The field of classics encompasses all aspects of Graeco-Roman culture. The heart of classical studies is the collection of literary, historical, philosophical, and scientific writings from Homeric to Byzantine times. The reconstruction and interpretation of these writings is the primary responsibility of the teacher of classics, who is frequently a specialist in some particular field such as drama, philosophy, epigraphy, papyrology, mythology, or contemporary critical theory. All of these studies are interrelated, and classicists pursuing them are working toward the same goal: a wider picture of Graeco-Roman culture as a means toward a clearer understanding of our own.

The Greek and Roman worlds were themselves the products of cross-cultural exchange and ferment; they constituted the first widespread multicultural societies in the West and as such are of special relevance to our own multicultural society today. A major in classics can serve as a superb preparation for virtually any field of professional endeavor. The fact that classics majors are able to take many courses with small enrollments taught by senior faculty makes it especially attractive to serious students. The department also offers a Minor, and most Classics courses satisfy General Education Requirements.

The Classics Program at UCSB allows many different avenues to the study of ancient Greece and Rome. Students who choose a Classics Major can emphasize Language and Literature, Classical Civilization, or Classical Archaeology. Students in other departments may choose a Classics Minor to enrich their studies with a flexible range of courses on the ancient world. The Classics Major is excellent preparation for those who plan to do graduate work in Classics, ancient history, or classical archaeology; for those who want to prepare themselves for professional school in law, medicine, or journalism; and for those who find enrichment in the intellectual depth of a liberal education.

Liberal Arts majors are now in high demand in the business sector. A recent front-page article in the Los Angeles Times ("Liberal Arts Grads Finally Make the Grade with Firms," Tuesday, October 5, 1999) reported that "Latin majors are hot" among corporate recruiters. They are also in high demand in public schools, where Latin enrollments are up: "Some are attracted to Latin for the mental discipline and for what it teaches about the inner workings of English and many other languages. Latin is also popular with students who may want to go to medical school or specialize in biology or other sciences that use Latin words in their terminology."

The Department of Classics offers an intensive Summer Program in Greece (Athens and Paros). Three standard courses and an undergraduate seminar on special topics offer students wonderful opportunities to study ancient Greek culture, history, and archaeology.

The Education Abroad Program offers opportunities for study in several countries with strong traditions in the teaching of Classics: England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Further, we expect that study in Greece will soon become a part of the EAP. Study abroad under EAP is automatically accredited by UCSB. However, the authority to approve study abroad courses for a student's major or minor rests with the department of Classics.

• For more information and useful links, see "What is Classics?" on Professor Morstein-Marx's web page.
• Classics Occupational Possibilities (University of Kansas Career Center
• What can I do with a major in Classics? (Miami University, Ohio)
• UCSB Undergraduate Program in Classics