The Department of Classics offers a variety of classes in Greek and Roman literature, ancient and Medieval philosophy, ancient and Christian religion, and general classical culture. The Department also administers the Program in Religious Studies. 

Many doors open into the Classical and Medieval world through Dalhousie’s Department of Classics. The study of mythology, literature, history, philosophy, religion, Arabic, Greek, Latin and Hebrew enable an understanding of what formed Western culture and show us how European civilization arose out of the great accomplishments of the ancient Mediterranean peoples. 

Check out our new micro-site:  http://www.dal.ca/academics/programs/undergraduate/classics.html

Pythian Games

Our second Pythian Games were a great success!

The Pythian Games were held again this year on March 16th. Take a look at our Pythian Games page for information about the winners or take a look at this Dal News article about the event:

http://www.dal.ca/news/2012/03/20/a-classical-experience-at-the-pythian-games.html

Summer Offerings 2012

CLAS 1800 / 2810:  Introductory Latin 

May 7 - June 21
M, T, W, R
0905 - 1125

Please contact the Department for further details on this class.

News and Events

Language Prize Winners

The final Classics party this year was held on Friday, March 23rd and it is traditional to announce the winner of the Nicole Knox Memorial prize for distinguished language abilities in an undergraduate student. We are happy to say that both Kristan Newell and Bruce Russell were given the award for their excellent work!

This party also introduced the a new award and tradition: The Howard Murray Award for distinguished language abilities in a graduate student. We are proud to announce that the first-ever Howard Murray Award was given to Brian Lam!

Congratulations to all three of our winners!

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Shaar Shalom Synagogue Lecture on the Law of God and the Law of Nature

     The Department of Classics with the Programme in Religious Studies is excited to announce the first Shaar Shalom Synagogue Public Lecture in support of the academic and community outreach components of the Riva and Simon Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies. The Spatz Chair is envisioned as one of three chairs devoted to the Abrahamic Religions within Religious Studies at Dalhousie. They would provide a programme unique in North America and of the greatest importance in the Maritimes, Canada, and the contemporary world generally.
     On Thursday, September 20th at 7 pm in the Scotiabank Auditorium, Marion McCain building, Dalhousie University, Dr Carlos F. Fraenkel, professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Jewish Studies at McGill University will speak on:"The Law of God and the Law of Nature - An Alternative Paradigm from the Abrahamic Religions". Dr Fraenkel will bring to his audience sources within the Abrahamic Religions, with their Jewish origins, on an alternative to the present understanding of nature so destructive of the ecological conditions of human life.
    Carlos Fraenkel is an attractive and innovative international scholar, with an outstanding capacity to bring academic research into the public forum. He grew up between Germany and Brazil, and did most of his undergraduate and graduate work at the Freie Universität Berlin and The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, completing his PhD in 2000. He also worked at the Universidade de São Paulo and at the Sorbonne. Although interested in various things along the way (from Brazilian literature to the Talmud), the red thread through his studies is philosophy. He works on various issues, spanning ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy (mainly Jewish and Islamic) and early modern philosophy (mainly Spinoza). He also has an interest in political philosophy, in particular in questions related to cultural difference, identity and autonomy. See his website: http://carlosfraenkel.com/
     Shaar Shalom Synagogue is the generous benefactor of the annual lecture. The joint selection committee from Shaar Shalom and the Department of Classics consists of Doctors Philip Belitsky, Seth Bloom, Alexander Treiger and Wayne Hankey. It is most grateful for the indispensable assistance of Dean Robert Summerby-Murray and Dr Tory Kirby, Director, Centre for Research on Religion, McGill University.
     Further details about the lecture, the events surrounding it and the Riva and Simon Spatz Chair will follow in due course.

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