Introduction to the Major
The Department of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (AGRS) offers training in ancient Greek and Latin from the ground up, enabling students to encounter texts such as Homer’s Odyssey and Ovid’s Metamorphoses in their original form.
Students have three options: they can major in Greek, in Latin, or Greek & Latin (i.e. both). Students contextualize their work in the languages and deepen their understanding of the literature by delving into Greek and Roman civilization (art, philosophy, religion, etc.), in classes led by AGRS professors who are renowned for innovative scholarship and dedication to undergraduate teaching.
“Class settings are smaller, with time for questions and discussions. Students get to know one another.”
- Mackhai Nguyen, Latin Major
The AGRS Community
Studying Greek and/or Latin in AGRS means connection to a community at Berkeley and beyond.
- Our students go on to law school, medical school, computer science, finance, teaching and graduate study in Classics, History, Philosophy, and other disciplines.
- Our advising team includes a professional advisor and two faculty advisors. Students have support in course planning, student life, career exploration and navigating the university.
- Get to know our graduate students who teach some language courses.
Amplify Your Major
- Achieve a broader perspective on Greek and Latin through study abroad
- Begin your language study with the Greek or Latin Summer Workshop (funding available).
- Challenge yourself by pursuing honors in Greek or Latin.
- Publish your work in the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Review major and college requirements.
- Take a Freshman Seminar with an Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (AGRS) professor.
- Start Greek or Latin with an elementary course.
- Take AGRS 10A (Greek civilization) and AGRS 10B (Roman civilization).
Connect and Build Community
- Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
- Sign up for the AGRS undergraduate email list and start attending department events.
Discover Your Passions
- Read the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
- Visit a professor or graduate student instructor during office hours. Discuss assignments and ask about studying the Ancient Mediterranean world.
- Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in October.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Sign up for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) if eligible.
- Join the Classical Forum and explore student organizations related to your community or hobbies.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Apply for a work-study position and learn about working at a university.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Build on your completed elementary language and start the intermediate courses (numbered 100-102).
- Begin your second required elementary language sequence and declare the major.
- Explore options for a semester abroad with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Attend the AGRS Undergraduate Reception and mingle with fellow students and professors.
- Check out departmental resources from AGRS.
- Attend the Sather Lecture series.
Discover Your Passions
- Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
- Apply for a department travel award to support study, travel, and excavation abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss your career options and goals with Berkeley Career Engagement and Tang Center counselors.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Start senior reading courses in Greek or Latin (numbered 103+).
- Start intermediate courses (100-102) in your second language.
- Ask the major advisor about the AGRS honors program.
Connect and Build Community
- Explore resources from the Aleshire Center for the Study of Greek Epigraphy.
- Join the Society for Classical Studies.
Discover Your Passions
- Do a URAP archiving ancient papyri at the Center for the Tebtunis Papyri.
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
- Consider submitting your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Volunteer to represent AGRS at an event.
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
- Study and intern in government with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Sign up for a LinkedIn profile and join the UC Berkeley Classics Group.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses.
- Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
- Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Become an editor of the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.Utilize job search tools from the Career Center.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Attend employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Students majoring in Greek and Latin acquire the skills and develop the discipline to succeed in graduate study as well as many different fields, including business, law, tech, and education.
Jobs and Employers
- Atomic VC, General Counsel
- Bornstein Law, Associate
- Gracenote, Senior Manager
- Harvard Westlake Sch., Lang. Teacher
- Invitae, Software Engineer
- JAMA Network, Manuscript Editor
- Jibrel, Head of Marketing
- Kirkland and Ellis, Partner
- Murray Hill Institute , Administrator
- Newport Hist. Soc., Visiting Curator
- NYC Dept. of Education, Teacher
- Pacific Boychoir Acad., Latin Teacher
- Salesforce, Lead Solution Engineer
- UC Regents, Recording Secretary
- Univ. of Illinois, Asst. Professor
- Univ. of Oregon, Asst. Professor
- U.S. Dept. of State, Foreign Svc. Ofcr.
- Zocdoc, Sales Ops. and Strategy Analyst
Graduate Programs
- Anthropology, PhD, Univ. of Chicago
- Classics, PhD, Univ. of Washington
- Classics, PhD, Columbia Univ.
- Law, JD, NYU
- PhD Candidate, UC Berkeley
- PhD Student, UCLA
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April. AGRS hosts an information table with current students and faculty. There is an AGRS presentation as well.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students. Attend an AGRS event to explore the major.
Events
AGRS has special events and lectures throughout the year. Check out dagrs.berkeley.edu and sign up for our mailing list to be notified.
Advising
Meet with Undergraduate Advisor Cassandra Dunn:
- Schedule and appointment via Calendly
- Email: cassandrajj@berkeley.edu
- Phone: (510) 642-3672
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
