The University of British Columbia

Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies

This program is pending final approval by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

The Department of Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies offers programs of study that lead to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Arts (M.A.), and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

We offer a unique opportunity to explore the societies of the ancient Mediterranean and the Middle East. Our faculty includes world experts who both teach and research the archaeology, history, languages, literatures, and religions of ancient Egypt, the Middle East, Greece and Rome, including Judaism and early Christianity. Our programs, which can be individually tailored to fit specific interests, foster interdisciplinary study while developing the relevant skill sets to prepare our students for future study and employment.

Our strengths include broad coverage of the societies, cultures, religions, and mythologies of ancient civilizations; in-depth study of the dramatic, historical, legal, literary, and religious texts produced by those civilizations; advanced training in practical methods of archaeology and the interpretation of material and visual culture; training in the primary languages (including Akkadian, Ancient Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Middle Egyptian, and Classical Arabic); and the receptions of antiquity by later eras.

The Department offers courses in ARBC (Classical Arabic), CLST (Classical Studies), CNRS (Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies), GREK (Ancient Greek), HEBR (Biblical Hebrew), LATN (Latin), NEST (Near Eastern Studies), and RELG (Religious Studies).

For current offerings, visit the Department.

For information on advanced degrees, visit CNERS Graduate Programs.

Major in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies

A Major in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies requires the completion of 42 credits, at least 30 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level. The 12 lower-level credits are to be chosen from any course code in the department. As part of the completion of the 30 upper-level credits, students must choose one of five available streams, each of which requires the completion of at least 18 upper-level credits in a certain course code.

Streams

Classical Studies
The study of the archaeology, history, and/or literature of the Greek and Roman worlds.

Upper-level Requirements
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level CLST courses or any of AMNE 306, 316-20, 323-27, 332-33, 345-48, 355-56, 376-77, or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 3 credits selected from CLST 401, 402, 403, 404 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 12 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, PHIL 310, PHIL 311

Near Eastern Studies and Egyptology
The study of the archaeology, history, and languages of Egypt and the Near East.

Upper-level Requirements
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of NEST or AMNE 311-12, 314, 351, 371-72, 382, 391-94, 471, or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website) and up to 6 credits of HEBR
• 3 credits selected from NEST 400, 401, 402, CNRS 410 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 12 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG and up to 6 credits of ARCL

Religious Studies
The study of the texts and traditions of the Ancient Near East, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Upper-level Requirements
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level RELG, any of AMNE 331, 341, 361, 363, 366-67, 373, 383, 461-64 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website)
• 3 credits of RELG 475, AMNE 461, 462 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 12 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG and may include, with prior written approval from the AMNE Undergraduate Advisor, courses in Asian Studies (ASIA) that deal primarily with religion

Classics
The study of Greek and Latin language and literature.

Upper-level Requirements
• 18 credits in GREK and/or LATN
• 12 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG

Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
The study of the material culture and major sites of Greece, Rome, and the Near East in the context of the history and societies that produced them.

Upper-level Requirements
• 12 credits of:
  • CLST 331 or AMNE 376 and CLST 332 or AMNE 377 (or CLST 330)
  • NEST 304 or AMNE 371 and NEST 319 or AMNE 372
• 3 credits from CLST 401 or AMNE 420, CLST 403 or AMNE 470, NEST 400, NEST 402 or AMNE 471, CNRS 410 or AMNE 472
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, and may include up to 6 credits ARCL

Honours in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies

Admission into the Honours program requires an overall average of 76% and the permission of the department. Students are expected to maintain an 80% average in the program. An Honours in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies requires the completion of 60 credits, at least 48 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level. The 12 lower-level credits are to be chosen from any course code in the Department of AMNE. As part of the completion of the 48 upper-level credits, students must choose one of five available streams, each of which requires the completion of at least 27 credits in a specific course code unless otherwise stated. Remaining credits may come from any AMNE department offerings. Courses must include CNRS 449, the title under which students earn 6 credits for their honours thesis.

Streams

Classical Studies
The study of the archaeology, history, and/or literature of the Greek and Roman worlds.

Upper-level Requirements
• 24 credits of 300- and 400-level CLST or any of AMNE 306, 316-20, 323-27, 332-33, 345-48, 355-56, 376-77, an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website)
• 3 credits from CLST 401, 402, 403 or 404 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 18 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, PHIL 310, PHIL 311
• 6 credits of or CNRS 449 or AMNE 499.

Near Eastern Studies and Egyptology
The study of the archaeology, history, and languages of Egypt and the Near East.

Upper-level Requirements
• 24 credits selected from 300- and 400-level NEST, RELG 305, 306, AMNE 311-12, 314, 351, 371-72, 382, 391-93, 471, or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website) and up to 6 credits of HEBR
• 3 credits of NEST 400, 401, 402, CNRS 410 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, may include up to 6 credits of ARCL
• 6 credits of CNRS 449 or AMNE 499.

Religious Studies
The study of the texts and traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Upper-level Requirements
• 24 credits of 300- and 400-level RELG, any of AMNE 331, 341, 361, 363, 366-67, 373, 383, 461-64.
• 3 credits of RELG 475, AMNE 461, 462 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar (see Department website).
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, and may include, with prior written approval from the CNERS Undergraduate Advisor, courses in Asian Studies (ASIA) that deal primarily with religion
• 6 credits of CNRS 449 or AMNE 499.

Classics
The study of Greek and Latin language and literature.

Upper-level Requirements
• 27 credits of 300- and 400-level GREK and/or LATN
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG
• 6 credits of CNRS 449 or AMNE 499.

Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
The study of the material culture and major sites of Greece, Rome, and the Near East in the context of the history and societies that produced them.

Upper-level Requirements
• 12 credits in any of CLST, NEST, AMNE 306, 316-20, 323-27, 332-33, 345-48, 355-56 (Classical Studies), AMNE 311-12, 314, 351, 382, 391-93 (Near Eastern Studies), 420, 440, 470, 471, 480.
• 12 credits of:
  • CLST 331 or AMNE 376 and CLST 332 or AMNE 377 (or CLST 330)
  • NEST 304 or AMNE 371 and NEST 319 or AMNE 372
• 3 credits from CLST 401 or AMNE 420, CLST 403 or AMNE 470, NEST 400, NEST 402 or AMNE 471, CNRS 410 or AMNE 472
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, and may include up to 6 credits of ARCL
• 6 credits of CNRS 449 or AMNE 499.

Important: Students intending to pursue graduate work in these fields are strongly encouraged to begin studying ancient languages at the earliest opportunity, and to consult with an advisor. Students interested in archaeology are strongly encouraged to include a field school as part of their program (e.g. a course such as or CNRS 335 or AMNE 395).

Minor in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies

A Minor in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies requires the completion of 30 credits, at least 18 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level.

All courses may be selected freely from the following course codes, as long as students meet course prerequisites: AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, RGLA, and RGST. Students may choose to include up to 6 credits from PHIL 310, 311.