In Classics, you’re in an excellent position to take full advantage of an Augustana liberal arts education: Classics is a broad, interdisciplinary field focused on the study of ancient Greece and Rome, and encompassing everything from language and literature to history, religion, philosophy, art history, archaeology, mythology, drama, poetry and much, much more.
For your major or minor, choose Classics (which includes study of both the Greek and Latin languages) or Classical studies (focusing on Greek or Latin). We also offer a minor in Biblical languages.
Many Classics majors add a second major/minor. Classics pairs well with any field, and is practical background for careers in law, medicine, publishing, seminary and library sciences, but also provides benefits in more unexpected fields. Known for their superior problem-solving, Classics graduates catch the attention of employers. Recent Augustana grads entering positions in accounting, business, data analytics and health care have stood out for their major and their skills.
If your passion is purely Classics, you might pursue teaching or graduate study in Classics or archaeology, ancient history or philosophy, New Testament studies, comparative literature, or art history.
Disciplinary knowledge
Gain a deep understanding of your subject and how it connects to other subjects.
Intellectual curiosity
Set yourself up for lifelong intellectual growth. Take responsibility for your own learning.
Creative thinking
Combine ideas to create something new. Use imaginative ways of solving problems.
Intercultural competence
Understand real and imaginary similarities and differences. Use more than one perspective to view issues.
Communication competence
Read and listen carefully. Express ideas (writing or speaking) suited to the audience.
Laurence Pavlik ’24 is a graduate student in Classics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he serves as a Teaching Assistant in a class on minority receptions of Classics.
Kira Banks '23 is Community Outreach Coordinator at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, as well as a graduate student at the University of Illinois Chicago pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH). Her concentration is on Health Policy & Administration and she is also working toward a Global Health certificate. In the summer of 2025, Kira will be conducting Public Health research in Morocco.
Ezekiel Aurelius '22 has received a 10-month Masa Israel Teaching Fellowship, and starting in the fall of 2025, will be teaching English to elementary or middle school aged students in Bat Yam, Israel.
Shawn Geison '21 is a rhetoric teaching assistant at the University of Iowa.
Sarah Litwin ’20 Greenberg is a research and development manager for Meridian Adhesives in Chicago.
Jamie Suiter '20 is a chiropractor at Stanfield Chiropractic in Effingham, Illinois.
Katelyn Farrell '19 is a lead internal auditor at John Deere in Joliet, Illinois.
Allan Daly ’18 is an analytics consultant at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.
Reverend Ethan Doan ‘18 is an ordained minister Candidate of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Philadelphia.
Victoria Karnes '18 is a Senior Library Specialist at the Governors State University Library in University Park, Illinois. Among other things, she oversees the maintenance and creation of the Library's informational and instructional materials.
Eileen Ruppel-Doan '18 is the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Chris Saladin ’17 is an assistant professor of history at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Liz Johnson ’10 is the VP of Compliance and BSA Officer for The Bank of New Glarus in New Glarus, WI.
“My Classics advisor Dr. Day made my Classics major a reality despite my initial disbelief.”Read More
“The excellent faculty in physics and Classics played a major role in helping me get to where I am now.”Read More
“I could have never imagined the socially and academically confident student that I am today.”Read More
Carly Davis's poem "Seattle Song" won the 24th annual Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award at Augustana.
Kaitlin Jacobson's poem "crooked smile"” won the 23rd annual Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award at Augustana.
Kira Banks '23 came to Augustana to study biology and public health and, as often happens at a liberal arts school, discovered a passion for a seemingly unrelated major — Classics. Read about her recent award.
Dr. Danielle Fatkin will present "Understanding Baptism: Its Origins in Roman Judaea and Why They Matter."
