Classical Studies

Classics is an interdisciplinary field, encompassing the languages, literature, art, archaeology, history, philosophy, mythology, and religious lives of the Greeks and Romans in the broader ancient Mediterranean world. At John Carroll, we teach Latin and ancient Greek languages from the introductory to advanced levels. In the introductory sequence, you’ll build vocabulary and language skills (in English, too!) and explore ancient cultures. In the upper-level Latin and Greek classes you’ll read literature by many authors, from Homer to St. Perpetua.

In addition to Latin and Greek, we also offer classes about the ancient world that require no knowledge of the ancient languages. Classics courses examine the Athenian democratic experiment, the Roman Republic, Greek art, ancient drama, mythology, and even barbarians.

By helping you build strong thinking, writing, and speaking skills, a degree in classics will prepare you for any career: law, medicine, teaching, politics, business, and more.

Check out jcu_classics on Instagram!

What Will You Learn?

We focus on how to use words, how to look at art, and how to think about cultural contexts. You will interpret ancient myths that are foreign and yet very relevant to our own times. You will study religions, philosophies, and politics, all within the context of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Because it’s so interesting! By choosing classics, you can study every aspect of culture, through a lens of 2,000+ years. You can connect classics with any other field that interests you. Plus, ancient Greek and Latin have managed to survive this long, someone needs to be able to keep them going! Why not you?

Major in Classics: 36 credit hours

Classical Languages track: Nine three-credit courses in GK and/or LT at any level; CL 301 or 302; CL 410; and one elective CL course.

Classical Studies track: Six three-credit courses in GK and/or LT at any level, plus CL 220, CL 250, CL 330, or another approved literature course; two of the following: CL 301, CL 302, HS 205, HS 305, AH 317, or another approved CL, HS, or AH course; two of the following: PL 210, PL 215, TRS 200, TRS 205, TRS 301, TRS 316, TRS 329, or another approved PL or TRS course; CL 410.

CL 410 fulfills the capstone requirement for either track in the major and should be completed during the student’s junior or senior year.

Minor in Classical Studies: 18 credit hours. Six courses in any combination of GK, LT, CL, PL 210, TRS 205, AH 317, HS 205, HS 305, or other approved course focused on the ancient world.

For additional details, please contact the department or consult the most recent Undergraduate Bulletin.

Course descriptions are listed in the Undergraduate Bulletin under the following headings:

Classical Studies

Greek

Latin

The Castellano Scholarship is a competitive full-tuition, four-year scholarship available to entering students who have studied Latin and intend to major in Classical Languages. Many recipients of the Castellano Scholarship also major in a second field of their choice. We also offer the Miller Scholarship in Classical Archaeology and the Povsic Scholarship for Undergraduate Research. Learn more.

Gwendolyn Compton-Engle, Ph.D.
Professor of Classics

Kristen Ehrhardt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Classics

John Richards, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Classics

Beyond the Classroom

Mary Rose Flynn Receives 2020 Kiefer Award

Mary Rose Flynn has been named the 2020 recipient of the Joseph A. Kiefer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Classical Languages. Flynn, a senior from Valencia, PA, is a double major in History and Classical Languages, with a minor in Catholic Studies. Join us in celebrating Mary Rose.

Celebrating the Class of 2020

2020's class of Classics graduates are enthusiastic volunteers, dedicated students, and fearless adventurers. Their diverse experiences at JCU have prepared them to confidently meet careers and academic pursuits in a multicultural world. Please join us in celebrating the Class of 2020.

Kris Ehrhardt, PhD, is creative beyond the classroom

Dr. Kris Ehrhardt, Associate Professor of Classics, takes learning beyond books and lectures. Encouraging her students to build their own mini catapults is one way she fosters a maker mindset. Dr. Ehrhardt is creative in more than just the classroom activities that contributed to her receiving the 2018 Culicchia Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a multi-skilled maker in her own right. Dr. Ehrhardt is currently featured in Medium's Idle Musings column. Read about her adventures in Classical ceramics here, Classicists Build Things.

Faculty and students in a pottery studio

Classics Faculty and Students Get Creative

Classics students recently spent an afternoon at Brick Ceramic + Design Studio with Dr. Ehrhardt and Dr. Compton-Engle where they had the opportunity to create their own "ancient" pottery.

Latin students visit Cleveland Museum of Art

JCU at CMA

Dr. Emily Butler took Latin 375 students from the classroom to the museum for some practical experience. The students transcribed text from medieval Books of Hours on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art.