CLASS-BA - Classics (BA)

The mission of the undergraduate program in Classics is to provide students with a broad background centered on the literature and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, including Greek and Latin language, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology. At Stanford, students in the Classics program also explore the connections between ancient cultures and the modern world, as well as specialized fields such as ancient economics, law, papyrology, and science. The program’s faculty approaches Classics from an interdisciplinary perspective that crosses geographical, temporal, and thematic territories. The program is concerned not only with Greek and Roman civilization but also with the interaction of cultures and societies that influenced the ancient Mediterranean basin and continue to influence human society across the globe.

Those interested in majoring in Classics are encouraged to declare by spring of sophomore year but are urged to discuss their plans with the Director of Undergraduate Studies as early as possible. Students who choose the Greek and Latin field of study should begin the curriculum as soon as possible because it is challenging to complete the language requirements without an early start; those with no previous knowledge of Latin or Greek should begin study in the freshman year, in a summer program following freshman year, or at the beginning of the sophomore year.