Yay!

Canisius College will introduce a new bachelor’s degree in classics, the study of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and the Greek and Latin languages, in fall 2010.

The new classics major will prepare students for graduate work in the field and also train a new generation of Latin teachers to meet increasing demand across the United States and Canada. The new major enhances the study of classics at Canisius, which already supports two popular classics minors. The classics major also aims to attract a greater number of academically gifted students to Canisius, and provide additional support and visibility to the college’s quality academic programs.

Students may choose one of two tracks within the new classics major: Greek and Hellenic studies or Latin and Roman studies. Course work in each track includes components of classical language, history and literature, as well as art history, philosophy, political science, and religious studies and philosophy.

“The study of classics is an integral part of a liberal arts education and of a Jesuit education in particular,” says Thomas Banchich, PhD, professor and chair of the Classics Department at Canisius College. “Classics develops in students an understanding of the historical dimension of the human condition and of the complex relationships between religion, language, philosophy and social structures, as well as the legacy of classical antiquity.”

The acceptance rate into graduate programs and professional schools is consistently high for classics students. Canisius classics alumni have entered medical schools, law schools and graduate programs in many humanities fields. They have become university presidents, directors of major publishing companies, bankers, scientists, software designers, classics professors and high school Latin teachers.

via: Fall Semester Brings New Major In Classics | Canisius College