Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology
The PSM in Biotechnology at Saint Mary's is a two-year, 40-credit hybrid program de...
B.A. in Classical Language
Moraga, California
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The B.A. in Classical Language at Saint Mary's College is designed for students seeking deep linguistic proficiency and a comprehensive understanding of the ancient Mediterranean world. The program emphasizes personalized instruction and aims for students to achieve fluency in Latin and/or Ancient Greek. Beyond language acquisition, the program focuses on engaging with the works of great ancient writers like Tacitus, Augustine, Horace, and Virgil, providing insights into the cultural, historical, political, philosophical, and mythological background of these texts. The program develops strong analytical and critical thinking skills, essential for navigating complex ancient texts and applying those insights to modern contexts.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.A. in Classical Language is structured to build linguistic proficiency progressively, alongside a deep immersion in ancient culture. Core language courses typically begin with "Introduction to Latin/Ancient Greek" and advance to "Intermediate Latin/Ancient Greek," followed by upper-division courses that involve reading and analyzing complex texts from various classical authors. Students learn to translate English sentences into idiomatic Latin/Greek, develop sight-reading strategies, and distinguish between writers' styles. Beyond language acquisition, the curriculum integrates courses on the cultural, historical, political, philosophical, and mythological background of the texts. Students also explore the logical and rhetorical complexities of ancient texts, appreciate the metric and rhythm of classical poetry, and understand the creative distortions inherent in translation. The program culminates in a senior thesis on a chosen ancient author.
Research Focus: The B.A. in Classical Language at Saint Mary's College inherently integrates a strong research focus, primarily centered on textual analysis and linguistic inquiry. Students are trained to engage in "complex logical computations embedded in everyday speech" and to "appreciate the metric and rhythm of Greek and Roman poetry." The program aims for students to "distinguish between writers' styles and develop specific reading strategies for dealing with each author" and to "understand the logical and rhetorical complexities of ancient texts." The senior thesis, a culminating requirement, demands original scholarly work on a Roman author, showcasing students' ability to conduct in-depth textual analysis and contribute to classical scholarship. This rigorous engagement with primary ancient sources and their critical interpretation is a core research component.
Industry Engagement: While classical languages may not have a direct "industry" in the modern sense, Saint Mary's College highlights the highly transferable skills gained from this degree that are valued across numerous professional sectors. The program explicitly states that "the linguistic approaches and strategies you will develop with us are highly transferable to careers in science, law, and beyond." The rigorous training in analytical thinking, precision in language, attention to detail, and problem-solving, which are hallmarks of classical studies, are directly applicable to fields requiring complex logical computations and meticulous analysis. Faculty members, through their academic networks and occasional student testimonials (as seen in search results), often assist students in identifying opportunities where these skills are valued, including further graduate studies that frequently necessitate fluency in ancient languages.
Global Perspective: The B.A. in Classical Language at Saint Mary's College is intrinsically global, as it focuses on understanding the foundational cultures and languages of the ancient Mediterranean world, whose influence spread across vast geographical regions and continue to shape Western and global thought. By examining nearly 2000 years of literature and culture from 1200 BCE to 600 CE, students gain a deep historical and cultural understanding that transcends modern national boundaries. The study of classical languages inherently involves engaging with different ways of thinking, communicating, and organizing society, fostering a profound cross-cultural awareness. This historical and cultural depth provides a unique global perspective, enabling graduates to contextualize contemporary issues within a broader human narrative and understand the enduring legacies of ancient civilizations on the modern world.
Location
Moraga, California
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 59251
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Saint Mary's College of California is dedicated to making high-quality education accessible and affordable for students from around the world. To support this commitment, the college offers a range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Merit-Based Scholarships: All international undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission no separate application is required. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, standardized test scores (if submitted), extracurricular involvement, and personal accomplishments.
International Excellence Scholarship: This competitive award recognizes exceptional international students who exhibit outstanding academic performance and global leadership. Students selected for the International Excellence Scholarship may receive additional financial support beyond standard merit scholarships. Selection is based on a holistic review of the application, essays, and achievements.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While financial aid for international students is limited, some need-based assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis. Students are encouraged to communicate directly with the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to explore all available options.
External Scholarships and Sponsorships: International students are also encouraged to apply for external scholarships from global organizations, private foundations, and government-sponsored programs. The college provides guidance and resources to help students identify and apply for third-party funding opportunities that can supplement institutional aid.
Graduates of Saint Mary's College of California's B.A. in Classical Language are distinguished by their exceptional analytical rigor, precision in language, and sophisticated understanding of complex textual and cultural information.
Teacher/Educator (Latin or Ancient Greek): Instructs students at the high school level or, with further graduate studies, at the university level, sharing their expertise in classical languages, literature, and history.
Archivist/Librarian (requires master's degree for professional roles): Manages, preserves, and organizes historical documents, rare books, and other materials, often in academic, museum, or specialized libraries and archives, where knowledge of ancient languages can be invaluable for cataloging and research.
Museum Curator/Collections Manager: Researches, acquires, preserves, and interprets ancient artifacts and exhibits in museums or galleries, applying their knowledge of classical history, art, and material culture.
Editor/Proofreader: Utilizes meticulous attention to detail and strong grammatical understanding to review and refine written materials for publishing houses, academic presses, or various corporate communications, often with an advantage in fields requiring historical or linguistic precision.
Lawyer/Paralegal (requires J.D. for lawyer): The rigorous logical reasoning, textual analysis, and persuasive argumentation skills developed in classical studies provide an excellent foundation for legal professions, where interpreting complex texts and constructing logical arguments are paramount.
Journalist/Freelance Writer (Cultural/Historical Focus): Reports on historical, cultural, or social topics, leveraging their strong research, analytical, and writing skills to create engaging and well-informed content for various publications.
Researcher (Academic or Independent): Conducts in-depth scholarly research in classics, ancient history, archaeology, philosophy, or related humanities fields, often with the aim of pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. and a career in academia.
Translator/Interpreter (Historical Texts): Specializes in translating ancient texts or historical documents, or leverages their strong linguistic foundation to work with modern languages in a professional capacity.
Civil Service/Government Analyst: Applies strong analytical, research, and communication skills to roles in government agencies, particularly those dealing with policy analysis, cultural heritage, or international relations.
Genealogist/Family Historian: Uses advanced research skills, including the ability to decipher old documents and understand historical contexts, to trace family histories and document lineages, often in private practice or for heritage organizations.
