Classics

Academics

Academics

The Department of Classics provides instruction in Ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit and Modern Greek languages, literatures, history, culture and philosophy. Our department offers an undergraduate degree in Classics that includes several optional “tracks,” as well as a graduate degrees in Classics.

Why Study Classics?

Members of the Brown Classics community explain what Classical Studies means to them and why they chose this subject.

Classics at Brown

Undergraduate Study

Classics focuses on the languages, literature, history and culture of Greco-Roman antiquity. It provides specialized training for students intending to enter graduate school, and a broad liberal education for those with more general interests.

Oxford Reference defines Classical Studies as: "a branch of the humanities that is primarily concerned with the ancient civilizations of the Greeks and the Romans, as well as many contemporary Mediterranean cultures, and particularly the extensive body of literature and archaeological remains that these cultures passed on to us."

Who Else Studied Classics?

There are a number of prominent people who studied, majored, or minored in Classics. Here are just a few names that you may recognize:

  • W.E.B. Du Bois, Harvard College – Sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, writer, one of the founders of the NAACP
  • John Wesley Gilbert, Brown University – Classicist, archaeologist, first African American to receive a master's degree from Brown University 
  • Tom Hiddleston, University of Cambridge – Actor, producer, music performer
  • Toni Morrison, Howard University – Author, 1993 winner of Nobel Prize in Literature
  • Tim Blake Nelson, Brown University - Actor, writer, director (starred as Delmar O'Donnell in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
  • Ruth Padel, Lady Margaret Hall Oxford – Poet, novelist
  • J.K. Rowling, University of Exeter – Author of the Harry Potter book series
  • Lynn Sherr, Wellesley College – Broadcast journalist, former ABC 20/20 correspondent
  • Raymond Joseph Teller (“Teller”), Amherst College – Illusionist, entertainer, half of comedy magic duo Penn & Teller
  • Ted Turner, Brown University – Media mogul, founder of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
  • Oscar Wilde, Trinity University – Playwright, poet, author