Classics

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Campus: St. John's Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Classics Honours available: Yes
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts; International bachelor of arts; Joint arts and science degree
Length: Four years
Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial. 


Classics explores the cultures and societies of ancient Greece and Rome within the broader context of the ancient Mediterranean. Such study is intrinsically multidisciplinary, encompassing Latin and ancient Greek texts, archaeology, intellectual history, material culture, the influence of Greco-Roman antiquity on later societies, and perspectives on gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic class. Classics is a discipline rooted in the past, yet relevant to the contemporary world and modern institutions. The study of classical antiquity and its subsequent traditions helps students make informed observations about the present and the future.

Classics at Memorial

Courses in the Department of Classics encompass a broad range of topics related to ancient Greece and Rome, from history and archaeology to literature, philosophy, and the arts. Our course offerings are especially strong in the areas of ancient technology, ancient medicine, ancient historiography, Greek and Roman literature, and classical reception studies. Recent projects include a language-teaching consortium with the Department of Classics at Dalhousie University and an ongoing collaboration with classicists at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Admission requirements

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose classics as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

Sample first year

Wondering what courses you would take in your first year? Check out a sample program of suggested courses for classics students.

Sample courses and degree map

CLAS 1051 - Gods in Classical Mythology
CLAS 2010 - Greek Art and Architecture
CLAS 3405 - Tragic Drama in Greece and Rome

Classics degree map

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

Career opportunities

A classics degree prepares you for a multitude of career options including:

  • museum worker
  • conservator/restorer
  • librarian
  • architect
  • textual editor

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.