With its focus on the languages, literatures and cultures of the ancient Mediterranean (especially, though not exclusively, Greek and Roman) and modern Arabic- and Turkish-speaking worlds, this department provides instruction that is crucial to understanding where we are today and how we got here. Courses range from basic instruction in language (Arabic, ancient Greek, Latin, Turkish) and culture for all students in all programs, to advanced work preparatory to many rewarding careers, for example, in government, law, academia, communications, education, management and other fields. Given the emerging role of the Middle East in world affairs, study of its languages and cultures holds great practical benefit.
NOTE: Courses taken on campus for one or two credits cannot count as more than quarter- or half-courses, respectively, if approved for any major or minor in Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean studies.
Harpur College Requirements
Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:
- 126 credits
- 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
- Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
- Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (4 to 5 courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred)
- Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
- 2.0 or higher GPA
Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.
Major Programs in Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Three specializations are offered within the Ancient Mediterranean Studies program:
- Classical Civilization
- Classics, Greek and Latin
- Latin
Any course in which a student receives the grade of P or D shall not count for the major. A student may not major in more than one of these three tracks in Ancient Mediterranean Studies.
Classical Civilization
This specialization offers a grounding in the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean world, Greece and Rome especially, but does not require reading knowledge of the original languages.
| Courses | Number of Courses |
| Any courses listed or cross-listed under Ancient Mediterranean studies (AMS), Greek (GRK) or Latin (LAT) | 7 |
| Courses in ancient archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient art, ancient literature or other courses in classical civilization approved by the undergraduate advisor | 3 |
| Total | 10 |
Note: Not more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the major.
Classics, Greek and Latin
This rich and demanding major program prepares students for serious scholarly work in Latin and ancient Greek. With departmental approval, a special program may be devised that emphasizes both languages equally, or in which one language predominates. For example:
| Courses | Number of Courses |
| Courses beyond 102 in either ancient Greek or Latin | 4 |
| Courses in the other language (ancient Greek or Latin) | 2 |
| Courses listed under Ancient Mediterranean studies (AMS) or those chosen with departmental approval from other departmental offerings, or from ancient archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient art or ancient literature | 4 |
| Total | 10 |
Notes:
- Depending on prior exposure to the language, LAT 101, 102 and GRK 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the major.
- Not more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the major.
- Unless approved by the undergraduate director, neither GRK 391, Teaching College Greek, nor LAT 391, Teaching College Latin, can count toward the major.
Latin
This major builds on a foundation of classical Latin for concentration in ancient or medieval Latin literature and culture.
| Courses | Number of Courses |
| At least five Latin courses beyond 102 | 5 |
| Courses listed under Ancient Mediterranean studies (AMS) or those chosen with departmental approval from other departmental offerings, or from ancient archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient art or ancient literature. | 5 |
| Total | 10 |
Notes:
- Depending on prior exposure to the language, LAT 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the major.
- Not more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the major.
- Unless approved by the undergraduate director, LAT 391, Teaching College Latin, cannot count toward the major.
Major Program in Arabic Studies
The Arabic major requires 10 courses in total. Any course in which a student receives the grade of P or D shall not count for the major.
| Courses | Number of Courses |
| Six courses in Modern Standard Arabic, including 101鈥102, 203鈥204 and 305鈥306 | 6 |
| One course in Arabic Dialect | 1 |
| One course must be an approved course numbered above 306 that is delivered primarily in an Arabic language (whether Modern Standard, Classical or dialect, other than Arabic Dialect required above) | 1 |
| Two elective courses*, i.e., additional to those listed above, and carrying the ARAB rubric, or if not, approved by the undergraduate director. The language of delivery may be Arabic or English. | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
*Options include, but are not limited to, Arabic Literature, Arabic Literature in Translation (such as the Postcolonial Egyptian Novel, Race and Gender in Arab-American Literature), Arabic Word Formation and Origins, Introduction to Islam: Texts and Contexts, Introduction to Qurabic and Classical Arabic, or courses in other critical languages of the Middle East, such as Hebrew or Turkish.
Notes:
- Students with high school or other preparation in Arabic are placed at the appropriate level on the basis of individual consultation with faculty members or, in some cases, by placement tests.
- Not more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the major.
Requirements for Minors
Minor in Classical Civilization
Six courses (24 credits), of which at least three must be listed under Ancient Mediterranean studies (AMS), Greek (GRK) or Latin (LAT), with the remainder to be chosen from ancient archaeology, ancient history, ancient philosophy, ancient art, ancient literature or other courses in classical civilization approved by the undergraduate director. No more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the minor, and three courses must be at the 300-level or above.
