1. Academics
  2. Find Your Program
  3. Ancient Studies

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.

ALUM CONNECTIONS

Stories from Ancient Studies 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 ALUM 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

  • 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

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
Classics
CLASS-205Cleopatra: The Not Humble Woman4
CLASS-211Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek and Roman Myth4
CLASS-212Greek Tragedy, American Drama, and Film4
CLASS-226Bread and Circuses: The Politics of Public Entertainment in Ancient Rome4
CLASS-227Ancient Greece4
CLASS-228Ancient Rome4
CLASS-229The Tyrant and Gladiator: Bad Roman Emperors from Caligula to Commodus4
CLASS-239GRTopics in Classics: 'Greek Art and Archaeology'4
CLASS-239PETopics in Classics: 'Pompeii and the Archaeology of Daily Life in the Roman World'4
CLASS-242Sicily: Crossroads of the Mediterranean4
CLASS-253The Spartans: Myth and History4
CLASS-260Knowing God4
CLASS-262Kingdoms Human and Divine4
CLASS-295Independent Study1-4
CLASS-395Independent Study1-8
Greek
GREEK-101Elementary Greek: Homer's Iliad4
GREEK-102Elementary Greek: Homer's Iliad4
GREEK-250Intermediate Greek Tutorial2-4
GREEK-350Advanced Greek Tutorial2-4
History
HIST-226Bread and Circuses: The Politics of Public Entertainment in Ancient Rome4
HIST-227Ancient Greece4
HIST-228Ancient Rome4
HIST-229The Tyrant and the Gladiator: Bad Roman Emperors from Caligula to Commodus4
HIST-253SPTopics in History: 'The Spartans: Myth and History'4
Italian
ITAL-242Sicily: Crossroads of the Mediterranean4
Latin
LATIN-101Elementary Latin I4
LATIN-102Elementary Latin II4
LATIN-201Intermediate Latin I4
LATIN-202Cicero and the Enemies of the Roman Republic4
LATIN-209Vergil: Aeneid4
LATIN-213Myth, Memory, and History: Writing the Past in the Roman Republic4
LATIN-250Intermediate Latin Tutorial2-4
LATIN-302Cicero and the Enemies of the Roman Republic4
LATIN-307The Slender Muse4
LATIN-309Vergil: Aeneid4
LATIN-310Ovid: Metamorphoses4
LATIN-313Myth, Memory, and History: Writing the Past in the Roman Republic4
Philosophy
PHIL-201Philosophical Foundations of Western Thought: The Greek Period4
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

Next Steps

Apply to Mount Holyoke

Mount Holyoke seeks intellectually curious applicants who understand the value of a liberal arts education and are driven by a love of learning. As a women's college that is gender diverse, we welcome applications from female, trans and non-binary students.

Start Your Application

Financing your education

Everyone’s financial situation is unique, and we’re here to make sure cost does not get in the way of an exceptional education.

Affording Mount Holyoke Tuition and Fees