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:

Seven (7) Ancient Studies Core courses
Three (3) elective courses in the student�s designated Area of Interest
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)

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.

Ancient Studies

Major

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