Bishop’s University

Classical Studies

Discover The Classics Department

Socrates, Julius Caesar, Gladiators, the Olympic Games, the Sphinx…

A student in the Classical Studies department will enter the world of the ancient Mediterranean. We focus especially on ancient Greece and Rome and offer courses in the literature, mythology, history, culture, art, and archaeology. Students have the opportunity to learn Latin, the language of ancient Rome and medieval Europe, and Greek, the language of philosophy, tragedy, and the New Testament.

Acropolis ancient greece
Where can this lead you?

Career Possibilities

A Major in Classical Studies teaches you to read intelligently, to write well, to research topics, and to think critically. This is true for any degree in the Humanities, though, in our opinion, Classical Studies does it best!

Classical Studies, since it is the study of history and literature and culture and art and language, gives you a really well-rounded education. It is for this reason that Classical Studies used to be the only subject anyone bothered to teach at university.

People with Classical Studies degrees are well suited to become teachers, historians, archaeologists, editors, writers, data analysts, archivists, librarians, lawyers, doctors, biologists, and programmers.

Talk to one of our Academic Advisor
Scholarships, Awards, Bursaries displayed on a laptop
Money matters

Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries

Through the help of government, alumni, current students, faculty and staff, the Bishop’s Foundation, corporations and private donors, over 53% of our students receive financial assistance through scholarships, awards, grants, bursaries and loans. Just because you aren’t top of your class, or super involved outside the classroom, or can’t run the fastest doesn’t mean you won’t be eligible. We have hundreds of scholarships and awards that have a wide variety of requirements…you never know what you might receive!

Scholarships, Awards, Bursaries

Courses & Programs

Our program will enable you to explore the impact of ancient cultures on modern society. Many of our classes do not have prerequisites and thus we welcome students from all disciplines. In this regard most of the 200-level courses are suitable for students in their first year. All you need are interest and enthusiasm to begin your journey into the Classical past.

Timetable (list of courses by semester)
B.A. ProgramClassics Degrees: Honours, Major, Minors

Honours in Classical Studies consists of 60 credits and a requirement of at least 70% in Classical Studies courses; a minimum of 24 credits in Latin and Greek; a minimum of two third-year courses; an Honours thesis (6 credits- CLA 400a and 401b).

Majors in Classical Studies consists of 42 credits. Majors must take either CLA100 or CLA101, and a minimum of two third year courses.

Minor in Ancient Mediterranean Studies consists of 24 credits

Minor in Classical Languages consists of 24 credits in at least two of Hebrew, Greek or Latin, with at least 12 credits in one classical language.

Minor in Classical Art and Archaeology consists of 24 credits:

Category I: One of: CLA 120, CLA 238, and CLA 240;

Category II: Four of CLA 110, CLA 205, CLA 206, CLA 207, CLA 208;

Category III: One of: CLA 309, CLA 328, CLA 335, CLA 350, CLA 365, CLA 366;

Category IV: Two of: any other  CLA, LAT, or GRE courses.

Students may also choose to fulfil Category IV by taking any of the following courses: HIS 240, HIS 277, HIS 236, HIS 239, HIS 275, HIS 298.

Courses & Programs
Experiential LearningStudy Abroad in the Mediterranean: CLA309

While studying abroad, students will examine the societies that occupied the ancient Mediterranean world. Through visits to archaeological sites, museums, and/or work on archaeological field projects, they will study the societies’ religious and mortuary practices, economy, transportation routes, politics, and public and private life. Moreover, students will explore how these patterns evolved throughout time in response to landscape and environmental change that impacted movement, access, settlement occupation, and land use.

Information about the Summer 2022 CLA309 course will be available soon.

Popular Courses

The courses offered by the Classics department are supplemented by related courses in the departments of Philosophy, Religion, and the Liberal Arts.

  • Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt
  • Greek Art and Architecture
  • Introduction to Classical Archaeology
  • Rome: from the Republic to the Empire
  • Sex and Gender in the Ancient World
  • Beginners’ Latin
  • Beginners’ Greek
See the Academic Calendar for full list of courses

Resources

Exhibition The Pigeon and the Puddle: A Controversial Song, by Z'otz Collective

Foreman Art Gallery

A major resource for Bishop’s students, as well as for the larger community, is the Foreman Art Gallery, located adjacent to the Centennial Theatre. The Gallery mounts exhibitions of art historical interest and shows representative of new directions in contemporary art. The Foreman Art Gallery also provides paid internships for students throughout the academic year and in the summer as well.

Foreman Art Gallery
Students in the library
Your space, your resources, your library

Library Learning Commons

The Library Learning Commons (LLC) is located on the west side the Quad, at the heart of Bishop’s University. The LLC is designed to explore the rich intersections between learning, space, and technology. The Library maintains collections that support Bishop’s students, faculty, researchers, and campus community. In addition to the physical resources in the building, the Library subscribes to a vast collection of ebooks, online journals, and streaming services. Students enjoy spending time in the LLC and make use of the group study rooms, quiet reference room, and collaborative workspaces. Librarians are available for individual research assistance or group orientation sessions. Other services that can be found in the LLC include the ITS Helpdesk, Writing Centre, Teaching and Learning Centre classroom, peer mentoring at the Student Success Centre, and a Café.

Library Learning Commons
Photo of woman taking notes
Small class sizes and strong professor-student interaction

About your professors

Dr. Jenn Cianca’s research interests focus on the domestic art and architecture of the ancient Mediterranean, pilgrimage, and theories of space and place in the human experience. She teaches courses on the art and architecture of Greece and Rome, Roman religion, and sacred space. Dr. Catherine Tracy’s research focuses on the strategies employed by political agents in the Roman Republic. This includes the political decisions of the ordinary Roman voters, whose behaviour can be accessed indirectly through the published speeches, letters, and treatises of the politician Marcus Tullius Cicero. Intrigued?

Learn more about your professors

Questions?

Want to know more about studying Classical Studies?

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