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Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) major offers a broad, integrated program of instruction on the ancient Mediterranean world. Students read ancient literature and examine the remains of ancient societies to ponder basic questions about the meaning and value of human life. The CAMS major is concerned with the social, political, economic, and legal systems of antiquity; religions; ancient Mediterranean linguistics, languages and the invention of the alphabet; the beginnings of Western poetry and theatre; the birth and growth of ethical questioning; and the ideals of democracy and ancient law. The CAMS major provides opportunities for study of the physical remains of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome in courses on civilization and archaeology and through an education abroad program in Athens and archaeological fieldwork in Egypt and Israel. Since virtually all known ancient Greek and Latin texts are now available on easily searchable databases on CD-ROM, CAMS majors may develop widely applicable computer skills through elective courses and research with CAMS faculty. Knowledge of antiquity has always been indispensable to intelligent participation in Western society. Today, the oldest of humanistic disciplines is more vital, more wide-ranging, and more current than ever before.Students pursuing the CAMS major follow one of three options: the Ancient Languages option, which requires the study of one or more of the ancient languages offered through the department; the CAMS option, which emphasizes a broadly interdisciplinary study of Mediterranean antiquity and in which students are encouraged but not required to study an ancient language; or the Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology (AMA) option, which primarily combines archaeology courses and appropriate ancient language study.
RELATED EXPERIENCES
All students in the major are particularly encouraged to participate in one of the Penn State Education Abroad Programs and/or archaeological field schools in the Mediterranean region.
CAREER DIRECTIONS
Many CAMS majors proceed to graduate school in classics or in such disciplines as history, anthropology, archaeology, art history, comparative literature, or law. Graduate work is normally required for teaching and research at a college or university, or for museum and library work. Majors planning on graduate study should consult with CAMS faculty before their senior year. As do other Liberal Arts graduates, many CAMS graduates enter various related academic fields, business, or government positions. Some occupations in which CAMS graduates are employed include computer analyst, archivist, editor, museum curator, public relations specialist, and publisher.