Explore all aspects of culture and languages of ancient Greece and Rome, their interaction with the rest of the Mediterranean world and their influence today by majoring or minoring in Classics, Greek or Latin. You’ll have multiple chances to take courses in the history, learn Greek or Latin and gain insight both about antiquity and about the world in which we live.
Majors: Religious Studies and Classics
“The classics program at HWS is wonderful! There is a lot of flexibility in the program so students are able to focus on their interests in Latin, Greek and/or classical studies more specifically. For me, classics (and especially Latin) complements my religious studies major really well. Plus, translating ancient languages is super cool!”
Classics students looking to engage more in their work can study and complete Honors and research projects in their chosen topic with the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Past examples of Honors projects include:
Explore immigration policy shifts at the Intercultural Affairs Center or learn about job opportunities with the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education.
At Hobart and William Smith, learning goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. You’ll gain high-impact practical experience that deepens learning and opens doors.
Amplify your Classics degree with the skills, knowledge and ethical foundation needed to be a leader in the 21st century. In partnership with the Centennial Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, our department offers the opportunity to engage in leadership development that culminates in a degree with leadership distinction and provides a competitive edge when applying to internships, jobs and graduate or professional school.
To graduate with leadership distinction, you will complete a series of foundational, action-oriented and reflective milestones within the Classics and Leadership curriculum. We encourage you to begin your leadership journey as early as your second semester on campus.
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Study Roman politics in England or Greek art in Denmark.
Wherever you go, our top-ranked global education program will allow you to apply classroom knowledge, develop cultural understanding and build global connections that expand your personal capacity and sense of purpose.
Build your understanding of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds and what their legacies mean today. Students looking for a larger language component to their studies can major or minor in Greek or Latin.
Study ancient creation myths, the mythology of the Olympian gods and Greek heroic and epic saga.
Read one of the canonical gospels in the original Greek and the other three in English translation.
Learn the fundamentals of Latin grammar and gain experience reading Latin.
Investigate the histories of practices of museums from a decolonial perspective while building the skills necessary to work in the industry through the Critical Museum Studies minor. You'll get to follow tracks like history museums and art museums and galleries that will allow you to focus on the issues and practices most relevant to the type of cultural space that most interests you. Students in all tracks gain experience with installation techniques, designing, cataloging, collections management, and writing exhibit labels. You'll leave prepared to work in and think critically about a variety of fields.
As a swimmer, double major and student who spent a whole year studying abroad, Elizabeth was the definition of saying yes to opportunities while at HWS. Her work at the Colleges, including completing an Honors project with an hour and a half oral exam, helped prepare her to become one of only two students accepted to University of California at Berkeley’s Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology integrated M.A./Ph.D. program.
