Classics
The goal of the Classics Department is to offer students an inclusive view of the ancient world and its relation to contemporary society through a focus on classical languages or classical studies.
About the Major
Concentrators pursue two of the following three areas in depth: Ancient Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies. Courses go beyond the traditional study of the languages and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome to provide a broader view of the ancient world and its relation to our own time. The skills students acquire are transferable to a wide variety of contexts.
Students Will Learn To:
- Analyze sources, whether textual or material, in their social and historical contexts
- Demonstrate comprehension of texts written in the target language (Ancient Greek or Latin)
- Compose original scholarly arguments using appropriate research methods and types of evidence
- Critically engage with the discipline's history
- Productively juxtapose the classical past with modernity
A Sampling of Courses
Pompeii
Provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the field of classical studies, focused through the Roman site of Pompeii and the eruption of Vesuvius in 70 CE. Through Pompeii, its destruction, and its remarkable level of preservation, we will study the art, architecture, archaeology, literature, philosophy, religion, history, daily life, sexuality, food, and social structures of Rome, as well as the place of Rome in the modern imagination. Students will gain a comprehensive overview of the many approaches and sub-disciplines represented within classical studies.
Explore these select courses:
An introduction to the language and culture of ancient Rome. Thorough grounding in Latin grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Reading and discussion of elementary passages that cast light on the society and culture of ancient Rome and its empire. No knowledge of Latin required.
Meet Our Faculty
Latin epic poetry, didactic poetry, drama, and reception studies
Greek History, Roman Republican History, Ancient Economics and Long Distance Trade, Inter-state Relationships, Numismatics, Ethnicity and Race, Nabataean History and Archaeology, Power Display in Political Hierarchies
Greek and Roman comedy; Greek and Roman gender and sexuality; Greek archaeology
Roman imperial literature, the Greek and Roman novel, ancient medicine, and Greek papyrology
Early Christianity Late Antiquity New Testament Ancient Judaism
Roman historiography and rhetoric, early Christian historiography and doctrinal development, Late Antiquity, Greek and Roman educational methods, Latin lexicography
Ancient comedy, ancient gender and sexuality, classical reception studies, pedagogy
Careers After Hamilton
Hamilton graduates who concentrated in classics are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:
- Latin Teacher, Wellesley Middle School
- Assistant Professor of Classics, University of Southern Maine
- Attorney
- Principal Dancer, Kansas City Ballet
- President, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
- Manager, Books & Manuscript Dept., Sotheby’s
- Marketing Director, Hewlett Packard Co.
- Veterinarian
Explore Hamilton Stories
Haley Collaborates With Netflix on Queen Cleopatra
Professor Emerita of Classics and Africana Studies and Edward North Chair of Greek and Greek Literature, consulted with Netflix on the docuseries “Queen Cleopatra.” Haley’s scholarship on Cleopatra has been cited in op-eds in the Guardian and the New York Times, and the NYT has featured articles on her contributions to the series, which debuted on May 10.
Classics Students Present at Annual Conference
Six Hamilton students recently shared their work at Parilia, an undergraduate classics conference in honor of the founding of Rome, traditionally dated to April 21, 753 BCE.
Nine Faculty Honored With Dean's Scholarly Achievement Awards
Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo recognized nine faculty members with Dean’s Scholarly Achievement Awards in three categories — career achievement, early career achievement, and notable year — at the May 6 faculty meeting.
Contact
Department Name
Classics Department
Contact Name
Jesse Weiner, Chair
Clinton, NY 13323
