COURSE CURRICULUM

The Classical Studies program at St. Francis Xavier University offers a comprehensive suite of courses designed to immerse students in the languages, literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Introductory language courses, including Latin I, II, and III, and Introductory Greek, provide students with the grammar, vocabulary, and foundational skills necessary to read classical texts in their original languages, while integrating cultural and historical context. Courses in Greek and Roman history cover major periods, from the Classical Greek city-states and the Hellenistic era to the Roman Republic and Empire, highlighting political, social, economic, and cultural developments, as well as the rise of Christianity within the Roman world. Literary courses, including Greek Literature in Translation and Classical Latin Texts, expose students to epic poetry, tragedies, speeches, hymns, and other literary forms, featuring key authors such as Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Cicero, Caesar, Catullus, and Ovid. Through these courses, students gain analytical and linguistic skills, deepen their understanding of the classical heritage, and explore the enduring influence of Greek and Roman thought on philosophy, theology, literature, and modern culture. The program is particularly suitable for those pursuing studies in classical languages, history, philosophy, religious studies, and the humanities more broadly, offering a rigorous and enriching academic experience in a supportive learning environment.