Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ph.D.

Program Overview

The Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers advanced study in languages, literature, history, and culture of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Students develop expertise in core areas such as Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Arabic, and conduct original research under the guidance of established scholars. The program's flexible structure allows for interdisciplinary exploration and prepares graduates for careers in academia, government, business, education, and nonprofit organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced study and research in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies. The program offers a comprehensive examination of the languages, literature, history, and cultures of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.

Objectives:

To familiarize students with the core linguistic, historical, and philological aspects of classical and ancient near eastern studies. To enable students to conduct original research in such varied areas as gender studies, literary theory, translation studies, and classical reception under the guidance of established scholars in these areas.

Outline:

The program's content is organized around four core areas:

Languages:

Students study ancient Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Arabic.

Literature:

Students study the literature of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, including epic poetry, drama, and historiography.

History:

Students study the history of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire.

Culture:

Students study the culture of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, including art, architecture, and religion. The program's structure is flexible. Students can choose to focus on one of the four core areas or to pursue a more interdisciplinary approach. The program also offers a variety of courses that allow students to explore their own interests. The program's course schedule is designed to provide students with a broad overview of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies. Students take courses in all four core areas, as well as a variety of elective courses. The program also requires students to complete a dissertation, which is a major research project that demonstrates the student's mastery of the field. The program's individual modules are designed to provide students with a deep understanding of a particular topic. Each module includes a series of lectures, discussions, and readings. Modules are typically offered on a rotating basis, so that students can take a variety of modules over the course of their studies.

Assessment:

Students are assessed on their knowledge and skills through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams: Students take exams at the end of each semester to assess their knowledge of the material covered in their courses.
• Papers: Students write papers throughout the program to demonstrate their ability to analyze and interpret ancient texts.
• Presentations: Students give presentations in their courses to share their research findings with their classmates.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is the culminating project of the program.
Students must write a dissertation that demonstrates their mastery of the field.

Teaching:

The program's faculty are experts in their fields. They are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education. The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures provide students with an overview of the material covered in their courses.
• Discussions: Discussions allow students to engage with the material in a more interactive way.
• Readings: Readings provide students with the opportunity to learn about the material in their courses in more depth.
• Research: Research projects allow students to apply the skills they have learned in their courses to their own research interests.

Careers:

Graduates of the Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ph.D. program pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Academia: Graduates of the program can pursue careers as professors, researchers, and librarians.
• Government: Graduates of the program can pursue careers in government agencies, such as the State Department and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
• Business: Graduates of the program can pursue careers in business, such as in marketing and public relations.
• Education: Graduates of the program can pursue careers in education, such as in teaching and curriculum development.
• Nonprofit: Graduates of the program can pursue careers in nonprofit organizations, such as in museum education and preservation.