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Home > Academic Departments > Classical Studies

Classical Studies

"The unexamined life is not worth living."
- Socrates, Plato's Apology

Students of the Classics at Millsaps graduate with a knowledge that we can never escape a sense of our past...nor should we wish to. The powerful traditions of Greece and Rome, especially in the realms of literature, art, philosophy, and religion, still permeate our lives: to know ourselves, we must know them.

• Students have the unique opportunity to travel to Greece or Rome each Spring in conjunction with Greek and Roman Legacy classes.
• Professors in the department are all from top-notch programs and universities.
• We are the only department in the South that regularly includes the teaching of Sanskrit and non-western materials in its curriculum.
• Classical Studies is an active member of MIIAR- the new Millsaps Institute for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research-enabling students to do active archaeological field study at a number of sites around the globe.
• Graduates have won Fulbrights and numerous other fellowships and awards for graduate study.
• We are the only department in the USA that has had two recipients of the prestigious American Philological Association Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Classics.
• Unlike large institutions, Classical Studies at Millsaps College offers classical education in an intimate setting where faculty and resources are readily accessible to undergraduates.
• Unlike many small institutions, Millsaps boasts an interdisciplinary faculty capable of integrating several aspects of the ancient, medieval and modern worlds.

What Can I Do with a Degree in Classics?

We respond, "What CAN'T you do with a Classics degree?"

Our alumni have used their undergraduate training in Classical Studies in nearly every field of work and advanced study. Here are some examples:

K-12 Teaching
Teaching is a rewarding way of continuing the Classical tradition. According to the American Classical League, there is a critical shortage of qualified Latin teachers at all levels, in both public and private schools. Latin can also be an excellent secondary field for teachers who specialize in math or history, for example.

Medicine
The study of Latin and Greek provides an excellent linguistic background and gives students the thinking skills crucial for a variety of medical careers.

Law
Classics also prepares students thoughly for law school, since the study of Greek and Latin hones the analytical and interpretative skills that are necessary in legal investigation.

Business
Are you surprised to find out that many Classics students go on to successful careers in business, accounting and even marketing?

Behavioral Sciences
Psychologists and social workers know that by reading the great works of Greece and Rome, they gain empathy and a greater understanding of the human condition.

Humanities Ph.D.s
Naturally, Classical Studies provides an essential training for students wishing to pursue advanced degrees in Classical Philology and Archaeology. But undergraduate Classics majors also earn PhDs in a wide range of fields including Theology, Philosophy, Library Science, Comparative Literature, English, History and Medieval Studies.

What career is the best for you?
In our unique junior seminar, students have the opportunity to contemplate how Classical Studies opens new avenues for forging a meaningful professional life.