Classical Studies

The Department of Classical Studies offers courses in the languages, histories, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome in the context of the broader ancient Mediterranean world.

Students learn about the languages and civilizations of the multiethnic Greco-Roman world, from the Bronze Age of Greece to the peak of the Roman empire. Courses in ancient Greek and Latin, or Classical Studies courses focusing on history, culture, literature, and the arts invite students to engage in a critical examination of how the ancient Greeks and Romans have shaped our modern world through formal education, cultural, political and scientific discourses, and popular culture.

Rebecca Futo Kennedy,Associate Professor, Chair of Classical Studies

Jackie Forshey,Academic Administrative Assistant

Classical Studies alumni have gone on to successfully pursue graduate degrees and careers in investment, law, medicine, business, curation, advertisement, and entrepreneurship.

Learn more about alumni & careers

Spotlights

Where We Go

Social Justice Entrepreneur

Mrinalini Mitra ’20 founded a nonprofit to connect people & global resources. One of her first efforts was a conference for young women in India.

Denison students and faculty take in a view of Rome

How We Learn

All Roads Lead to Rome

A two-week sojourn in Rome with a Classics professor brings ancient history to life.

Where We Go

Sharing The Light

Even as a young girl, Mishti Mitra ’20 was able to imagine herself in another person’s circumstances.

How We Learn

Life in ancient Greece — resurrected

Role-playing students transformed life in ancient Greece into a daily drama.

Where We Go

Story-telling: from the days of ancients to today

Quinn Griffin '10 is a classicist with Michigan's Grand Valley State University - she is also a talented vocalist.

How We Learn

Why Riri Williams, the new "Iron Man," matters

For Imani Congdon '20, the new "Iron Man," a young black woman named Riri Williams, is a hopeful sign.

Where We Go

For the Love of Latin Learning

Karyn Greene ’12 is taking her love of classics to the Boston Teacher Residence Program.

How We Learn

Modern Greece, through the lens of fiction

Denison professor Tim Hofmeister just published his second book of crime fiction, opening readers’ eyes to the issues of Greece through a new channel.

How We Learn

Immigrant Women in Athens

Professor Kennedy's teaching and research interests cover the history and culture of ancient Greece, especially issues of ethnicity and citizenship.

Where We Go

Dancing on the way to Pompeii

Maybe all roads don't lead to Rome. But this one led to a brilliant career in archaeology and to an ancient dig site in Pompeii.

What's Happening

Faculty

Making their mark with Messiah

Wes Walter selected as American Physical Society Fellow

Denison ranked #1 in student-teacher interaction

Classical Studies