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BA in Ancient Mediterranean Studies

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Interpret the past to understand the present

What is Ancient Mediterranean Studies?

Ancient Mediterranean studies (Classics) explores the languages, literature, mythologies, and daily life of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. You’ll dive into the Latin language, and the texts, artifacts, and ruins that shaped these civilizations, while thinking deeply about how their questions, stories, and structures still influence our world today.

This major is more than reading old texts. You’ll combine language learning with multidisciplinary inquiry: translating, analyzing material remains, and interpreting myths, medicine, politics, and society. It’s a puzzle, sometimes pieces are missing, but you’ll learn to think critically, creatively, and rigorously.

Why study Ancient Mediterranean Studies?

Studying the ancient Mediterranean teaches you to tackle big mysteries: How did societies organize themselves? What did people believe, and how did that shape their lives? How do ancient ideas matter today?

By working with ancient languages, you build precision, deep reading ability, and analytical rigor. You also gain flexible, highly sought-after skills, problem-solving, translating, data analysis, and creative communication, that apply to all kinds of modern careers.

Why study Ancient Mediterranean Studies at Beloit College?

At Beloit College, ancient Mediterranean studies is hands-on, collaborative, and future-focused. You work closely with experienced faculty who see your major as more than academic: they help you build real-world skills, connect theory to practice, and grow professionally. You’ll learn to produce your own knowledge, not just consume it.

You’ll also learn alongside peers, building community through student symposiums, honor societies, and collaborative research. Your work has real-world relevance, whether you’re investigating ancient medicine, interpreting Greek tragedy in the classroom and on the stage, or analyzing classical myth in modern media. Beloit College’s approach encourages you to ask hard questions, use classical thinking to envision new structures, and bring creativity to your work in classrooms, communities, and beyond.

Details

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Specialization

Major

Credits Required

10 units (40 semester hours)

Format

In-person

Related Departments & Schools

Greek, Latin, & Ancient Mediterranean Studies

Related Offerings

Ancient Mediterranean Studies curriculum

In this major, you study Latin, literature, material culture, and history, combining linguistic training with interpretive and analytical methods. The curriculum grows your ability to read, interpret, and question the ancient world, and to apply what you learn to modern problems.

Ancient Mediterranean Studies Major (10 Units)

Courses with asterisks (*) apply only if topic is appropriate. Consult with a Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies advisor for approval.

Six departmental units:
1. Completion of at least 3 courses in either Greek or Latin.
2. Three courses selected from the following: Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies 100, 200, 201, 205, 206, 207, 215.
Supporting courses (4 units):
1. Either Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies 202/History 221 or Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies 204/History 222.
2. Three courses chosen in consultation with the advisor. Especially recommended are: Anthropology 110; Art History 150* and 210; Philosophy 200 and 350; Political Science 280; and appropriate critical identity studies courses.
Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in overseas study.

All courses build your skills in language, translation, cultural analysis, and problem-solving through close reading and research.

[GLAM 100] Classical Mythology: From the wrath of Achilles to the Golden Bough, this class examines how ancient civilizations used mythology to make sense of their world. Students develop skills in literary and contextual analysis while investigating the intellectual traditions of myth and its role in intercultural exchange. The class also focuses on how the study of the ancient world can help students understand and appreciate their own modern mythologies.
[GLAM 202] Greek Civilization: What can a study of the ancient Greeks teach us about history, politics, philosophy, law, literature, gender, sexuality, and art? And how reliable are works of literature as historical sources? This course follows the birth and progression of Greek societies from the Bronze Age through the death of Alexander the Great.
[GLAM 242] Roman Philosophy: How did Roman writers make sense of the natural world, human societies, and the place of the individual within these systems? This course explores representative philosophical writings of Cicero, Lucretius, Seneca, and Augustine.
[GLAM 343] Roman Laughter and Society: Exploration of the comic as a critical key to social history and the Roman mind. Approaches to the intersection of humor and society: how the comedic illustrates and reveals issues of class structure and social ethics, personality and stereotype, power politics and statesmanship.

Ancient Mediterranean Studies outcomes

Earning this major equips you with analytical thinking, linguistic precision, and creative problem-solving, all rooted in a deep understanding of how ancient ideas still matter.

Students completing the Bachelor of Arts in ancient Mediterranean studies at Beloit College can:

Read and translate Latin.
Interpret literary and historical texts from the ancient Mediterranean.
Critically engage with material culture from the ancient Mediterranean world.
Apply close reading, empirical reasoning, creative thinking, and research design to questions about the past.
Act as thinkers and creators of knowledge, connecting the ancient Mediterranean past to contemporary issues.
Work independently and collaboratively on scholarly or practical projects.
Utilize professional networks built through scholarly and practical projects.

Communications & Media: Share information through writing, outreach, and storytelling in print, online, or broadcast media. ($45,000 → $100,000+)
Cultural Resource Management: Evaluate, document, and preserve sites and materials in compliance with preservation laws. ($45,000 → $80,000+)
Education & Academia: Teach, advise, and research within schools, colleges, or universities in specialized disciplines. ($35,000 → $90,000+)
Museum & Heritage Curation: Curate, interpret, and preserve artifacts, art, and documents for public learning. ($45,000 → $80,000+)
Publishing: Develop, edit, and produce educational or cultural content for print and digital audiences. ($40,000 → $80,000+)
Tourism & Heritage Interpretation: Design educational programs or tours that connect visitors with history and culture. ($35,000 → $70,000+)

Reviewed on November 2025. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary figures shown here are estimates. Actual pay will vary by position, industry, location, education, and experience. Some pathways and positions may require additional education or certifications. For more detailed information, please explore reputable career and salary resources.

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