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I think the thing with classical studies is it's such
a huge field. There are so many different things, it's history,
it's philosophy, it's language, there's really so many
different places you can take it. I became involved with the
Classical Studies program
because as a student of ancient religion I quickly learned how essential
learning ancient languages such as Latin and Greek were to my field of study.
we think that Latin and Greek are really these dead languages but they're
completely essential skills to understanding
ancient history. It's through these languages that we
unlock the past, you have this immediacy with the author.
And so you're able to see how they're forming their ideas and what they're
emphasizing as opposed to other things.
And this really sort of brings the gods, the wars,
the history to life. So it's applicable not just to understanding
classical literature, but understanding medieval history,
religious studies, ancient history,
but there's also a huge contemporary relevence.
If you look at something like Pope Benedict's resignation, he did that in Latin.
The first people that knew about it were those who were able
to translate Latin.
As well we also have new discoveries that are always coming up
things like the Dead Sea Scrolls. If we don't have people that can
understand those languages, we're not able to put them back together
let alone understand what they say or how they worked with an ancient society
Classical studies is a great degree to pursue if you want to do you any further
research in the ancient world, if you want to learn more about ancient cultures
if you want to translate,
if you want to do archaeology, that's fantastic. But as well I think it gives you
a practical knowledge base and practical communication skills which are really
transferable to
any career path but you take.
The program at York is fantastic
I think one of the most phenomenal things, for me at least,
is you really hit the ground running. The teachers are very enthusiastic about
what they do
and when it comes to learning languages they really bring you into the language
they lead you in,
you're speaking Ancient Greek, you're speaking Latin, right off the bat.
My classmates have been amazing,
I formed some great friendships through it and
it's really inspired me to move forward in my studies.