It's a pity. The decline in the teaching of classics in the US mirrors the overall decline in the standard of education. Personally, I am afraid that it also reflects a self destructive streak of denying the value of our cultural roots in favor of fads.

I attended Oxford University and although I don't know how it is these days but when I was there the classics course, known as 'Greats' was still considered the most difficult and most prestigious degree subject.