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Ancient Studies

Undergraduate

Are you interested in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, in how they relate to one another or to ancient India?

Program Overview

Does the prospect of courses in ancient art, literature, history, philosophy, and religion appeal to you? If so, then you should consider a major (or minor) in ancient studies, a program that approaches these ancient civilizations from an interdisciplinary and inclusive perspective. Currently, majors may choose from among three concentrations: art historical/archaeological, historical, or literary/mythological. With the help of an advisor, you can select courses from among a range of offerings in the departments of classics and Italian, art history, Asian studies, philosophy, politics, and religion.

The Ancient Studies major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.

Community Voices

Spotlight on Ancient Studies students and alums

Emily Isakson ’19

Then and now: Emily Isakson ’19

Emily Isakson ’19

she/her

Emily Isakson ’19

Ancient education, modern opportunities

Emily Isakson ’19

Gina Ciralli ’14

Forging a career in the museum world

Gina Ciralli ’14 Project coordinator, “Inside Out,” Philadelphia Museum of Art

EXPLORE MORE STORIES

Courses and Requirements

Learning Goals

Learning goals for students of classics and ancient studies are:

  • To analyze critically ancient Greek and Roman texts, in their original languages and in translation, within their literary, philosophical, and historical contexts.

  • To understand major monuments and artifacts within their historical and cultural settings; to develop a visual literacy of ancient art and sharpen the ability to see and express what one sees.

  • To imagine fully and creatively ancient cultural communities when relying on limited written and material remains.

  • To deepen the understanding of current problems by studying the responses of ancient Greeks and Romans to questions about the human condition, including, how to live well, and how to govern. 

  • To write and speak more confidently and effectively, and to develop well-reasoned arguments using primary evidence and/or secondary material, including print and digital resources.

  • To expand intellectual breadth through studying the ancient Greek and Roman worlds through different disciplines and modes of inquiry.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 32 credits:

At least one 4 credit course at or above the level of GREEK-102 or LATIN-1024
At least one 4 credit art historical or archaeological course focusing on the ancient Mediterranean4
At least one 4 credit literary or mythical course focusing on the ancient Mediterranean or India4
At least two 4 credit historical courses: 8
One course on the ancient Greek world
One course on the ancient Roman world
At least two 4 credit 300-level courses:8
One of which is a designated capstone/research seminar
One of which is in the chosen concentration
One additional 4 credit course at the 200 level or above4
Total Credits32

Additional Specifications

  • The Ancient Studies major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.
  • At least three (4 credit) courses (12 credits total) must be within the chosen concentration
  • Students intending to pursue graduate studies are encouraged to minor in a related area (e.g., art history, classics, history, one of the ancient languages, philosophy, or religion)

Requirements for the Minor

A minimum of 20 credits:

Two 4 credit courses, each from different areas of concentration8
At least one 4 credit course at the 300 level4
8 credits from relevant 4 credit courses in art history, classics, history, Asian studies, philosophy, religion, or politics8
Total Credits20

Additional Specifications

  • The Ancient Studies major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.

Related Courses

Art History
ARTH-290GRIssues in Art History: 'Greek Art and Archaeology'4
ARTH-290PEIssues in Art History: 'Pompeii and the Archaeology of Daily Life in the Roman World'4
ARTH-290RAIssues in Art History: 'Roman Art and Archaeology'4
ARTH-290VAIssues in Art History: 'Ancient Greek Vases and Vase Painting'4
Classical Studies
CLAS-101Elementary Latin I4
CLAS-102Elementary Latin II4
CLAS-111Elementary Greek: Homer's Iliad4
CLAS-112Elementary Greek: Homer's Iliad4
CLAS-201Intermediate Latin I4
CLAS-202CEIntermediate Latin II Topics: 'Cicero and the Enemies of the Roman Republic'4
CLAS-202RCIntermediate Latin II Topics: 'Roma Ludens: Comedy and Satire in Ancient Rome'4
CLAS-202VAIntermediate Latin II Topics: 'Vergil: Aeneid'4
CLAS-202WRIntermediate Latin II Topics: 'Myth, Memory, and History: Writing the Past in the Roman Republic'4
CLAS-216Ancient Rome4
CLAS-218Gods and Mortals: Classical Mythology4
CLAS-219Cleopatra: The Not Humble Woman4
CLAS-226Bread and Circuses: The Politics of Public Entertainment in Ancient Rome4
CLAS-227Ancient Greece4
CLAS-231Greek Tragedy, American Drama, and Film4
CLAS-242Kingdoms Human and Divine4
CLAS-247Knowing God4
CLAS-250ECIntermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'Ecology, Crisis, and Renewal in Ancient Near Eastern Mythology'4
CLAS-250PEIntermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'Pompeii and the Archaeology of Daily Life in the Roman World'4
CLAS-250PVIntermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'The Prophetic Voice from the Bible to the Present'4
CLAS-250RAIntermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'Roman Art and Archaeology'4
CLAS-250VAIntermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'Ancient Greek Vases and Vase Painting'4
CLAS-295Independent Study1-4
CLAS-302Cicero and the Enemies of the Roman Republic4
CLAS-307The Slender Muse4
CLAS-309Vergil: Aeneid4
CLAS-312Roma Ludens: Comedy and Satire in Ancient Rome4
CLAS-313Myth, Memory, and History: Writing the Past in the Roman Republic4
CLAS-316Ovid: Metamorphoses4
CLAS-318Petronius' Satyricon and the Roman Novel4
CLAS-320Bad Roman Emperors4
CLAS-395Independent Study1-8
History
HIST-226Bread and Circuses: The Politics of Public Entertainment in Ancient Rome4
HIST-227Ancient Greece4
HIST-228Ancient Rome4
HIST-320Bad Roman Emperors4
Philosophy
PHIL-201Philosophical Foundations of Western Thought: The Greek Period4
Politics
POLIT-211Classical Political Thought4
Religion
RELIG-225KGTopics in Religion: 'Knowing God'4
RELIG-225KHTopics in Religion: 'Kingdoms Human and Divine'4

Contact Us

Department of Classics and Italian

The Department of Classics and Italian oversees programs in ancient studies, classics, Italian, Greek and Latin.

Denise Falk

Denise Falk

  • Academic Department Coordinator

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