Majors at the University of Connecticut

Classics & Mediterranean Studies

Classics and Ancient Mediterranean studies is an interdisciplinary major that provides a solid foundation for a study in law and other highly analytical types of work. The study of classics embraces the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and includes the fields of literature, art, archaeology, philosophy, history, political theory, law, and religion. This major emphasizes the broad spectrum of classical culture and civilization with the opportunity to study classical languages. Naturally the major is divided into two concentrations: classics, which focuses on the languages of Ancient Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew; and Ancient Mediterranean studies, which focuses on the culture and history of the respective civilizations.

Coursework in classics and Ancient Mediterranean studies may explore classical mythology, the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. It may involve the reading and analysis of various forms of classical poetry, folklore, and a comparative examination of mythology and psychoanalytical theory. This area of study also usually involves the study of a classical language such as Latin, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Russian, or German.

W.E.B. DuBois, Toni Morrison, Sigmund Freud, Jane Addams, and Betty Friedan are all prominent individuals who majored in classics. What are the benefits of a major in classics? Here is what some individuals from a cross representation of various professions had to say, “…a strong vocabulary and the ability to write…Practically any term in medicine comes from Latin or Greek, which allows me to memorize complicated words or phrases more easily” (Medical Student). “Classics gives a perspective on life of beauty and greatness of the Roman and Greek culture—arts, philosophy, literature, leadership, etc” (Owner of business consulting firm). “I found law school a breeze because of the discipline and hard work habits I developed in Classics. My awareness of linguistic processes and details is a constant strength in reading and thinking” (Law School/Texas Legislature).

Academic Department

• UConn's Department of Modern and Classical Languages

Nature of Work

The nature of the work that someone with a major in classics may undertake will vary depending upon each person’s specific area of interest and his/her individual ambitions. However, generally speaking, the study of classics is widely recognized as an excellent preparation for several fields. It has been proven to be directly correlated with advanced studies in law, medicine, business, education, publishing, social work, communications, and the arts. The general study of classics, coupled with the learning of the Latin language, has also been proven through various research studies, to place students at an advantage when taking the GRE for graduate school, the MCATS for medical school, and the LSATS for law school.

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

Potential employers for classics majors will vary depending upon what area of work each individual is interested in pursuing. However, some general examples of where classics majors typically find themselves employed include: museums, theaters, historical societies, universities/colleges, libraries, state and local governments, publishing companies, law firms, hospitals or medical centers, and non-profit, and international, global, and/or human rights based organizations.

Useful Skills

With a major in classics, students are provided with very marketable skills. Such skills include: a historical and interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary issues, the ability to analyze and synthesize written arguments and data, precision in reading and writing, the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively, and the ability to use computers as research tools. Furthermore, students become extremely articulate, as they possess grammatical accuracy and a large working vocabulary.

Getting Experience

Typically, those who graduate with a classics major pursue higher educational degrees and therefore encounter many employment opportunities. However, there are also jobs available with a bachelor’s degree. These varying opportunities may consist of work in some type of legal forum, an educational setting either at the high school or college level and in a non profit organization that addresses advocacy issues either on a state, national, or global level.

It is important when exploring various employment options to consider prospective types of work that capitalize on the transferable skills that you have gained as a classics major. Some examples may include:

• College of Liberal Arts Professor/Foreign Language Teacher/ Educational Researcher - The ability to comprehend and provide instruction on various theoretical concepts; the ability to conduct research and to convey the written results through both a written forum and verbal presentation.
• Museum Curator/Historian/Librarian/Information Specialist - A strong historical knowledge base pertaining to various forms of art and literature; analytical, organizational, research, interpersonal, and some technological skills are required.
• Publisher/Poet/Book Editor/Journalist/Publicist - These positions involve the ability to comprehend and write in various forms of literary genre; the possession of analytical skills, persuasive writing skills, and the ability to formulate thoughts creatively are very important in these fields.

Employment Opportunities

The most effective way to gain experience and to develop a further understanding of the actual practical applications of a major in classics that are available to you are through shadowing, volunteer, or internship opportunities.

In addition, one can gain experience through doing research as well as assisting in the teaching of any classics courses. Another opportunity that can be beneficial is studying abroad, where you can learn in your country of interest about the language and culture. In studying abroad, your first-hand experiences can provide you with new insights into the origins of western civilization.

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