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Classics

Excellent preparation for law, medicine and more.

In Classics, you’re in an excellent position to take full advantage of an Augustana liberal arts education. Classics is the foundation for the liberal arts.

For your major or minor, choose Classics (Greek and Latin languages, history and literature) or Classical studies (Greek or Latin, plus history and literature). See also the minor in Biblical languages.

A tradition of strong advising supports student ambitions, and many Classics majors add a second major/minor. Classics pairs well with any field, and is practical background for law, medicine, seminary, library sciences and more.

Known for their superior problem-solving, Classics graduates catch the attention of employers. Recent Augustana grads entering positions in accounting, business or 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.

What you'll learn

Disciplinary knowledge

Disciplinary knowledge

Gain a deep understanding of your subject and how it connects to other subjects.

Intellectual curiosity

Intellectual curiosity

Set yourself up for lifelong intellectual growth. Take responsibility for your own learning.

Creative thinking

Creative thinking

Combine ideas to create something new. Use imaginative ways of solving problems.

Intercultural competence

Intercultural competence

Understand real and imaginary similarities and differences. Use more than one perspective to view issues.

Communication competence

Communication competence

Read and listen carefully. Express ideas (writing or speaking) suited to the audience.

Distinctions

• Classics majors may be invited to join Epsilon Sigma, Augustana’s chapter of the national Classics honor society Eta Sigma Phi. Members and other interested students also may join Collegia Classica, a student group that hosts activities in appreciation of and to promote interest in Greek and Roman civilizations and cultures.

• Augustana’s international programs range from yearlong exchange programs to 3.5-week June term. Classics majors often participate in international study — such as archaeological field schools in Greece, Italy and Bulgaria, the College Year in Athens program, and Augustana’s faculty-led programs in Greece and Rome (scheduled in June 2022). An Augie Choice $2,000 grant can help pay travel expenses.

• Thanks to devoted friends and professors emeriti, the Department of Classics hosts annual and ongoing events. The endowed Harry S.B. Johnson Fund and the Terence Fund for Classics are in honor of former Professor of Greek Harry S.B. Johnson and former Professor of Classics Jane Borelli, respectively. These endowed gifts support guest speakers and the Classics Club, Collegia Classica; provide institutional membership dues to the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, as well as individual student and contingent faculty memberships to the AIA; host a Classics banquet for majors, minors and prospective students; and fund end-of-term dinners.

Recent grads

Shawn Geison '21 is pursuing a graduate degree in Classics at the University of Iowa.

Sarah Litwin ’20 is a chemist at Stepan Company in Chicago.

Jamie Suiter ’20 is pursuing a doctor of chiropractic at Logan University in Chesterfield, Mo.

Katelyn Farrell '19 is an internal auditor at John Deere in Joliet, Ill.

Allan Daly ’18 is an analytic consultant at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.

Ethan Doan ‘18 is pursuing a master of divinity at United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia and is a PRN chaplain with Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Christopher Saladin ’17 is completing a doctorate in history at the University of Minnesota, where he specializes in the history of Roman North Africa and digital mapping.

Rachel Akmakjian ’16 is an account executive with M. Geller Ltd. in Chicago.

alan daly
More Than I Imagined Allan Daly
“Classics is a wonderful major that teaches you more about life than any other subject. It got me my internship, which got me into grad school.”
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Taylor Hayes
More Than I Imagined Taylor Hayes
“I used Augie Choice to study in Greece! This program was with both the art history and Classics program so it was perfect for me.”
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David Hundrieser
More Than I Imagined David Hundrieser
“Every step of the way, my Classics professors were willing to put aside time for me and explore potential opportunities.”
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2022 Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award winners announced

Kaitlin Jacobson's poem "crooked smile"” won the 23rd annual Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award at Augustana.

Kira Banks

A Classics case of an award-winning liberal arts experience

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. Emil Kramer receives lifetime achievement award

Dr. Emil Kramer has been honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Illinois Classical Conference (ICC), recognizing him for outstanding contributions to Classics in the state of Illinois.