Considering a Course in Classical Studies?
The study of Classics is a joy to many as it is the study of the culture, literature, language, art, history, thought and daily life of the people who lived in the ancient world, especially ancient Greece and Rome.
By studying the Classics we can learn In many ways the world has been profoundly influenced by the people who came long before us and the study of the past helps us not only to learn more about our ancestors and the past but about ourselves and broadening our horizons.
Classics have long influenced modern-day society and we can see examples of this through the ages from Shakespeare to filmmakers and comic book writers – even Marvel and Disney have borrowed ideas from traditional texts and stories.
What are Classical Studies?
The Classics and Classical Studies is traditionally the study of ancient Greek and Latin languages and the Greek and Roman culture.
In broad terms, the Classics are the study of the culture characteristic of the period known as Classical Antiquity, which is roughly a thousand years or so between the Bronze Age of Ancient Greece and the fall of the Roman Empire. It encompasses all of the literature, language, history, and art within that time frame.
While knowledge of the original languages of the Classics is not required to study the Classics it does certainly help to bring context and a deeper understanding of the meaning and the origin of many words and concepts that we still use today. Many classicists believe that an understanding of these languages is a huge benefit to many other academic fields such as science, culture, history, and literature.
Why are Classical Studies so important?
The study of the Classics allows us to gain a better perspective on where we are today and how our modern-day society has come to be and indeed what it will be in the future as it evolves further.
Much of what we experience in our own lives has its origins in the ancient Greek and Roman world, from the architectural elements of our buildings to big ideas like athletics, philosophy, medicine, law, and democracy – understanding where all of these elements started and the reasoning for them existing at all allows us to continue to grow and expand, or update these ideas as research and technology develop.
What Will I Learn about Classical Studies?
- You will learn about clearly defined periods of Greek or Roman history, ancient culture, and literature.
- You will learn about classical architecture and topics such as Ancient Divination.
- You will learn about classic geographical areas and the expansion of empires and their effects on culture.
- You will learn about philosophy and the formation of philosophical systems and their impact on dialect, physics, and ethics.
- You will learn about classic languages such as Latin and Greek and the mythology that was an inherent part of the culture of the day.
Career Opportunities in Classical Studies
After completing your course in Classical Studies, you can expect to work as a Museum Archivist or Curator, Archaeologist, Art Dealer, Author, Educator, or Fundraising Campaign Manager. You may work in the fields of law, research, and academia, teaching, events, marketing, politics, or media.
If you’re serious about doing a course in Classical Studies or The Classics, check out courses in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.
