Classical Civilization Minor — Chico State Skip to Main Content
California State University, Chico
College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Classical Civilization Minor

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Minor

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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How did we get to where we are today? The answer to that question is rooted in the arts, literature, history, philosophy, and cultures of ancient civilizations in places like Greece, Rome, Egypt, and the pre-Columbian Americas.

This minor is your opportunity to explore and gain insights into the connections and influences that have shaped Western cultures and have a profound impact on the artists and art forms, writers and stories, and thinkers and ideas of today.

Students write notes in their notebooks.

Gain Important Perspective

The connections you discover that bridge the past to the present also contain valuable clues about where we are heading. Those same vital analytical and critical thinking skills are necessary to succeed in today’s workforce.

Students learning on the computer about Ancient and Medieval Art and Literature.

Hone Your Skills

We’re surrounded by the influence of ancient civilizations: Mythical gods and heroes. Marble statues. Foundations of governmental structure, law, storytelling, and science. Furthering your knowledge will boost your understanding of our world.

You'll gain critical thinking, research, and communication skills by studying ancient civilizations. Key abilities include analyzing historical texts, interpreting ancient languages (e.g., Latin or Greek), fostering cultural awareness, and conducting comparative analyses. The minor also develops problem-solving, interdisciplinary thinking, and public speaking skills, all while deepening ethical and philosophical understanding.

A Versatile Minor for Career Flexibility

Because so many of our cultural roots can be traced back to classical civilizations, the subject matter is a versatile and meaningful companion to almost any other field of study.

Majors to consider include:

A student writes in her journal while sitting on a tile roof with Mediterranean style homes in the background while studying abroad in Italy

See For Yourself

Get out into the world to sharpen your Greek or Latin language skills by studying abroad in Athens, Rome, Florence, or one of the other 200+ locations in 40 countries around the globe.