Sir,- It is with a sense of alarm and sadness that we have learned of the decision of the Queen's University of Belfast to cease to offer Greek, Latin and Classical Studies as subjects within its humanities programme.
This decision has been taken apparently for economic reasons and despite the outstanding teaching and research record of the teachers involved and the excellent rating they received in the subject review process.
Since its foundation more than 150 years ago, Queen's has wisely recognised the importance of offering its students the opportunity of studying the Graeco-Roman world, a world worthy of study not only for its own intrinsic values and achievements, but also for the fact that it provides the roots of our Western civilisation.
We remember that down through the generations this tradition has been graced by scholars who have been giants in the field of Classics and through their scholarship have brought distinction to their university.
We appeal to those responsible for this decision to bear in mind, on both academic and purely materialistic terms, its detrimental implications for Queen's international reputation as a centre for the study of the humanities. - Yours etc.,
Dr PAT CRONIN, Director, Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies at Athens; Dr CHRISTINE MORRIS, Leventis Senior Lecturer in Greek Archaeology and History, Trinity College, Dublin 2.