What is GLAM?
The ancient Mediterranean was a geographically vast, culturally diverse, and profoundly interconnected world, incorporating Egypt and North Africa; modern Turkey and west Asia; and Greece, Italy, and southern to northwestern Europe. The Department of Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (GLAM) centers on the study of the ancient Mediterranean region, especially the ancient Greek world and the Roman Empire, but also ancient Egypt and other cultures and civilizations of the region. GLAM is inherently interdisciplinary, as we examine the ancient Mediterranean world by employing historical, literary, art historical, archaeological, and linguistic approaches to understanding the cultures and societies of this world in all their aspects.
GLAM offers courses in Ancient Mediterranean Studies (ANME), Greek (GRK), and Latin (LAT). Courses in Greek and Latin at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels are offered each year and allow students to engage with ancient texts in the original language. Students can begin studying Greek and Latin at any stage in their Reed career. Prospective majors are encouraged to consult with their advisor about their course of language study. Ancient Mediterranean Studies courses are focused on history, archaeology, or literature in translation. These courses are open to all Reed students, and do not require any knowledge of Greek or Latin.
There are two major tracks in GLAM:
- History and Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean (HAAM), for those students who are most interested in history and material culture.
- Greek and Latin Language and Literature (GLLL), for students who are primarily interested in language study and Greek and Latin literature.
The department also offers three minors in the languages:
- Greek
- Latin
- Greek & Latin
We also have a standing interdisciplinary major:
Many of our students study abroad during their junior year, typically in Athens at College Year in Athens (CYA) or in Rome at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS), known as the “Centro.” Reed also co-sponsors an archaeological excavation on Cyprus that typically runs each summer. This project provides students with hands-on experience in archaeological field methods. The department has several sources of funding that can support student participation in this project.