ADVISER: Professor Ratté (Classics)

The chief intent of this minor is to allow students the possibility of significant and structured interdisciplinary work in ancient studies. The adviser for the minor (in consultation with faculty from the student’s major department) is responsible for ensuring that each student’s experience remains cohesive. Nonetheless, this minor adheres to the principle of flexibility and inclusiveness. Each student will build the sort of experience that is most appropriate to his or her needs or desires. This means that the boundaries (temporal, spatial, conceptual) will remain permeable. Each student’s course of study is designed on an individual basis, guided by the student, the student’s adviser in his or her own major department, and the adviser from the ancient studies minor.

A number of CAS departments and programs, as well as institutes and centers, are directly involved in this program: anthropology, classics, comparative literature, East Asian studies, English, fine arts, Hebrew and Judaic studies, history, Irish studies, linguistics, Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, and the Alexander S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies. The minor consists of five 4-point courses, normally to be selected from the appropriate offerings of the departments listed above. All five of the courses selected must be offered by departments other than the student’s major department, and not more than two may be taken in any one department.

Students are furthermore expected to examine at least three different civilizations or cultures in completing this minor. Language courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements of this minor. It is also required that students who choose this minor complete, as a capstone experience, an independent study course. The adviser for the ancient studies minor may assist students in designing a project and in finding an appropriate faculty member to direct this independent study. All programs must be approved by the ancient studies adviser before the student begins to take courses that would fulfill the minor requirements