Keeping it classy: Classics majors experience a unique, intimate program

Don't tell them Latin's a dead language. Far from being part of a post-mortem major, Classics students give a modern twist to a tradition that, for all intents and purposes, began its decline 1500 years ago.

Classics majors open the classroom door and their hearts to ancient Roman and Greek language, literature, and culture. Developed in 2001, the Classics Program is-unlike the ancient civilizations and languages they study-a work in progress. With less than two dozen students majoring in classics at St. Joe's, the program has a unique intimacy. It's a difficult program that relies on the dedication and quirkiness of a small, but loyal group of students and faculty.

Despite their numbers, these students are not lacking in passion. Classics majors swoon over their courses with an enthusiasm for rhetoric not seen since the Pax Romana.

"The breadth of subjects that are taught in the classics curriculum is just amazing. There are classes in Roman culture, art and archaeology, pretty much any aspect of life in the ancient world," said Classics major Matthew Sakowski, '11. "It's really fascinating to see how much Latin and the classical world has influenced our everyday lives."

Surprising as it might sound for a program that focuses on obscure grammatical constructions and cracked pottery, the Classics Program offers enormous flexibility for both students and faculty. The Classics Program offers one of the only majors that is custom fit to the interests of its students.

Students can contribute significantly to the development of the curriculum. Professors are able to redesign their curricula based on students' interests and tastes. Students are welcome and encouraged to approach faculty members with ideas and play a vital role in the shaping of the program.

"Students really are the heart and soul and the driving force of what we do and the curriculum is designed around them," said Maria Marsilio, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Classics Program.

Students also value the intimacy of the Classics program, which enables them to develop close relationships with professors and fellow students.

"The Classics department is very close-knit, supportive, and nurturing. There are a lot of things that we do together outside of the classroom. We're very encouraging of each other, and we challenge each other academically," said Sakowski.

In addition to the inevitable overlap in coursework, Classics majors have attended conferences, field trips to the Metropolitan Museum, and once-a-semester dinners. Try that with a department that holds several dozens of students.

"The Classics program is quite possibly the best program on the face of the campus. It's a very small program, so all the majors know each other. Even though we're growing, we still maintain the intimate feel," said Classics major Kieran McCourt, '12. "Generally speaking, we're in all of the same major classes together. Since we're all very close, we all work with and look out for each other."

For as much as students laud their professors for engaging courses, Marsillio says that it's the students who drive the program.

"The best part about the program is the students. The program is all about them. The faculty have the easiest job in the world because of the students. They are fantastic, extremely bright, and genuinely interested," said Marsilio.

Sakowski said, "We are small, but what we lack in numbers we really make up for in creativity, academic excellence, and passion."