; provide institutional membership dues to the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, as well as individual student and contingent faculty memberships to the AIA; host a Classics banquet for majors, minors and prospective students; support student attendance at Classics conferences and events; and fund end-of-term dinners.

Recent grads

Kira Banks '23 is the community outreach coordinator at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network in Itasca, Ill.

Shawn Geison '21 is a rhetoric teaching assistant at the University of Iowa.

Sarah Litwin ’20 is a senior functional chemist at Stepan Company in Chicago.

Jamie Suiter ’20 is a chiropractic assistant at Spine, Sport, Injury Therapy Center in Davenport, Iowa.

Katelyn Farrell '19 is an internal auditor at John Deere in Joliet, Ill.

Allan Daly ’18 is an analytics consultant at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

Ethan Doan ‘18 is a PRN chaplain with Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia.

Christopher Saladin ’17 graduated from the University of Minnesota with his Ph.D. in ancient history in May 2023 and is an assistant visiting professor at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.