Minor in Ancient Greek
Six courses (24 credits) in ancient Greek. No more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the minor, and three courses must be at the 300-level or above.
Minor in Latin
Six courses (24 credits) in Latin. No more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted toward the minor, and three courses must be at the 300-level or above.
Minor in Mediterranean Archaeology
six courses (24 credits). At the 100-level, either 鈥淢editerranean Myths, Then & Now鈥 (AMS 180M) or 鈥淒aily Life in Greece and Rome鈥 (AMS 105) or, in exceptional cases, an equivalent course. One course at the 200-level (choosing from e.g. 281M Materials Matter, 280A Art in the Ancient Greek World, 280C Ancient Cities, 281Y Rome: Archaeology of Empire, 283 The Archaic Mediterranean, 283V Roman Art). Three courses at the 300-level (choosing from e.g. 380E Ancient Roman Economy, 381F The Etruscans, 383Z Archaeological Ethics, 381X Rome鈥檚 Augustan Rebirth, 380A Archaeology of Athens, 380H Hellenistic and Roman sculpture, 381T Trojan War, 380U Urbanism in Antiquity, CLAS480S Ancient Italy in Context). One elective course, listed under Ancient Mediterranean Studies (AMS) or one chosen from cognate subjects, e.g. Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, and History, or one field study or internship course, these last two by advisement of the Undergraduate Director. For any course lacking the 鈥淎MS鈥 prefix, students must seek permission from the Undergraduate Director. No more than two introductory-level (100-level) courses may be counted towards the minor, and three courses must be at the 300-level or above.
Minor in Arabic
The Arabic minor requires Arabic 101, 102, 203, 204, one 300-level Modern Standard Arabic course, and one related course either offered under the ARAB rubric or approved by the department. Two courses must be 300-level or above.
Education Abroad in Arabic
爱豆传媒-sponsored education-abroad opportunities are available for Arabic studies students in Ifrane, Morocco (al-Akhawayn University, where 爱豆传媒 has established an exchange program for fall and/or spring semesters as well as for the summer), where there is an intensive summer program in standard as well as Egyptian spoken Arabic.
There are other education-abroad opportunities for Arabic studies students. Students interested in education-abroad need to consult with the undergraduate director and Arabic studies faculty, especially for pre-approval of credit recognition and credit transfer.
Education Abroad in Ancient Mediterranean Studies
爱豆传媒-sponsored education-abroad opportunities are available for Ancient Mediterranean Studies students in Rome, where there is a faculty-led program centered around Roman archaeology and art. Students interested in an education-abroad program or an archaeological field school need to consult with the departmental undergraduate director, as well as with other faculty in Ancient Mediterranean Studies, especially for pre-approval of credit recognition and credit transfer.
Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.
Ancient Mediterranean Studies Honors Program
The Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) administers the honors program in Classical studies offered by the Department of Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. Honors work shall be open to those majoring in any one of three tracks within Ancient Mediterranean Studies (Classical Civilization; Classics, Greek and Latin; Latin) and may focus on Greek and/or Latin language or literature, or on Greek, Roman, and/or Mediterranean material culture. Honors work shall count toward the 40 credits required by the major. Theses produced by honors students can serve as stepping stones to further study, as writing samples for graduate applications, or as ends in themselves, evidence of special achievement in the major. Students interested in honors must consult with the DUS to determine eligibility, and eligible students must submit an application to the DUS.
Eligibility
To be eligible to earn honors, a Classical studies major must have a GPA of 3.60 in Classical studies, not counting courses taken Pass/Fail. These conditions must be met by a student鈥檚 penultimate semester.
Applying for Honors
Students who wish to commence their honors work in the fall should submit their application by the end of the second week of classes. The deadline for applications for honors in the spring will be January 31. Students should consult with a potential faculty advisor as they complete their application form, and they should have already agreed with their advisor and two readers on their thesis topic. Note that meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee the right to do honors work: applications will be reviewed by potential faculty supervisors, who will then decide which applicants will proceed to conduct honors work.
Thesis
Students writing an honors thesis are required to register for Senior Honors AMS 498. In order to earn honors, the thesis must be judged worthy by the faculty supervisor and the two readers, one of whom must be a member of the department. The designation of honors in Classical Studies is awarded to students who receive at least an A- in the Honors Thesis. For more information, students should refer to the Rules Governing the Preparation of Undergraduate Honors Theses, available from the DUS.