The University of Wyoming prepares students for life in an increasingly global world.
The classics minor program provides students with an understanding of classical Greek and Roman civilizations, literature and political thought. All of which form the basis of Western belief systems, social norms and ethical values.
Tuition and Fees
Program Requirements
As a classical civilizations minor, students develop an interdisciplinary understanding of Classical Greek and Roman material, intellectual and cultural traditions that have shaped Western systems and values.
A classical civilizations minor offers a vital perspective on the breadth of human history, spanning from the 16th century BCE to the 5th century CE. Examining connections between Europe, Asia and Africa and their enduring impact, especially in postclassical receptions, provides valuable insights for addressing 21st-century challenges. This minor cultivates critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of historical patterns, equipping individuals to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world and make informed decisions in the present and future.
Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree program to participate in the classic civilizations minor.
At least 12 credit hours from the minor program cannot be counted toward a College of Arts and Sciences major. However, courses over this 12 credit hour requirement may be double counted toward a major program and the classics minor.
A classical civilizations minor is excellent preparation for rigorous professional programs in anthropology, archaeology, education, history, law, medical sciences, public policy or classics.
Classical Civilizations Minor Careers
Here are some of the job titles that UW classics and modern language graduates have pursued:
An education in classical civilizations helps students understand the world around them — including how modern systems and values came to be.
Fieldwork and Experiential Learning
Students work one-on-one with faculty to find meaningful fieldwork that aligns with their interests. Many classics students participate in fieldwork programs through the Archaeological Institute of America. The American Academy in Rome and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens also offer programs for undergraduates, graduates and professionals.
Student success story: A classics minor graduate began their fieldwork training at the Athenian Agora and has since become the Field Director of the Agora Excavations in Athens.
Community Outreach
Students participate in community engagement events throughout their time at UW. These events allow students to engage in discussions with others in the Laramie community, our region, our nation and other countries. Previous events include:
Scholarship Opportunities
The history and language departments award several scholarships to students each year. Available scholarships include:
Undergraduate Research
All classics courses entail a multi-stage research project that students design, conduct and report on with a presentation and research paper.
These research projects allow students to apply classics knowledge to their areas of interest. For example, engineering students have investigated the strength of the concrete in the Pantheon. Agriculture students have studied rainfed agriculture recommendations for Roman farmers. Students interested in medicine examined Roman physician Galen’s voluminous writings, the Hippocratic corpus, Aristotle’s medical theories and Roman public health and sanitation standards.
- Matthew A. Giarusso
Department of Modern and Classical Languages
University of Wyoming | College of Arts and Sciences
Department 3603, 1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-4176
Email: languages@uwyo.edu
