A student of classics will study the Greek and/or Latin languages while immersing themselves in the many facets of ancient culture. Our emphasis on languages hones analytical skills and brings them to bear upon a critical awareness of our past, thus enriching our understanding of the present.
Sewanee's Department of Classics prepares students to investigate the literature and culture of the Greco-Roman world, enabling them not only to appreciate the texts but also to interrogate them critically. Students take part in a dynamic dialogue whose roots in ancient culture continue to provide a foundation for confronting today's pressing issues.
The department strongly believes that the mastery of Greek and/or Latin provides the best window into the culture and ethos of the ancient world, and consequently each of our majors and minors is built upon this premise. Apart from the intellectual discipline, many students benefit from study of the foundational languages of the legal and medical professions and the hard sciences. The University is a member of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, and majors are encouraged to spend a semester studying there.
Sewanee graduates secure positions in a variety of fields. Some you would expect, others are a bit of a surprise. Sewanee prepares you for your profession and your passion. Below is a sampling of recent graduates' first jobs.
Sewanee graduates enjoy extraordinary acceptance rates to top graduate and pre-professional programs–about 95 percent to law school and over 85 percent to medical school. Below is a sampling of where Sewanee grads continue their education.