<p>i hardly come across any Classics major. Please voice yourselves if you are one..</p>
<p>My school doesn't even offer the traditional 'classics' major. We have... Classical Studies, which is a lot more about the literature and not so much about the language. We only offer a year of Greek and a year of Latin (whereas we have 2-3+ years for the other languages).</p>
<p>But I'm not either, though I considered it. :P</p>
<p>This is a capitalist society, majoring in the Classics is not deemed worthy of study in such a society. Go get a business degree. ;)</p>
<p>Yeah, why not spend the rest of your days doing something marginally interesting? Why would anyone aspire to be anything besides a petty cog ? It's simply beyond me.</p>
<p>
[quote]
This is a capitalist society, majoring in the Classics is not deemed worthy of study in such a society. Go get a business degree.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why Intellectuals Oppose Capitalism:
<a href="http://www.cato.org/pubs/policy_report/cpr-20n1-1.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.cato.org/pubs/policy_report/cpr-20n1-1.html</a></p>
<p>I disagree that the Classics is not worthy of study... it just depends on your field. For example, if you are pursuing law or medicine, knowing a little bit of Latin (or at least understanding its influence on those fields, especially law) may just be your best friend.</p>
<p>However, if you are referring to Classical culture... well, that's probably a different story. From the top of my head the only usefulness I can really think of (besides the satisfaction of having some classical knowledge) is maybe if you are pursuing engineering or architecture (due to Greco-Roman accomplishments in those fields), but I know little of both fields to be completely sure. Either way, you can't deny the influence that the Classics has had on our society today - that's what makes it worth studying.</p>
<p>My only advice is that to be on the safe side, if you really want to study the Classics, then either minor in it or double major. Unless, of course, if it's what you really want to pursue.</p>
<p>
[quote]
knowing a little bit of Latin (or at least understanding its influence on those fields, especially law
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Do not let the preponderance of Latin phrases fool you, as the language does not help law students in the least.</p>
<p>Understanding the foundations/influences on law is as simple as opening a text from Bentham, perhaps perusing Austin and ending with Hart for a more contemporary analysis of legal decision-making.</p>
<p>Really, nspeds? I didn't know that. Could you elaborate? Some people I know that are currently in law school have said that knowing some Latin phrases really does help, and I've been told the same by counselors, etc. Are you in law school also?</p>
<p>No, but I am planning on attending Law School. The "Latin claim" is a misconception and I have various friends in Law School who have laughed in my face at my even uttering the suggestion that knowing Latin helps. Everything you need to know about Latin will be taught at Law School and if there is any sort of preparation for Law School that is useful, it is logic</p>
<p>
ah yes, that can't be stressed enough. </p>
<p>I guess what I was referring to is just the fact that knowing Latin puts you ahead of the game, both in examining cases (e.g., ex post facto) during law school itself, or just taking the LSATs. I also read an article a few months ago claiming that those who know some Latin tend to do better on their LSATs. I wish I could find it so I could show you. Either way, you're right... logic would be more useful, while in law school or trying to get in to law school.</p>
<p>That site contains average LSAT scores per major; it should be noted that "Foreign Languages" are collectively ranked at 13.</p>
<p>If you wish to gain sound advice on Law School admissions/preparation, then speaking to a counselor at an actual Law School is a prudent decision; while college counselors might provide practical information pertaining to appling to Law School, I am hard-pressed to believe they possess adequate knowledge of the material in which students are actually inculcated with in Law School.</p>
<p>Actually, I've seen that before, but am wary of the fact that it's outdated. Anyway, thanks nspeds.</p>
<p>Haha, my apologies to dACEe05 for totally going off-topic there.</p>
<p>Where are you, classic majors?! Hehe, there are a bunch on Xanga :D</p>
<p>The law, in terms of its foundation, has been fairly stagnant, so the applicability of foreign languages in the context of law should be constant. The statistic, however, is irrelevant as there is no Latin on the LSAT, and thus, proficiency in a foreign language provides no edge.</p>
<p>i'm not a classics major but I take latin, and in my comparative vertebrate anatomy class where we have to spell everything correctly and memorize an absurd amount of information latin has helped sooooooo much. </p>
<p>plus I really like studying latin! if you don't take it I dont think you could understand how amazing its grammer and structure and vocabulary is, its the basis of soo many languages and grammatical concepts. Studying it is more like studying math than other foreign languages. For more than a thousand years it was the one subject all educated people knew down pat, and I really think everyone should have to take it now too.</p>
<p>i'm really really glad I take latin, so I'm really glad theres people out there to teach it to me. (aka people who majored in classics, got their doctorates in classics...)</p>
<p>not everybody has to be a stockbrocker or a lawyer...</p>