Classical Studies, Concentration: Ancient Mediterranean Studies, B.A.

TENURED AND TENURE-TRACK FACULTY:
Josephine Shaya, Chair
Edith Foster
Monica Florence, on leave Fall 2020

The Department of Classical Studies provides students with opportunities to explore the ancient Mediterranean world with a special focus on the period from the eighth century BCE through the fifth century CE. Through the comparative study of ancient languages and cultures, Classics students acquire additional cultural literacy, becoming better critical thinkers and more engaged global citizens. Our primary goal is for students to understand and examine critically the ancient beliefs, values, and traditions that have shaped later cultures.

The study of the Ancient Mediterranean is inherently interdisciplinary and intercultural. Students are encouraged to learn Ancient Greek, Latin, Middle Egyptian, and Hebrew. They will study the ancient literature, archaeology, history, religion, philosophy, and art produced in the Near East and Mediterranean basin, including ancient Mesopotamia, Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The Department accommodates and encourages a semester’s study abroad in the Mediterranean region. Additionally, the Department offers a program of study in Greece through its Wooster in Greece program. Established in 1973, Wooster in Greece is an on-site program of study and travel in Greece and Turkey and an intensive introduction to ancient Greek culture, from the prehistoric to the Byzantine periods. Open to all students, the program offers a unique opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge of ancient and modern Greek culture through an integrated program of reading, class work, and visits to sites and museums. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and appropriate for students from a variety of majors and interests, as well as for those with previous experience in Classics.

Ancient Mediterranean Studies

The concentration in Ancient Mediterranean Studies is one of two within the major of Classical Studies. Through this concentration, students comparatively study multiple cultures in the Near East and Mediterranean basin, including ancient Mesopotamia, Israel, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Our period of study, from the eighth century BCE through the fifth century CE, allows for a particular focus on Greece and Rome, but the approach to the ancient Mediterranean region is interdisciplinary and intercultural. Students in Ancient Mediterranean Studies will examine the ancient literature, archaeology, history, religion, philosophy, and art produced by the network of ancient cultures that relied upon the Mediterranean Sea.

The primary goal of this concentration is to examine critically the ancient beliefs, values, and traditions that have shaped later cultures. Students in Ancient Mediterranean Studies will acquire additional cultural literacy, becoming better critical thinkers and more engaged global citizens.

Major in Classical Studies, Concentration: Ancient Mediterranean Studies

Consists of eleven courses:

Two or three courses in either GREK or LATN, at least one at the 200-level

Two of the following courses:
AMST 20400 - Greek Civilization /HIST 20400 Ancient Greek History
AMST 20500 - Roman History /HIST 20500 Roman History
AMST 22000 - Mythology of the Ancient World
AMST 22100 - Ancient Theater: Tragedy and Comedy
AMST 22600 - History of Ancient Medicine
AMST 260xx - Special Topics in Classical Literature
AMST 26100 - Studies in Ancient History
One elective from cross-listed courses accepted for CLST credit
Three electives from Classical Studies or cross-listed courses accepted for CLST credit
CLST 40100 - Junior Independent Study
CLST 45100 - Independent Study Thesis
CLST 45200 - Independent Study Thesis

Special Notes

Language Requirement and Courses: The concentration in Ancient Mediterranean Studies requires a minimum of one semester of ancient Greek or Latin at the 200-level or higher. Most students will need to take GREK 10100 and 10200 or LATN 10100 and 10200 as well as GREK 20100 or LATN 20100. Incoming students who have previously studied ancient Greek or Latin will be placed in the appropriate languages courses through the College’s foreign language placement exams, which are administered during Summer registration for first year students. Students may satisfy the College’s language requirement, and the requirement of introductory ancient Greek or Latin, by testing out of GREK 10100 and 10200 or LATN 10100 and 10200. Majors, however, must take a minimum of one upper-divisional language course at The College of Wooster or an equivalent university during a semester abroad. If a student completes a language course below the level recommended by the placement exam, the student will not receive credit toward graduation for that course without prior permission of the Department Chair. The College’s advanced placement policy is explained in the section on Academic Policies .
Majors who intend to pursue graduate studies in Classics are strongly urged to complete four years of Ancient Greek and four years of Latin.
S/NC courses are not permitted in the major or minor.
Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major or minor.