At which campus can I study this program?
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, a minimum of 123 credits is required:
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
General Education | 45 |
Electives | 20-24 |
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements | 24 |
Requirements for the Major | 30-34 |
3 of the 24 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major, General Education, or Electives and 0-12 credits are included in Electives if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.
Per Senate Policy 83-80.5, the college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of coursework in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. For more information, check the Recommended Academic Plan for your intended program.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
B.A. Degree Requirements
Foreign Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one foreign language. See the Placement Policy for Penn State Foreign Language Courses.
B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major; foreign language credits in this category must be in a second foreign language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language)
Other Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
No more than 15 credits in courses numbered 099, 199, 299, 399, or 499 may count toward the requirements for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
CAMS 5 | Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations ![]() | 3 |
CAMS 400W | Comparative Study of the Ancient Mediterranean World | 3 |
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 3 credits in Greek or Roman literature and language, civilization, or archaeology from approved department list | 3 | |
Select 3 credits in Near Eastern literature and language, civilization, or archaeology from approved department list | 3 | |
Select 6 credits, at or above the 100 level, from approved department list 1 | 6 | |
Requirements for the Option | ||
Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select an option | 12-16 |
1 | Appropriate offerings include ancient Near Eastern languages and literatures, ancient history, anthropology, art history, classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, Greek, Hebrew, Jewish studies, Latin, linguistics, philosophy, or religious studies. |
Requirements for the Option
Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology Option (15-16 credits)
Students in this option must complete one season of approved archaeological fieldwork at an ancient Mediterranean or related site. Up to 6 credits of fieldwork may be applied to the Common Requirements for the Major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Additional Courses | ||
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
CAMS 440W | Studies in Classical and Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology | 3 |
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
Intermediate Field Methods | ||
Intermediate Field Analysis | ||
400-level fieldwork course in an approved archaeological project in the Mediterranean region or Near East in consultation with major adviser | ||
Select 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future ![]() | ||
or JST 90 | Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future ![]() | |
or RLST 90 | Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future ![]() | |
Ancient Egypt ![]() | ||
or HIST 104 | Ancient Egypt ![]() | |
or RLST 104 | Introduction to Buddhism ![]() | |
Classical Archaeology--Ancient Greece ![]() | ||
or CAMS 150 | Classical Archaeology--Ancient Rome ![]() | |
Select 3-4 credits of the following: | 3-4 | |
Osteology | ||
Archaeology of the Near East | ||
or JST 420 | Archaeology of the Near East | |
Archaeological Laboratory Analysis | ||
or ANTH 428 | Archaeological Methods and Theory |
Ancient Languages Option (12 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 12 credits at the 400 level in either Greek or Latin or in Akkadian, Aramaic, Biblical Hebrew, Egyptian, Hittite, Sumerian, or other ancient Near Eastern language in consultation with major adviser 1 | 12 |
1 | At least 6 credits must be in one language. |
Classical and Ancient Mediterranean Studies Option (12 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 6 credits at the 400 level from Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS), ancient Near Eastern languages, Greek, or Latin courses | 6 | |
Select 6 credits at the 400 level from approved department list 1 | 6 |
1 | Appropriate courses include ancient Near Eastern languages and literature, ancient history, anthropology, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Jewish studies, linguistics, philosophy, or religious studies. |
Integrated B.A. degree in Anthropology or B.S. degree in Anthropological Science, B.A. degree in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS), and M.A. degree in Anthropology
Requirements for the Integrated B.A. degree in Anthropology or B.S. degree in Anthropological Science, B.A. degree in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS), and M.A. degree in Anthropology can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Majors and Minors web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Classical and Ancient Mediterranean Option: Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ENGL 15, 30H, 137H, CAS 137H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 |
CAMS 5* | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION QUANTIFICATION (GQ) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE (GQ)‡ | 3 | WORLD LANGUAGE LEVEL 2 | 4 |
WORLD LANGUAGE LEVEL 1 | 4 | 00 OR 100 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS* | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CAS 100 | 3 | 100 LEVEL OR ABOVE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 |
00 OR 100 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS* | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GN) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GA) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | B.A. Knowledge Domains | 3 |
WORLD LANGUAGE LEVEL 3 | 4 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE (GN) | 3 | ENGL 202B | 3 |
B.A. KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GA) | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
400 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS OR ANCIENT LANGUAGE* | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
100 LEVEL OR ABOVE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 | 400 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS OR ANCIENT LANGUAGE* | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CAMS 400W* | 3 | HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 1.5 |
B.A. KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
400 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 | 400 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
OTHER CULTURES | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 1.5 | ||
16.5 | 13.5 | ||
Total Credits 123 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in Other Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as Other Cultures courses.
Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology Option: Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ENGL 15, 30H, 137H, CAS 137H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 |
CAMS 5* | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION QUANTIFICATION (GQ) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE (GQ)‡ | 3 | WORLD LANGUAGE LEVEL 2 | 4 |
WORLD LANGUAGE LEVEL 1 | 4 | 00 OR 100 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS* | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CAS 100 | 3 | 100 LEVEL OR ABOVE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 |
00 OR 100 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS* | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GN) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GA) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | B.A. Knowledge Domains | 3 |
WORLD LANGUAGE LEVEL 3 | 4 | COURSE IN ARCHAEOLOGY | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE (GN) | 3 | ENGL 202B | 3 |
COURSE IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS* | 3-4 | 400 LEVEL FIELD WORK* | 6 |
CAMS 440W* | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GA) | 3 |
B.A. KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ||
15-16 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CAMS 400W* | 3 | HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 1.5 |
OTHER CULTURES | 3 | 100 LEVEL OR ABOVE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 |
B.A. KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 1.5 | ||
16.5 | 13.5 | ||
Total Credits 123-124 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in Other Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as Other Cultures courses.
Ancient Languages Option: Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, B.A. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ENGL 15, 30H, 137H, CAS 137H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 |
CAMS 5* | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION QUANTIFICATION (GQ) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE (GQ)‡ | 3 | ANCIENT LANGUAGE LEVEL 2 | 4 |
ANCIENT LANGUAGE LEVEL 1 | 4 | ||
16 | 13 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CAS 100 | 3 | 100 LEVEL OR ABOVE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA* | 3 |
00 OR 100 LEVEL COURSE IN CAMS* | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GN) | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GA) | 3 |
ANCIENT LANGUAGE LEVEL 3 | 4 | B.A. Knowledge Domains | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
100 LEVEL OR ABOVE IN CAMS OR RELATED AREA | 3 | 400 LEVEL ANCIENT LANGUAGE COURSE* | 3 |
400 LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE* | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE (GN) | 3 | ENGL 202B | 3 |
B.A. KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (GA) | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
400 LEVEL ANCIENT LANGUAGE COURSE* | 3 | 400 LEVEL LANGUAGE COURSE* | 3 |
CAMS 400W* | 3 | HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 1.5 |
OTHER CULTURES | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
B.A. KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 1.5 | ||
16.5 | 13.5 | ||
Total Credits 120 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in Other Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as Other Cultures courses.
Career Paths
The study of CAMS requires the mastery of skills in assessing a range of evidence, deliberation and argumentation, analytical thinking, and writing and communication. The perspectives and skills developed as a CAMS student are valued in a wide range of professions, and our graduates have entered a great variety of careers.
Careers
- Secondary and College Level Teaching
- Archaeology
- Secondary Teaching
- Business Leaders
- Law
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Some of our majors plan academic careers in CAMS-related fields. Our students have enrolled in graduate programs in Classics, Ancient History, Near Eastern Studies, Egyptology, Biblical Studies, Archaeology, Art History, and related fields.
Professional Resources
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS AND ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8851
bdw150@psu.edu