This review of current attitudes and procedures in the study of philology in graduate schools reveals problems contributing to a weakening of programs in classics and medieval studies. Departmental rivalry and compartmentalization of subject matter among philology, history, and social studies are severely criticized and serve as the stimulus for several proposals for change which are intended to lead to interdisciplinary programs and improved methodological approaches in the study of philology. The author argues that, as a methodology, philology must directly adapt to new needs and circumstances which involve the social sciences in order to maintain its own intellectual freedom. (RL)