Skip to main content
St. Vincent Homepage

Classical Thought

  • Minor

Integrating Faith, Reason, and the Classical World

The ways of thinking developed in the classical world are important for understanding ourselves as part of a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts community. The Catholic Intellectual Tradition values the integration of faith and reason, which led the early Church to build on the philosophical ideas of the Greco-Roman world. As Christianity spread, it engaged with the wisdom of other cultures, creating rich opportunities for learning that remain important today. Saint Benedict himself was educated in this classical tradition. Although he left Rome to follow his spiritual path, his founding of monasteries and their schools ultimately brought Rome’s influence into his work.

Undergraduate Programs

Program Highlights

  • The classical thought minor pairs perfectly with majors like theology, political science, education, or philosophy.
  • This minor provides a strong foundation for teaching in classical or Catholic schools.
  • You can study in Rome through the Summer Institute in Rome and experience how classical thought shaped the Eternal City.
  • Studying Latin strengthens your vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
  • Pairing this minor with other majors gives you career opportunities as a teacher, professor, librarian, tour guide, researcher, author, and more.

Curriculum Requirements

  • Required Courses

    Required:
    • PL-102 Art of Socratic Dialogue
    • PL-121 Logic and Theory of Knowledge 
    • PL-201 Ancient Philosophy 
    • HI-102 Ancient Greece and Rome 
    • LT-101 Elementary Latin I*
    • LT-102 Elementary Latin II*
    • ED-232 Introduction to Classical Education +
    Plus, 2 electives in Classical Texts from the following:
    • AR-101 Caves to Cathedrals
    • EL-210 Classical Greek Poetry and Drama
    • PL-262 Music and the Soul
    • PL-303 Eastern Thought
    • PL-305 Special Topics
    • TH-201-209
    • TH-210-TH-221
    • TH-230- TH-237
    • TH-240 Hist./ Biblical Interpretation
    • TH-310 Theology of Eastern Christianity
    • PS 205 Classical Political Thought
    • PL-273/PS-235 Roman Political Thought

    * Students may test out of these courses
    + Offered every other spring in odd-numbered years

  • Key Courses

    Logic and Theory of Knowledge: This course will help you form the habits of mind necessary for careful thinking in any discipline. Structured around the three acts of the mind (understanding, judging, reasoning), this introduction to Aristotelian logic is the foundation for all your future studies.

    Ancient Greece and Rome: This survey of the foundations of Western Civilization will introduce you to the major events and people of the classical world. Having these "pegs" on your mental timeline will help you place the Great Books and ideas you encounter in future classes into context.

    Introductory Latin I and II: Latin is a precise language and studying it will help you form the habits of mind necessary for any careful study. More importantly, studying Latin will get you closer to the great thinkers who have shaped our Western heritage.

Undergraduate Programs
Back to Top