ANCIENT HISTORY
Studying ancient history requires the ability to work with different types of evidence surviving from antiquity, including both literary texts and material culture. Your language of choice should be related to the primary materials in the area of the world or period of history that most intrigue you. Graduate programs will be looking for students to be able to work in at least one ancient language at the advanced level, and preferably some experience of a second ancient language. Training in French or German is also recommended.
a) CLAS 101 The Classical Mediterranean and Middle East
b) a context course providing a deep historical perspective on the classical periods of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Good choices for history include:
- CLAS 121 – The Greek World
- CLAS 122 – The Roman World
- CLAS 127 – Women, Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome
- CLAS 130 – Early Arab and Persian Empires
- CLAS 135 – India and Rome
- CLAS 145 Pagans, Christians and Jews
c) Study in a language at least to the intermediate level (Arabic, Greek, Hebrew or Latin).
d) A major research paper in a Classical Mediterranean and Middle East, History, Art History, Anthropology or other appropriate course.
e) 490 Senior Seminar.
f) Electives chosen from the offerings of the department, such as:
- CLAS 123 Introduction to Archaeology
- CLAS 260 Introduction to Ancient and Medieval Art
- CLAS 155: January in Rome
- CLAS 270 Cultural Resource Management
- CLAS 285 Making Imperial Cities: Babylon, Rome and Constantinople
- More language courses
Watch particularly for courses cross-listed with History, Religious Studies, and Art History. You may also want to consult with your adviser about potentially taking other relevant courses in other departments, such as:
- HIST 379 The Study of History (highly recommended)
- RELI 100 Introduction to Islam
- RELI 120 Hebrew Bible
For study abroad, we recommend working in the region of your main interest, such as in Rome, Greece, Israel, Turkey, or Egypt.
MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES
a) CLAS 101 The Classical Mediterranean and Middle East
b) a context course providing a deep historical perspective on the classical periods of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Good choices include:
- CLAS 121 – The Greek World
- CLAS 130 – Early Arab and Persian Empires
- CLAS 135 – India and Rome
- CLAS 145 Pagans, Christians and Jews
c) Study in a language at least to the intermediate level (Arabic, Greek, or Hebrew preferred). Even more language study is encouraged.
d) A major research paper in a Classical Mediterranean and Middle East, History, Art History, Anthropology, Political Science or other appropriate course.
e) 490 Senior Seminar.
f) Electives chosen from the offerings of the department, such as:
- CLAS 194 Background to the Modern Middle East
- CLAS 260 Introduction to Ancient and Medieval Art
- ART 281 Art and Architecture of the Ancient Near East
- ART 282 Art and Architecture of the Islamic World
- ART 285 Making Imperial Cities: Babylon, Rome & Constantinople
- More language courses.
Watch particularly for courses cross-listed with History, Art History and Religious Studies.
For study away, we strongly recommend a semester in the modern Middle East. Classical Mediterranean and Middle East majors have studied in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, Israel and other countries.
You might also consider a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization.