BSc in Humanities - Ancient and Medieval Studies in Cambridge United States | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This program offers a diverse curriculum spanning multiple disciplines, enabling students to examine ancient and medieval studies through various lenses—from intellectual history and institutional development to material culture, literature, and foundational languages. The program covers approximately 6,500 years, from 5000 B.C. to 1500 A.D.

Its objective is to foster a deeper appreciation of the distant past, both for its intrinsic value and as a subject for contemporary scholarly approaches. We explore institutional frameworks, social systems, and the interplay between societal structures and intellectual traditions, beliefs, and ideologies. Ancient and medieval studies hold particular significance due to their rich, multifaceted records, many of which exhibit exceptional quality in both content and expression.

The Ancient and Medieval Studies Major caters to students eager to comprehend the influences that shaped these historical periods. The program adopts a broad, comparative perspective, encompassing regions from Classical Greece and Rome to ancient Asian and South American civilizations, as well as medieval Europe and Japan. While intermediate proficiency in Greek, Latin, or a medieval language is required, students are not restricted to focusing solely on the cultural area tied to their chosen language.