Classical Civilization
MIN
Why study Classical Civilization?
Classical civilization is the study of the culture, history, language, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Students in classical civilization develop language skills and enrich their lives through an interdisciplinary exploration of the Greek and Roman worlds. They study such things as mythology, philosophy, religion, politics, and other areas where the ancient Greeks and Romans made decisive contributions to world civilization.
Admission Requirements
Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the minor to their program. Be sure to submit a declaration of the minor using our online form.
In addition, you must meet with the program director so that the department is aware that you are pursuing the minor and can advise you appropriately. Do this early enough to avoid delay in obtaining your minor.
Classical civilization students possess an eye for detail, curiosity about languages -- including their own -- and love of history. Some well-known students, past and recent, are:
- Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud;
- Theodor Mommsen and Toni Morrison (both recipients of the Nobel Prize for literature);
- Oscar Wilde, Erich Segal ("Love Story"), and J.K. Rowling ("Harry Potter");
- Garry Wills (Catholic cultural critic) and Archbishop Pilarczyk of Cincinnati;
- David Packard (of Hewlett-Packard) and Charles Geschke (founder of Adobe);
- James Baker (former secretary of state)
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research, and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.
The Department of Classics at the University of Cincinnati offers a unique and dynamic environment, thanks to the generous patronage of the Semple Classics Fund, a bequest of Louise Taft Semple, established "for promoting the study of Classics in an endeavor to make vital and constructive in the civilization of our country the spiritual, intellectual, and esthetic inheritance we have received from Greek and Roman civilizations."
Among other things, the Semple Classics Fund supports:
- the John Miller Burnam Classical Library, the largest such library in the world;
- a large number of graduate students;
- a world-class faculty.
It also awards Semple Scholarships to outstanding undergraduates in classics or classical civilization at the University of Cincinnati and the Semple Traveling Scholarships for a period of undergraduate study abroad, especially in Athens and Rome.
The Department of Classics has an international reputation as a leader in the field of Greek Bronze Age archaeology. It is particularly known for its excavations at Troy and Pylos under the direction of Carl Blegen. This tradition of excellence in archaeology continues today with current field projects at Pylos, Apollonia (Albania), and Episkopi-Bamboula (Cyprus).
If you have declared the minor, then it will appear on your application for graduation. Apply for graduation as you normally would for your bachelor’s degree.
Contact Information
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Program Code: 15MIN-CLCV-MIN