Ancient Mediterranean Studies Minor
Ancient Mediterranean Studies (also known as “Classics”) is the interdisciplinary study of the ancient peoples and cultures of the Mediterranean basin, especially Greeks and Romans, including their interactions with one another and other peoples and cultures in the Middle East. It is an attempt to understand the origins of western society through study of related languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and archaeology and art. AMS is fascinating and practical, and its students are capable and successful. They are agile, visionary thinkers and articulate, persuasive global citizens. AMS students are professionals who pursue multiple career paths. They become outstanding teachers, lawyers, elected officials, diplomats, writers, editors, journalists, education and arts administrators, museum curators, doctors, nurses, information technology specialists, and business professionals. Students may minor in Ancient Mediterranean Studies.
In the course of study, Ancient Mediterranean Studies students become:
Deep intellectuals who understand the interconnections of our world.
- They evaluate how the cultures of ancient Greeks and Romans and their neighbors shape the modern world on a global scale.
- They understand how to use these cultures to develop comparative models of thought and behavior leading to enhanced self-understanding.
Creative problem-solvers who can devise multiple solutions for a conundrum.
- They apply analytical skills from fields including language, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and archaeology and art.
- They utilize this interdisciplinary skillset to solve important problems in the study of the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East.
Language experts who understand others and are masters of self-expression.
- They understand and engage other cultures through effective analysis of their language structures and close textual reading.
- They synthesize excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate, write, and present in multimedia formats.
Intercultural diplomats who are attuned to difference and thrive in its presence.
- They demonstrate awareness of cultural difference in language, art, politics, gender, race and ethnicity, religion, and/or socio-economics.
- They apply this insight when examining intellectual, professional, and personal questions to better themselves and act with empathy.
The Ancient Mediterranean Studies minor is dynamic and flexible, allowing students to explore the rich cultural landscape of the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East while complementing other programs of study and distinguishing their resumes. It combines study of language, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and archaeology and art for an interdisciplinary approach to the ancient world. It is the quintessential liberal arts experience, allowing students to apply multiple fields of inquiry to past human experience and then to apply insights about this behavior to pressing modern concerns and problems.