If you have a passion for history, a love of mythology, or a talent for languages, a degree in Classical Studies may be a good fit for you. Our Classical Studies students take many different paths as they study the ancient world and its languages, with majors in Greek, Latin, and Classical Civilization.

Latin and Greek majors explore the literature, language, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome by reading ancient literature in the original languages and exploring the traditions that influenced ancient writers. Majors in Classical Civilization study different facets of the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome, including their literature, mythology, history, art, and architecture. Minors are also available in these same areas.

Our degrees span a variety of interests and prepare students with translatable skills to pursue diverse career paths. You will gain analytical problem-solving and critical thinking skills when you put on your detective hat to make sense of incomplete data and fragments of ancient documents. You’ll explore approaches for organizing information, enhance your communication skills, and obtain hands-on expertise with archaeological experience and museum work. Your Classical Studies education will prepare you for the careers of today and for those that emerge in the future. It is also excellent preparation for graduate school.

You can choose to study abroad or participate in archaeological work around the Mediterranean for course credit. We are fortunate to be able to give scholarships, awarded in an annual competition, to our majors that support coursework in both Bloomington and in the classical lands that we study. In addition to department events, the Bloomington campus also offers a rich array of cultural opportunities, from an art museum with a fine collection of Greek and Roman art to performances at the Indiana University Theatre and Opera, which often feature classical works.