Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology

The Department of Classics at Trinity has a long and distinguished history, numbering Oscar Wilde among its famous past students. The Department is unique in Ireland in having separate Chairs in Greek and in Latin, and in offering a specialized program in Ancient History and Archaeology. Staff expertise spans fields as diverse as Bronze Age archaeology, Greek philosophy and the reception of ancient thought, Hellenistic poetry and history, Early Latin, classical Latin poetry, Roman construction, and late Roman history and culture.

The Department of Classics at Columbia University is one of the most dynamic centers for the study of Classical Antiquity in the United States. It offers an unparalleled range of undergraduate and graduate courses in Greek and Roman literature, languages, art, history, material culture, and philosophy. Faculty are committed to innovative scholarly projects, which reflect the shifting contours of Classical study in the twenty-first century. Situated in the heart of New York City, the Department of Classics at Columbia University is at the crossroads of the cultural and classical life of North America.

In years one and two at Trinity, students immerse themselves in the study of Greek and Latin. Classes for non-beginners are designed for those who have already studied ancient Greek and Latin in school, and who wish to continue to read classical literature in the original languages. Beginners Greek and/or Latin are available to those who have not previously studied the language(s). The dual degree in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology is an integrated, multidisciplinary degree program that involves study of the history, literature, art, archaeology, culture and thought of the ancient world in conjunction with one or both of the ancient languages.

In the Junior Freshman year, students are introduced to the study of Greek and Roman literature, history, art and architecture through broad-based survey and skills modules, as well as undertaking modules in Greek and/or Latin at the appropriate level. In the Senior Freshman year, they choose from a range of more specialized historical, archaeological and literary/cultural modules, in accordance with their choice of Columbia major.

Years three and four are spent in Columbia, where, depending on their pathway within the Classic, Ancient History, and Archaeology course students will choose from one the following major options:

Students complete their Columbia major alongside the Core Curriculum and continue with their language studies. Those who choose the Classical Languages and Literatures track will focus on Greek and Latin literature, culture, and history, and will spend time learning about the ancient Mediterranean and neighboring societies in translation. Tracks in Greek and Latin allow students to develop advanced knowledge of the literature, history, and culture of Greece or Rome, choosing on which society they prefer to focus. The Classical and Ancient Civilizations track asks students to choose one ancient Mediterranean or neighboring civilization to concentrate on while simultaneously exposing them to broad understandings of the ancient world and its reception. Finally, those who choose the Classical Reception and the Classical Tradition track will look beyond ancient Greco-Roman Mediterranean studies and into their legacy in post-Classical societies. All of these tracks require a major seminar and senior thesis course. 

As part of the Trinity degree program, students entering the Dual BA Program prior to the Fall 2026 term also complete an additional 30 ECTS credits in years three and four, including a Capstone project that enables students to explore in-depth an area of interest.