Student degree pathways remain stable
Students currently enrolled in majors in Ancient and Medieval History, Greek and Roman Studies, or Religious Studies will:
Changes in Arts: The Future of Classics at the University of Calgary
What is changing?
Department of Classics and Religion (CLARE) is projected to close July 1, 2026
Academic staff and programs currently in CLARE are relocating to new departments where their disciplinary strengths best align.
- Classics faculty and their associated programs are moving to the Department of History.
- Religious Studies faculty and their associated programs are moving to the Department of Philosophy.
These transitions follow formal requests from academic staff and consultations across CLARE, History, and Philosophy.
What is not changing?
Classics continues at UCalgary
The study of the ancient world remains an active and important part of the Faculty of Arts.
- Courses in Greek, Latin, ancient history and related fields continue to be offered.
- Faculty members will continue their teaching and research in their new departmental homes.
- Students in existing degree programs will finish their degrees with the same credential names and academic requirements.
1- Keep the same degree titles
2- Continue in the same programs
3- Be taught by the same instructors
Why are these changes happening?
The transition is part of the Faculty of Arts Renewal, launched in 2024 to modernize academic structures and better align programs with disciplinary strengths.
Classics faculty requested alignment with History due to long‑standing scholarly connections and shared curriculum (e.g., Ancient and Medieval History was historically jointly delivered between these units).
Religious Studies faculty identified Philosophy as the best disciplinary home. Note that there is an existing concentration in Philosophy and Religion shared between the disciplines.
Consolidating programs within departments that share similar expertise strengthens the student experience, streamlines academic planning, supports sustainable program delivery and enhances collaboration.
Program Development: What’s Next
The Classics faculty have been invited to consider:
- Concentrations within the BA History and/or
- Minor
* Concentration and minor names both appear on student transcripts.
This decision supports the student and faculty experience, complement planning and long-term sustainability. Classics remains valued and Classics courses continue at UCalgary.
What students, faculty, and community members can expect
Consistent delivery of Classics courses
Courses in Greek, Latin, ancient history, and related areas will continue.
Stable degree completion
All students will complete their current programs with no changes to degree titles or requirements.
Continued faculty expertise
Faculty expertise continues within departments aligned with their disciplinary strengths.
Ongoing communication
The Faculty of Arts will continue engaging with students, faculty and campus partners as the transition progresses.
More information about Arts Renewal is available here: Arts Renewal
Understanding Changes to the Department of Classics and Religion (CLARE)
Academic programs and faculty members in CLARE are moving to new academic homes. Below is what students need to know.
Yes. Courses in the fields of Ancient and Medieval History, Greek and Roman Studies, Greek and Latin, and related fields continue to be offered and taught by the same faculty.
No.
They are simply being housed in new departments:
- Classics programs → move to Department of History
- Religious Studies programs → move to Department of Philosophy
CLARE is closing because its programs and faculty are moving to departments to foster academic alignment. This administrative transition helps strengthen teaching, enhances student learning and collaboration and long-term program sustainability.
No.
Students will graduate with the same degree name they enrolled in. Program requirements and graduation pathways remain unchanged.
Absolutely.
All students currently enrolled in Ancient and Medieval History, Greek and Roman Studies, or Religious Studies will complete their degrees without disruption.
Yes.
All required courses for your program—Greek, Latin, Greek and Roman Studies and Religious Studies courses, and related courses in the field of Ancient and Medieval History—continue to be offered. Faculty continue teaching in their areas of expertise.
These shifts reflect faculty preference, disciplinary fit and historical academic relationships:
- Classics has longstanding ties to History, including co-delivered programs.
- Religious Studies aligns with Philosophy’s disciplinary strengths and historical structure.
No. Your degree title remains the same. Transcripts for concentrations or minors will display those names.
Faculty of Arts is not moving forward with new standalone degrees (e.g., a new BA in Ancient and Medieval History) at this time.
This does not affect current programs or courses. Courses in the fields of Ancient and Medieval History, Greek and Roman Studies, Greek and Latin, and related fields continue to be offered and taught by the same faculty.
Because the changes are administrative, not academic. Student courses, degree requirements and credentials are not changing.
To notify students and to answer any questions, two meetings with student leaders, undergraduate and graduate students occurred in October and November 2025.
CLARE is projected to close on July 1, 2026, after all faculty and programs have transitioned.
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