Academics
Find Your Program
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?

Classics and Italian Faculty

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.

The Ancient Studies major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.

Community Voices

Spotlight on Ancient Studies students and alums

Then and now: Emily Isakson ’19

Emily Isakson ’19

she/her

Ancient education, modern opportunities

Emily Isakson ’19

Forging a career in the museum world

Gina Ciralli ’14 Project coordinator, “Inside Out,” Philadelphia Museum of Art

EXPLORE MORE 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.

Major Requirements

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 32 credits:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
At least one 4 credit course at or above the level of GREEK-102 or LATIN-102		4
At least one 4 credit art historical or archaeological course focusing on the ancient Mediterranean		4
At least one 4 credit literary or mythical course focusing on the ancient Mediterranean or India		4
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 above		4
Total Credits		32

Additional Specifications

The Ancient Studies major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.
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)

Minor Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A minimum of 20 credits:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Two 4 credit courses, each from different areas of concentration		8
At least one 4 credit course at the 300 level		4
8 credits from relevant 4 credit courses in art history, classics, history, Asian studies, philosophy, religion, or politics		8
Total Credits		20

Additional Specifications

The Ancient Studies major and minor are available only to students who entered the College before fall 2024. Students entering fall 2024 or later should instead refer to Classical Studies.

Courses

Related Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Art History
ARTH-290AR	Issues in Art History: 'Art and Experience in Ancient Rome'	4
Classical Studies
CLAS-101	Elementary Latin I	4
CLAS-102	Elementary Latin II	4
CLAS-111	Elementary Greek: Homer's Iliad	4
CLAS-112	Elementary Greek: Homer's Iliad	4
CLAS-201	Intermediate Latin I	4
CLAS-202CE	Intermediate Latin II Topics: 'Cicero and the Enemies of the Roman Republic'	4
CLAS-202RC	Intermediate Latin II Topics: 'Roma Ludens: Comedy and Satire in Ancient Rome'	4
CLAS-202VA	Intermediate Latin II Topics: 'Vergil: Aeneid'	4
CLAS-202WR	Intermediate Latin II Topics: 'Myth, Memory, and History: Writing the Past in the Roman Republic'	4
CLAS-216	Ancient Rome	4
CLAS-218	Gods and Mortals: Classical Mythology	4
CLAS-226	Bread and Circuses: The Politics of Public Entertainment in Ancient Rome	4
CLAS-227	Ancient Greece	4
CLAS-231	Greek Tragedy, American Drama, and Film	4
CLAS-242	Kingdoms Human and Divine	4
CLAS-247	Knowing God	4
CLAS-250AR	Intermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'Art and Experience in Ancient Rome'	4
CLAS-250EC	Intermediate Topics in Classical Studies: 'Ecology, Crisis, and Renewal in Ancient Near Eastern Mythology'	4
CLAS-295	Independent Study	1-4
CLAS-302	Cicero and the Enemies of the Roman Republic	4
CLAS-307	The Slender Muse	4
CLAS-309	Vergil: Aeneid	4
CLAS-312	Roma Ludens: Comedy and Satire in Ancient Rome	4
CLAS-313	Myth, Memory, and History: Writing the Past in the Roman Republic	4
CLAS-316	Ovid: Metamorphoses	4
CLAS-318	Petronius' Satyricon and the Roman Novel	4
CLAS-320	Bad Roman Emperors	4
CLAS-395	Independent Study	1-8
History
HIST-227	Ancient Greece	4
HIST-228	Ancient Rome	4
HIST-320	Bad Roman Emperors	4
Philosophy
PHIL-201	Philosophical Foundations of Western Thought: The Greek Period	4
Politics
POLIT-211	Classical Political Thought	4
Religion
RELIG-225KG	Topics in Religion: 'Knowing God'	4
RELIG-225KH	Topics 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.

413-538-2885
112 Ciruti Center

Denise Falk

Academic Department Coordinator

413-538-2885

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