Queen’s Greek and Latin: An update

On behalf of the Department of Classics and Archaeology at Queen’s, I want to very warmly thank everyone who wrote in support of our language teaching and who signed our petition. I am very happy to announce that we are temporarily suspending our letter-writing campaign. We are not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot, but we have achieved a minor victory that may well buy us enough time to revamp our language courses so that we meet the minimum enrollments going forward.

As a result of the campaign and some truly humbling on-the-ground support from faculty members, staff, and students across our own university, the Provost has agreed to a very sensible compromise, one that extends the timeline for the implementation of austerity measures by an extra year, and he has done so for the entire Faculty of Arts and Science. This is a huge relief. For us, it means that the minimum enrollment rule will also be postponed by a year, not just for us but for all departments (foreign languages and music are similarly breathing sighs of relief). We are cautiously optimistic that this may buy us just enough time to implement some on-the-ground strategies to boost our numbers. Our fingers are crossed.

On a personal note, it has been really amazing and encouraging, as well as very sobering, to see the response that we received from all corners of the world. But it was not just the volume of responses, it was the thoughtfulness and concern in them that helped to remind us here at Queen’s that we are not alone in this fight. (It is worth scrolling through the many comments on our petition page at https://www.queensu.ca/classics/thank-you; we are also hoping soon to set up a thank-you page with the letters sent directly to our senior administrators, many of which we were cc'd on.)

As the stories started pouring in from other institutions in similar or--for many--even worse situations, what really hit home for me was the importance of our collective advocacy and increased vigilance going forward. One by one departments are closing, being merged, or being wound down and it always starts, it seems, with the languages. Whoever among us is able, whenever the opportunity arises, we must be banging the drum as publicly and loudly as possible for Greek and Latin, for Classics, for the Humanities, and for small, specialized courses in core areas of the Humanities. Of course, some of us have been doing a most impressive job of this for quite some time, but I myself have suddenly woken up to the fact that I personally have not, and I need to get to work in earnest on that front. For those of us working in publicly funded institutional settings especially, if politicians and the public do not see value in us, we are lost. 

So thank you again to all who wrote and signed on our behalf. The battle here is not over, but we’re hoping that the small reprieve that we won will be enough to keep us moving forward for the time being. 

Fingers crossed and now to work.

-Daryn Lehoux


To read the Head's previous statement on the current budget crisis, please click HERE.


 

What is Classics and Archaeology?

Classics refers to the study of the Greek and Roman worlds. Multi-disciplinary in approach, it involves the studies of history, literature, archaeology, religion, mythology, drama and philosophy, in addition to the ancient languages of Greek and Latin. Archaeology is the study of ancient (and more recent) societies through the remains of their material culture. The methods of archaeology are many (excavation, remote sensing, surface survey, imaging, chemical and physical analysis to name a few) and can be applied to any area and period. The study of the physical remains of the Greek and Roman cultures and of the many other cultures that interacted with them is called Classical Archaeology.

Today our understanding of Greek and Roman culture is further enhanced by the latest digital techniques that increasingly pervade studies in archaeology, epigraphy, papyrology, and ancient science and medicine.  At Queen’s, students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the latest techniques by participating in one of two archaeological excavations supervised by our own faculty, or through a variety of projects and assignments.  

It can be said that studying Classics can lead to a wider appreciation of human values and achievements, and a more objective understanding of ourselves and our times.  Our undergraduates have gone on to a variety of occupations and have been accepted into graduate programs nationally and internationally.

Feel free to contact any of our faculty (see our Faculty page for our experts listings), or come visit us in the department with questions you have about our courses and programs.

 

 ACCEPTING applications for graduate studies in Classics and Archaeology for 2023-2024   

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Temple of Apollo

Plan Selection!

Are you considering a Major in Classics & Archaeology?

To review our Plan options click the link: Major/Minor/Joint Honours

Newsletter

Classics & Archaeology Newsletter!

Classics & Archaeology is excited to present our Annual Newsletter! 2023 was full of excitement but was not without its trials! 

To read all about what went on in 2023, be sure to click HERE for the full Newsletter!

Bjorn Bols

Spotlight

Spotlight on Bjorn Bols!

Graduate student, Bjron Bols, interviewed by CFRC-FM, Queen's Campus Radio on Ancient Greek Wrestling. 

CERES 2024

CERES Journal Launch & Conference

Join us on Monday, April 8th, for the launch of CERES Volume VI!

The conference will be held between 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM in Watson 517. There will be a brief intermission period at 3:00 for the Eclipse and we are excited to announce that Dr. Daryn Lehoux will be providing a brief talk about the eclipse. The conference will be divided up into two sessions where the authors will have a chance to present their research, followed by a brief question period. Refreshments will be provided. 

For more details, view our POSTER!

D. Hagel

Faculty News

The Department of Classics and Archaeology is sad to share that previous Head and Professor of the department, Dr. Dietmar Hagel has passed away. Our deepest sympathies go out to Dr. Hagel's family during this difficult time.

Please read some wonderful stories about Dietmar HERE. To view Dr. Hagel's obituary, please click HERE.

Dr. Bice Peruzzi

Classics and Archaeology Presents...

The Colloquium Speaker Series is an ongoing series of talks by Professors from other universities discussing their areas of specialization.

Upcoming Speaker:

Classics and Archaeology Presents... Dr. Bice Peruzzi on Wednesday, March 13th, at 2:30 pm in Watson Hall - Room 517!

We hope to see you there!