Introduction to Classics at UF

Welcome to the University of Florida Department of Classics!

Since its establishment in 1975, the Department of Classics continues to provide a uniquely cordial and productive environment for scholars and students of the ancient Mediterranean world—in all of its exciting aspects. Our collective mission is the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, service, and outreach to our community of the University of Florida, our beautiful state, and beyond. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about us: our vibrant undergraduate program, our exceptional graduate programs, and the Center for Greek Studies—the hub of the Department.

We teach an energetic and talented group of over 100 Classics majors and 90 minors, making this one of the largest undergraduate programs in the nation. Although UF is one of the largest universities in the Southeast, we place a high premium on community, and we take the time to get to know our students. Classics majors can enhance their undergraduate experience by completing a senior thesis or participating in a study abroad program. Our students are frequently awarded University Scholars Program fellowships. We boast one of the largest chapters of Eta Sigma Phi, the National Classics Honor Society; our Epsilon Iota Chapter, now in its 32nd year, is the most active honor society on campus. Perhaps the biggest advantage of the Classics major is the vast network of friendly and helpful alumni who continue to pursue Classics in all walks of life and who open doors for students across the Gator Nation.

Our on-campus graduate students are the heart and soul of the department. Twenty-seven students in residence pursue the MA, ML, and PhD. Graduates of our program have gone on to productive careers in secondary school teaching, in colleges and universities, and beyond. They have published a wide variety of scholarly articles in international journals (and the first book by a UF PhD is in the works!); they frequently present at regional, national, and international conferences. We routinely send our students to summer school at the American Academy in Rome and to the American School of Classical Studies in Athens. All of our graduate students teach Latin, Greek, and Classics courses, and we are especially proud of the prestigious Graduate Student Teaching Awards garnered by our teaching assistants. Prospective students interested in graduate study at UF will find a great deal of helpful information on this site.

Our Distance Graduate Education program is the only one of its kind in the nation; almost thirty Masters and PhD students from coast to coast are currently enrolled. Designed for secondary school teachers and college and university lecturers seeking higher degrees, this low-residency, “hybrid” program combines coursework completed via distance with the Summer Latin Institute, an on-campus component that allows us to build and maintain a strong sense of intellectual community. Admission to the program is highly competitive: successful applicants are expert teachers with clearly defined career goals. Alumni of the program teach at Florida College, Virginia Tech, and some of the most prestigious private schools in the nation.

The Center for Greek Studies is a nexus for research, teaching, and outreach, bringing together under one aegis the various UF courses and programs that deal with Greece, past and present. The Center promotes the appreciation of Greek culture and heritage through a state-wide network of citizens, donors, and alumni. The Center supports student travel to Greece and the Aegean. In December 2009, we celebrated the inauguration of the Cassas Professor in Greek Studies, the first endowed professorship in the department.

All of these amazing accomplishments and opportunities are possible because of our dedicated, energetic, and award-winning faculty. Every year we toast new faculty publications. Above all, we value cooperation over competition, and we frequently collaborate on research projects that can only be imagined when we work together.

We hope you’ll take the time to explore all that Florida has to offer. Stop by our office in Dauer Hall, and be sure to look us up when next you visit our great state.

Victoria Emma Pagán
Professor and Chair
vepagan@ufl.edu

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