Studying Classics at Kenyon
A knowledge of the classics enhances understanding in a variety of disciplines, including art and architecture, history, political science, philosophy, and religion. Classics courses at Kenyon include courses in mythology and Greek and Roman history, archaeology, and literature in translation. Greek and Latin are offered at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels.
A Timeless Discipline
Distinguished by expert faculty, inquisitive students and innovative alumni, the Kenyon classics department offers a foundational lens for examining and remedying present-day challenges.
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4different majors are available: Greek, Latin, Greek and Latin, or classical civilization.
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Tales of the Looted
Associate Professor of Classics Zoë Kontes examines the stories behind illicit antiquities in her podcast, Looted.
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21students are currently majoring or minoring in classics.
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Theater of War
Founder of the Theater of War, Bryan Doerries ’98 uses ancient Greek tragedies as a catalyst for conversations about dark, complex issues.
Featured Courses
Classical Mythology
It’s impossible to understand Western culture without knowledge of classical mythology. Not only are the myths wildly entertaining, they permeate popular imagination and life to this day. We’ll explore overarching themes within the myths and how these stories have influenced modern culture through literature and art.
Illegal Antiquities
Who owns the Classical past? In this seminar we’ll discuss a range of ethical dilemmas presented by the practice of archaeology in the 21st century, including the looting of ancient sites; aspects of the international trade in art objects and antiquities; authenticity and forgery of ancient art; and more.
Elementary Latin
Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. After completing this course, you’ll be prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil.
Advanced Greek
Improve your skills in reading Greek and discuss scholarship on the authors being read in a given semester. The list of authors taught in this course includes, to name just a few, the lyric poets; the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes; and great prose stylists such as Plato and Thucydides.
Ascension Hall
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio 43022