Major

Ancient Studies is an interdisciplinary major designed for students interested in the languages, arts, religions, histories, and material cultures of peoples living in the ancient world. The Ancient Studies curriculum at Eckerd spans a wide geographical range including the Mediterranean Basin, the Near East, China, Japan, and India. Chronologically, the curriculum focuses on historical periods spanning approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 CE. Because this initiative brings together several disciplines from the humanities and social sciences, it encourages unique collaborative and integrative approaches to liberal learning, providing majors with opportunities to think comparatively and to investigate specific cultures within larger geographical and temporal contexts.

Students who major in Ancient Studies develop competencies in the following:

  • Understanding how culture is received, interpreted, and transmitted across temporal and geographical distances
  • Analyzing ancient textual and material evidence using a variety of methods and approaches
  • Appreciating gaps and sources of conflicting information in the historical, literary, and archaeological records
  • Assessing ways in which traditional interpretations of antiquity and classical heritage have been shaped by contemporary social and political contexts and concerns
  • Attaining greater appreciation for the complexity of studying the ancient world by examining specific cultures and/or geographical regions from multiple disciplinary perspectives

The major in Ancient Studies requires a total of eleven courses:

  1. Seven (7) Ancient Studies Core courses
  2. Three (3) elective courses in the student’s designated Area of Interest
  3. Comprehensive Exam, AS 498

Because Ancient Studies is interdisciplinary, there will always be new courses that count for the major. Students should check with the discipline coordinator to find out about new offerings each term.

I. The Ancient Studies Core

All students must complete seven core courses designed to provide a foundation in three areas: A)Language, B)Material Culture, and C)Ancient History:

LANGUAGE:At least two years of an ancient language are required for the AS major.

Greek Option:

    GK 101-102 Introduction to Ancient Greek I and II and any two of the following: GK 201 Intermediate Greek I: Prose GK 202 Intermediate Greek II: Poetry GK 210: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable for credit) GK 310: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable for credit)

Or

Latin Option:

  • LA 101-102: Introduction to Latin I and II and two of the following:
  • LA 201: Intermediate Latin I: Prose
  • LA 201E: Latin Literature: Nature & the Environment
  • LA 202 Intermediate Latin II: Poetry
  • LA 210: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable for credit)
  • LA 310: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable for credit)

With the permission of the Ancient Studies Coordinator, students may fulfill this requirement with Classical Chinese in combination with its prerequisites.

Normally, students are expected to meet the minimum language requirement through completion of courses offered at Eckerd College. Those who wish to transfer credit in Classical Hebrew, Sanskrit, or other languages designated relevant to the major in Ancient Studies should consult with, and obtain approval from, the Ancient Studies Discipline Coordinator.

MATERIAL CULTURE: One of the following: archaeology, anthropology, or art history courses is required for the AS major. With the approval of the Discipline Coordinator, students may substitute a field experience for course work in thi
s area.

  • AN 201G: Introduction to Anthropology
  • AN 204S: Principles of Archaeology
  • AH 203A: Arts of the Silk Road
  • AH 209A: Ancient Art

HISTORY: Two courses with an historical focus, selected from the following:

  • CL 242H: Ancient Greek History
  • CL 243H: The Roman Republic
  • CL 244H: The Roman Empire
  • EA 201G: East Asian Traditions
  • HI 121G: Big History
  • RE 242H: Scriptures Across Traditions
  • RE 308H: Methods in Religion

With permission of the Ancient Studies Coordinator, other infrequently offered courses that fulfill the goals of the Core may be substituted for one history-related course. Beyond the Core requirements, majors should work with a faculty mentor to select three courses in a designated area of interest. At least one of the courses in the designated area of interest must be offered at the 300-level or above.

II. Areas of Interest in Ancient Studies

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Ancient Literature (in translation)
  • Classical Languages and Literature
  • Comparative Religion, Myth, and Philosophy
  • East Asia
  • Gender and Ethnicity in the Ancient World
  • Greek World and Hellenistic Culture
  • History and Material Culture
  • Near East
  • Roman World and Early Christianity

Specific courses for the areas of interest listed above (from Classics, Religious Studies, East Asian Studies, Philosophy, Art History, History, and Literature) must be selected in consultation with the discipline coordinator.

Currently, the following elective courses may be combined to fulfill "Area of Interest" requirement:

  • AH 203A: Arts of the Silk Road
  • AH 209A: Ancient Art
  • AS 206E: Animals in Ancient Science
  • AS 242H: Epic Poetry in the Ancient World
  • AS 301G: Identity, Race, & Ethnicity in the Ancient World
  • AS 303H: Magic in the Ancient World
  • AS 310H: Animals in Classical and Mediterranean Cultures
  • CL 200H: Classical Mythology
  • CL 203H: Women and Gender in the Ancient World
  • CL 212H: Language and History of Medicine
  • CL 214H: Sport and Spectacle: Past and Present
  • CL 220G: New Diseases in History & Literature
  • CL 242H: Ancient Greek History
  • CL 243H: Roman History: Romulus to Caesar
  • CL 244H: The Roman Empire
  • CL 352H: The Path of Wisdom and Virtue
  • CL 261H: Greek Tragedy in Modern Film and Literature
  • CL 262H: Ancient Comedy in Modern Film and Literature
  • GK 210: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable)
  • GK 310: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable)
  • LA 210: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable)
  • LA 310: Major Authors (topics vary, repeatable)
  • LI 361: Literary Criticism and Theory
  • PL 235H: History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • PL 311H: Major Philosophers (contingent on author)
  • PL 322H: History of Philosophy: Medieval and Renaissance
  • RE 201H: Understanding Religion
  • RE 206H: The Bible, Gender, and Sexual Politics
  • RE 212H: Apocalypse, Utopia, Dystopia
  • RE 219G: Hindu Myth and Ritual
  • RE 240G: Religion, Power, and Difference
  • RE 242H: Scriptures Across Traditions
  • RE 244H: Middle Eastern Religions
  • RE 282H: Religions of China and Japan
  • RE 308H: Methods in Religion
  • RE 323: Gnostics, Heretics, Martyrs
  • RE 336G: Yoga: History, Practice, and Service
  • RE 345H: Jesus in Ancient and Modern Media
  • RE 356G: Religion, War, and Peace
  • RE 440: Seminar: Bible, Theory, Method
  • RE 388H: Paul: Race, Gender, and Empire
  • WG 3
    60H: Sex & Gender in Ancient World
  • Any WT or semester long course abroad focused primarily on the ancient history, material culture, and/or ancient languages of the region.

III. Comprehensive Examination

To complete the major, students must take AS 498, the Comprehensive Examination in Ancient Studies. Exceptional students may be invited to write a Senior Thesis (AS 499) in lieu of the Comprehensive Examination.

A minor in Ancient Studies requires six courses:

Option 1:

  • Two semesters of Latin or Greek, at any level
  • One of the following ancient history courses:
    • CL 242H: Ancient Greek History<
    • CL 243H: The Roman Republic: Romulus to Caesar
    • CL 244H: The Roman Empire
      • RE 242H: Scriptures Across Traditions
    • RE 308H: Methods in Religion
  • Three electives. Any course bearing the designator AS, CL, GK, or LA may count as an elective. Courses bearing RE or PL designators may also count if they appear in the Area of Interest list above.

Option 2:

  • Four semesters at Latin or Greek, at any level
  • Two electives. Any course bearing the designator AS, CL, GK, or LA may count as an elective. Courses bearing RE or PL designators may also count if they appear in the Area of Interest list above.