Classics and Philosophy Honors Bachelor of Arts

Established in 1948, Honors A.B. (HAB) is the University’s first and oldest honors program. True to Xavier’s Jesuit heritage, the program emphasizes the interdisciplinary study of Classics (Latin and Greek) and Philosophy. Students study the classic texts of Western civilization while fostering deeper understanding of the values and ideals they embrace.

The HAB program prepares students for life in the modern world by developing depth and balance of intellect and an openness to new ideas by examining the roots from which our culture and traditions have sprung.  Candidates for the program are expected to rank high in their high school classes; often they have Latin had high school, although special arrangements can be made for those with no experience in ancient languages, as long as students want to learn them. The program is designed challenge students as undergraduates and prepare them for lifelong learning. HAB graduates pursue careers in a variety of professional, business, and academic areas.

The main objectives of the HAB program are as follows:

1. To provide intense, upper-level Latin and Greek courses at the honors level in which substantial readings of significant Roman and Greek authors are engaged in the original;
2. To provide a range of courses in philosophy for an appreciation of the evolution of ideas about what it means to be human;
3. To provide students with an understanding of the development of ideas about human concerns (e.g. justice, freedom, virtue, faith, allegiance) as they were first expressed to foster a deeper understanding of the values and ideals they embrace.