Classics

The field of Classics embraces all aspects of Greek and Roman culture from the prehistoric to the medieval period. Through the study of classical literature, history, philosophy, art history, and archaeology, students gain an understanding of the culture and ideals of the Greco-Roman world. Students who study classics at the undergraduate and graduate level have notable success in acceptance into graduate schools and in the job market. By studying the primary languages and participating in archaeological excavation, students can engage with the Greeks and Romans in a direct and scholarly manner.

5
Undergraduate Major Concentrations
3
Undergraduate Minor Concentrations
2
MA Concentrations
What You Can do with a Degree in Classics: Photo of student writing in notebook

What You Can do with a Degree in Classics

A bachelor’s degree in classics prepares students for a variety of careers, from language teachers to lawyers, data scientists to museum curators or librarians. Students leave with developed analytical skills, both through the study of the primary languages and that of classics in English translation. Our graduating students have gone on to succeed in schools of law, medicine, and business.

A Program Focused on You

Ryan Franklin

“The University of Oregon Classics faculty emphasized in their pedagogy personal excellence, critical thinking, cooperation, and good humor. Whether you want to continue in Classics or move on to a new profession, you'll benefit, like me, from this faculty's focus on shaping students into both good thinkers and good people.”

—Ryan Franklin,
Classics M.A., 2014

Our Degree Programs

There are five different tracks for the Classics major, all designed to accommodate the needs and interests of our students. Students can choose to focus on the ancient languages by choosing the Greek, Latin, or Greek and Latin concentration tracks. We also offer students a way to study classics in English through our Classical Civilization concentration track, and material culture through the Classical Archaeology concentration track. Students intending to major in Classics are encouraged to begin studying Greek and/or Latin as soon as possible.

Classics professor Cristina Calhoon lecturing in front of blackboard

Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty have a diverse range of research and teaching specialties, from Greek and Roman poetry and prose, to ancient philosophy and science and classical archaeology. Classics faculty have won several teaching awards, and our faculty members maintain strong research profiles. Learn more about their ongoing research and publications below.

Real World Experience

Get Real-world Experience

In addition to providing opportunities to study the ancient Greeks and Romans through language and literature, we encourage students to get involved in archaeological excavation. The extraordinary generosity of the Lowenstam family and other donors has provided support to students in their travels to archaeological digs and professional conferences.

Scholarships & Funding

In addition to student support for conferences and archaeological digs, the Lowenstam family has also supported an annual essay prize, honoring the late Professor Steven Lowenstam, which is awarded to the best Classics paper of the year. The department also awards the Pascal Prize in honor of the late Professor C. Bennet Pascal, to the top graduating Latinist. At the graduate level, we offer paid Graduate Employee positions to qualified graduate students.

Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

The Department of Classics is small, with the atmosphere of a liberal-arts college. Faculty take the time to advise and mentor interested students during their time at the UO. Using internship and research opportunities, faculty can help guide students towards their academic goals. Tykeson Advising should be students’ first stop to creating their graduation and academic plans for their time at the university.

Undergraduate Advising
Support for Graduate Students

The Department of Classics greatly appreciates the generous gifts made by many of its alumni and friends. These gifts strengthen our department by enhancing our academic programs for both undergraduate and graduate students and facilitating faculty teaching and research.

Donations are used to support a variety of academic projects such as: undergraduate scholarships, visiting speaker series, faculty fellowships, faculty and graduate student research awards, and faculty recruitment.

Give to the Department of Classics

If you would like to make a donation to the department, please give online or write a check payable to the University of Oregon Foundation with a note indicating the gift is for the Department of Classics and mail it to the following address:

University of Oregon Foundation
360 E. 10th Avenue, Suite 202
Eugene, OR 97401

*Please include a note in the Additional Comments box on that website specifying that the gift is for the Department of Classics.

A thank you to our Donors:

Scott Altenhoff, ’92
Dorisann and John Clark
Adrienne and Robert Darrah, ’01
Susan ’74 and John Flowerree ’72
Kevin Foerstler
Maradee and Barry Girt, ’85
Ruth and Richard Goldstein
Leland Hall
Heath Hutto, ’03
Thomas Locascio
Susan and Michael Lowenstam
Ilse Lowenstam-Lieberman
Stephen Pethick, Ph.D., PC
Natalie Simon, ’10

Classics News and Events

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Let's Talk - Wednesdays 2-4PM @ BCC
Dec6
Let's Talk - Wednesdays 2-4PM @ BCC Dec 6 Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
Special Collections Research Fellows Speaker Series: Zoey Kambour, 2023 Martha Thorsland Baker Fellow
Dec21
Special Collections Research Fellows Speaker Series: Zoey Kambour, 2023 Martha Thorsland Baker Fellow Dec 21
Reading by Claire Luchette & Morgan Thomas
Jan10
Reading by Claire Luchette & Morgan Thomas Jan 10 Knight Library
Special Collections Research Fellows Speaker Series
Jan18
Special Collections Research Fellows Speaker Series Jan 18
New Media and Culture Certificate Open House
Jan22
New Media and Culture Certificate Open House Jan 22 Knight Library
Never Convicted, Never Prosecuted: How Traitors Wrote Their Way Out of Prison and Into Lost Cause Mythology
Jan30
Never Convicted, Never Prosecuted: How Traitors Wrote Their Way Out of Prison and Into Lost Cause Mythology Jan 30 McKenzie Hall
Winter Career & Internship Expo
Feb1
Winter Career & Internship Expo Feb 1 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Guest Worker: Lives across Borders in an Age of Prosperity, 1919-75
Feb13
Guest Worker: Lives across Borders in an Age of Prosperity, 1919-75 Feb 13 McKenzie Hall
Poetry Reading by Aaron Baker 
Feb14
Poetry Reading by Aaron Baker  Feb 14 Knight Library
Pierson Lecture
Feb27
Pierson Lecture Feb 27 McKenzie Hall

All events »