Psychology (what is the psyche anyway?). Philosophy (what does it mean to be good? What about happy?). Politics (Democracy, Tyranny and resistance to inequality, Freedom). Provocative art (Music, Drama, Poetry).
All these burning contemporary questions have a rich history. The Classics allow you to investigate these topics and questions through the life and cultural expressions of ancient Greece and Rome and the broader Mediterranean world, and to use that past to open your mind to paving novel paths for a better and more just world.
First Semester Planning
We recommend that students register for approximately 15 credits each semester and no more than 16 credits in their first semester. Your schedule should be well-balanced and include coursework from a variety of subjects. A diverse schedule will help you begin your studies in potential majors and minors; explore a breadth of new knowledge across departments at Rutgers to meet SAS Core Curriculum learning goals; and survey broader academic interests through elective courses as you work to attain the required 120 degree credits for graduation.
Your schedule will look something like this:
|
College Writing or English course per placement results (3 credits) Major Exploration course (3-4 credits) Major or Minor Exploration course (3 credits) Course beyond main academic interest, such as SAS Core or elective course (3 credits) Course beyond main academic interest, such as SAS Core or elective course (3 credits) Byrne or First-Year Interest Group Seminar (FIGS) (1 credit) Total Credits: 15-16 |
Introductory courses recommended by faculty. Include at least one of these in your schedule:
|
Course Title |
Course Number |
Credits |
Subject on University Schedule of Classes |
|
Roman Civilization |
01:190:206 |
3 |
Classics (190) |
|
Greek & Roman Mythology |
01:190:207 |
3 |
Classics (190) |
Your first year of college is an opportunity for you to explore fields of interest to enhance your understanding of yourself, the world around you, and your main academic and career goals. Think of your schedule as including courses you must take (English, courses to explore potential majors, etc.) and courses you can take (everything else!) All courses are part of your degree - if necessary, review the components of the SAS degree on this page. Through these degree components, you will curate your own unique educational experience - but we understand that this level of flexibility and freedom can feel overwhelming for new students. Like a recommendation based on a book or TV show you enjoyed, the information below can help you identify related courses to consider in your first semester. Course Title Course Number Credits Subject on University Schedule of Classes
The Schedule of Classes provides information about the courses being offered in a particular semester. There are literally thousands of courses offered each semester at Rutgers, and you may find it helpful to narrow down your options by looking for courses in subjects related to your potential major or minor. Use the recommendations below to find possible introductory courses in other subjects. To find potential courses in other subjects related to this one: 1. On the Schedule of Classes, select the current term, location "New Brunswick" and level "undergraduate". Click continue. 2. In the Search By box, click the "search multiple subjects" link. Select the following departments: Art History (082) Philosophy (730) Political Science (790) Psychology (830) Students considering this discipline are strongly encouraged to also incorporate the study of a world language into their Rutgers degree. This can be starting anew language or continuing a language per your World Language placement test results! 3. In Section Status, deselect Closed 4. In Level of Study, deselect 300 and 400. In general, 100 and 200 are appropriate for first-year students, 300 and 400 are often more appropriate for students with more familiarity with the subject. If you are interested in registering for a 300 or 400 level course, consult with an advisor before registering. Review these courses for possible inclusion in your first-semester schedule, or to consider for future semesters.
General Pscyhology
01:830:101
3
Psychology (830)
Introduction to Philosophy
01:730:103
3
Philosophy (730)
Nature of Politics
01:790:101
3
Political Science (790)
Introduction to Art History, Prehistory to 1400
01:082:105
3
Art History (082)
Any World Language (Rec: Greek, Italian, etc.)
3-4
See Course Planning Worksheet for languages offered
Additional information Beyond the Classroom
For your first semester, we want you to focus on selecting appropriate courses, begin to understand the expectations and rigor of college, and identify resources to help you succeed at Rutgers. But, we also know that it is important to provide information for future planning.
In addition to the information below, students interested in exploring possible career options may find this resource from the Office of Career Exploration and Success helpful - you'll find that a degree in this subject prepares you for a wide variety of career options!
There are many high-quality opportunities! Our faculty regularly take on Aresty research assistants; we have opportunities for independent studies toward Honors theses.
Students every summer have gone to work on archaeological digs in Italy or to study abroad in either Greece or Rome, over the summer or the semester.
More details are available at https://classics.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/study-abroad
There sure is! We offer two tracks: honors with a senior thesis, and Honors without a thesis.
Details available here: https://classics.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/honors-glory
Careers:
A Classics major is excellent preparation for the pursuit of a wide range of careers in a large number of fields, including, but not limited to, government, law, education, business, journalism, library science, publishing, foreign service, finance, the entertainment industry, museum and preservation work, pharmaceutical sciences, music and the arts, foundations, technology, web design, and labor relations.
Recent graduates’ career paths – some examples:
- One Air Force intelligence officer; high school teacher; software engineer; Cambridge and Oxford University fellows; publishing intern in Higher Education Editorial Development at Oxford University Press.
Graduate schools:
Many Rutgers Classics graduates successfully compete for admission to the best graduate schools in the country.
- Some Classics majors have gone on to medical school by combining a Classics major with an appropriate sequence of science courses.
- Some have earned the state teaching certificate by enrolling in the five-year BA/Master of Education program offered through the Graduate School of Education.
- Others pursue masters or doctoral degrees to conduct research and teach at the college level, whether in Classics or related fields such as History, Philosophy, Art History, Medieval or Byzantine Studies, English literature, and the Romance languages.
- We recently had a graduate go on to study library science.
