Foreign Languages, Literature, and Linguistics > Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, is an all-encompassing course that charts the evolution of the Greek and Latin languages and literature until the fall of the Roman Empire. There are five major classical tongues, namely:

  • Tamil (designated in 2004)
  • Sanskrit (2005)
  • Kannada (2008)
  • Telugu (2008)
  • Malayalam (2013)
  • Odia (2015)

Above are the six languages currently recognized as "Classical". Among living languages, Sanskrit is the eldest; hence it has the longest history. Devbhasha is the name for Sanskrit, which appears to influence every European language. Sanskrit is universally regarded as the oldest living language by the world's educational organizations. Students of classical languages get a foundational understanding of the ancient Mediterranean world via studying Greek and Latin languages and literature. Students who major in classical languages take Greek and Latin up to the 4000 level and courses in classical archaeology and society.