BA in Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Studies

 

Student Brenna Knippen stands in front of her research poster on Heinrich Schliemann’s Colonialism: The Catalyst for the Development of Ottoman Antiquities Policy

 

A Bachelor of Arts in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies (CANES) is not only intellectually fulfilling, but can lead to many prestigious careers. Classical studies also combines well with many additional majors, such as archaeology, anthropology and history.

Students in the CANES major choose to focus in either Greek or Latin, with options to select electives from both languages. Potential courses in the major include Sports and Society in Ancient Greece, Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Near East, Dead Sea Scrolls and Power and Persuasion in the Ancient World. Many students also transfer credits taken abroad toward the CANES major.

Students should consult the coordinator of the CANES program before attempting to transfer credit or declare a major.

 

Capstone in Classical Studies

All students in the CANES major must complete CLAS 4111: Capstone Study in the junior or senior year. During the seminar, students complete practical research that may take the form of an internship with relevant groups such as the Smithsonian Institution or the American Schools of Oriental Research. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students design a culminating project aligned with their interests, previous curricular experience and future goals.

Capstone projects should demonstrate that a student can find and evaluate information about the ancient world in both traditional and digital forms, and demonstrate it clearly. Students submit their results as a written report and present their findings to their fellow CANES majors.

 

Course Requirements

At GW, our Classical Studies program provides a greater understanding of the modern world by concentrating on the sources and values of Western civilization. You will encounter the ideas of ancient thinkers, study ancient history on the Acropolis in Athens, learn about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and follow the adventures of the gods in mythology. You will be immersed in a variety of fields including Greek and Latin languages, ancient history, classical drama and mythology, and the influence of classical civilization on the modern world. Our faculty members stress an interdisciplinary approach and coursework is enhanced by free lectures sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America and the Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage. Gaining important analytical skills, such as critical thinking, persuasive writing, and visual literacy—GW graduates go on to careers in teaching, archaeology, museum work, publishing, and library science.

For more information, visit program website.