Graduate Certificate
Classical and Humanistic Studies
Study the intellectual, literary, and philosophical traditions that shaped Western civilization and continue to inform theology, education, and the arts.
Overview
A rigorous humanities foundation
The Graduate Certificate in Classical and Humanistic Studies explores the intellectual, literary, and philosophical traditions that have shaped Western civilization and continue to influence contemporary scholarship. Designed for students seeking a deeper understanding of the classical world and the humanities, this certificate examines the enduring ideas, texts, and cultural movements that have informed literature, philosophy, theology, education, and the arts for more than two millennia.
Students begin by studying the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, gaining an appreciation for the historical, political, cultural, and intellectual environments that produced many of the foundational works of Western thought. These courses provide essential context for understanding the development of philosophy, literature, rhetoric, law, and civic life, while also highlighting the lasting influence of the classical world on Christian history and Western culture.
Curriculum
Texts, ideas, and interpretive skill
The certificate also introduces students to the Great Books tradition, engaging influential works that have shaped philosophical, literary, and cultural conversations across the centuries. Through careful reading and scholarly discussion, students examine texts that continue to inform debates about truth, virtue, justice, beauty, freedom, and the human condition.
Courses in Literary Theory and Philosophy equip students with advanced analytical frameworks for interpreting texts and evaluating competing schools of thought. Students explore the major movements in literary criticism while developing the critical skills necessary to engage complex works with depth and intellectual rigor. The study of philosophy introduces central questions concerning reality, knowledge, ethics, and human purpose, encouraging thoughtful reflection on both classical and contemporary perspectives.
Special attention is given to Plato and Aristotle, whose writings established many of the philosophical and literary foundations upon which later scholarship was built. Their works continue to shape discussions in ethics, metaphysics, political philosophy, rhetoric, literary criticism, and education, making them indispensable for advanced study in the humanities.
Capstone themes
Myth, symbol, and archetype
The certificate concludes with the study of myth, symbol, and archetype, examining how recurring patterns, narratives, and images express enduring truths about the human experience. Students investigate classical mythology alongside literary and philosophical traditions while considering the ways symbols and archetypes continue to influence literature, culture, and religious thought.
Whether preparing for doctoral study, college teaching, ministry, writing, or lifelong learning, graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Classical and Humanistic Studies will develop stronger critical thinking, interpretive, and research skills while gaining a richer appreciation for the classical foundations of the humanities and their continuing significance in the modern world.
Greek Civilization
Course Sequence
Roman Civilization
Understanding the Odyssey
Great Books
Literary Theory
Plato and Aristotle
Philosophy
Myth, Symbol, and Archetype
This course of study is designed for independent learners who want a disciplined, historically grounded encounter with the classical tradition and its enduring relevance for Christian scholarship and humane learning.