IPAH's curriculum includes courses from both of our sponsoring departments, as well as electives tailored to each student's particular interests. The curriculum is designed to provide flexibility for students while ensuring their credentials for obtaining jobs at the end.
Although there are, of course, requirements and high expectations, the program is also flexible enough to accommodate students' specific interests by not overwhelming them with too many required courses and exams. We actively encourage interdisciplinary exploration.
Students take courses during their first three years in the Program, with the expectation of completing all examinations at least by the end of their third year. Students should take three or four courses each term, unless there are other demands on their time.
The curriculum includes:
History 615 (required, taken in the first year), introduces new students both to current historiography outside ancient history and to other graduate students in the History Department.
History 630, an introductory seminar in methodology (required, offered in alternate years). This seminar emphasizes historical interpretations, methodology, and comparative studies, as well as their relevance to ancient history. The seminar familiarizes students in the Program with the broad range of materials and skills required for the modern study of ancient history.
Greek and Roman Literature Survey courses, (Greek 571/572/573 and Latin 571/572/574). At least one course from each sequence is required. These survey courses acquaint students with the broad literary context of the periods that they are studying, as well as securing their language skills.
Two research seminars with research papers (required): 600- or 700-level in History, 800-level in Classical Studies, or (subject to approval of the Director) a seminar at an equivalent level from another department or program.
Two cognate courses (required), which may include courses in ancillary disciplines (such as literary criticism, epigraphy, papyrology, Roman law, numismatics) or in comparative areas of history.
Other electives may include courses in ancillary disciplines, courses from other allied departments and programs (such as Middle East Studies, Judaic Studies, or Anthropology), and additional reading courses in Greek and Latin authors.
Most of our students take or audit additional courses after they have completed preliminary exams and are writing their dissertations. Our students also complete certificates offered by other departments, such as Museum Studies, Judaic Studies, Disability Studies, LGBTQ Studies, Women’s Studies, and the Graduate Teacher Certification Program.
