At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The CAMS minor recognizes the completion of a broadly interdisciplinary study of the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean world through 18 credits of course work, including 6 credits at the 400-level. The courses offered are concerned with the cultures of the ancient Near East, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome in such fields as civilization, archaeology, history, philosophy, religion, and mythologies. Students who complete the Penn State Athens Education Abroad Program and its prerequisite course may apply to receive the minor. Students in the minor may also receive credit for participating in approved archaeological fieldwork in the Mediterranean region. While the study of language is not required, students are encouraged to study the appropriate ancient languages. The minor is especially suitable for students in such fields as history, medieval studies, anthropology, literature, philosophy, and education.
What is Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies?
Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) is the study of ancient civilizations that arose and flourished around the Mediterranean basin (including Egypt, Greece, Rome, Anatolia, Israel, Mesopotamia, and North Africa) from the “cradle of civilization” in Mesopotamia (ca. 4000 BCE) to the end of Greco-Roman antiquity (ca. 600 CE). CAMS investigates the whole scope of the ancient Mediterranean world and trains students to interpret the linguistic and archaeological evidence of the greatest ancient cultures.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You want to learn the methods of archaeology and archaeological interpretation with the goal of reconstructing the social practices and historical development of different peoples in the ancient Mediterranean.
- You want to master an interdisciplinary subject with a long-term perspective on the human condition and on cultural achievements across diverse geographical regions.
- You want to pursue a career in education, archaeology, or law.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 12 credits from CAMS courses | 12 | |
| Select 6 credits of 400-level CAMS courses | 6 | |
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 Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
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.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS AND ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8851
bdw150@psu.edu