Classical Studies

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Program TypeMinor
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SchoolSchool of Arts & Sciences
Discover the harmony of classical ideals in the contemporary world.
What You'll Learn
Our students learn to appreciate the enduring appeal of classical art forms, explore and analyze classical — poetic, philosophical, and rhetorical — texts, and develop intermediate knowledge of a classical language. Our graduates critically understand the classical world’s contribution to the development of Western intellectual and cultural traditions.
- Understand the roots of the liberal arts.
Develop in the areas of language, communications, and fine arts by participating in the tradition of the trivium — the basis for a liberal arts education.
- Strengthen your language skills.
Your study of a classical language will refine your mental precision, enhance your capacity for abstract thought, and improve your ability to communicate effectively.
- Develop your aesthetic sensibility.
Immersing yourself in the foundational art forms of Western culture will inform your understanding of modern culture.
Program Information
Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.
Featured Faculty

Kathleen Kirsch, PhD
Assistant Professor of Classics and Catholic Studies, Director of the Summer Latin Institute
A Minnesota native and the oldest of five, my education and formation inspired in me a love of truth and a desire to learn. As an educator, I strive to pass on those gifts. In addition to my scholarship and teaching, I love to sing, to hike, to bake, to discover new cuisines, and to live up to my vocation to be the glory of God as a (wo)man fully alive (cf. St. Iranaeus). In my travels, I’ve visited or lived in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Spain.