Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History
Who this program is for
This degree is ideal for anyone fascinated by the civilizations, cultures, and ideas that shaped the ancient world.
It is also well suited to CIE high school graduates interested in history and to adults who want to deepen their understanding of the past — whether for personal enrichment, teaching, writing, or broader cultural and educational work.
You’ll explore the societies of Greece and Rome while developing strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills.
Partner university
Students graduate through Université de la Renaissance d’Haïti (URH), which awards the Bachelor of Arts degree upon completion of all program requirements.
Career opportunities
A degree in Ancient History can lead to diverse and rewarding paths, including:
- Teaching and education
- Museum, heritage, or archival work
- Research and writing in history or the humanities
- Cultural tourism and travel services
- Communication, publishing, and media
Because a bachelor’s degree in any subject is often sufficient for many roles, choosing Ancient History still allows for a broad range of career opportunities. This major is perfect for students who want a degree that builds research, critical thinking, and writing skills applicable in many fields.
Program structure (120 credits total)
1: Ancient History Courses and Capstone Project (35 credits): Study online at your own time and pace.
2: History of the Americas (6 credits)
3: Elective courses/Prior learning (21 credits): This component offers flexible, wide-ranging exploration through optional video courses in many subjects. (See course catalog) These credits can also be fulfilled through prior learning. Students may transfer credits from courses taken at other institutions, and those who have received training in areas such as public speaking, or who regularly participate in activities where literature is analysed, lectures are given, or topics related to ethics, history, or the humanities are discussed, may be eligible to receive elective credit for this experience.
4: Second language studies (18 credits): French, Spanish, Ancient Greek, or a combination of languages. Students that have already achieved intermediate/conversational level in a second language may be awarded the full number of credits for this module.
5: Work experience (40 credits): 2,000 hours of professional or volunteer work experience relevant to history and humanities, such as research, writing, museums, archives, libraries, education, archaeology-related activities, communication, community work, volunteer roles, or any other experience that demonstrates skills useful in historical study.
The structure above is the usual framework, but we recognize that every student’s background is different. Your credits can be adjusted according to your strengths. For example, if you have less work experience but are fluent in multiple languages, we may award more language credits and fewer work-experience credits.
Ancient History Course List
The online component of this program includes various courses. Click on the course titles for more information on credits, requirements and course contents.
History of Greece
Tap on any course to see more details.
HIS 205: Origins to Marathon (3 credits)
This course presents a chronological survey of ancient Greek history and culture beginning with the Bronze Age palace states of Crete and Mycenae, the emergence of Greek city states such as Athens and Sparta, Greek colonies, the origins of democracy, and the Persian Wars. Students learn to evaluate the diverse literary and archaeological sources of Greek history and their relationship to legend and poetry. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements and complements other courses in ancient Mediterranean history.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
Ancient History
General Education: Humanities
General Education Learning Objectives: effective communication, global learning, key literacies, critical and analytical thinking
HIS 306: Marathon to Alexander (3 credits)
This course presents a chronological survey of ancient Greek history and culture beginning with the aftermath of the Persian Wars, the Athenian Empire, the Peloponnesian Wars, and the eventual eclipse of Greek city states by the kingdom of Macedon. Students analyze Greek moral values, religious beliefs, and the impact these have had on Western civilization. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements and complements other courses in ancient Mediterranean history.
Prerequisite: HIS 205
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
Ancient History
History of Rome
HIS 208: The Rise of Rome (4 credits)
History of Rome that surveys the origins of the city, the early kings, the establishment of the Republic, Roman expansion in Italy, the Punic Wars, and the rise of the Roman Empire. This course introduces students to the sources of Roman history and illustrates different approaches used by historians to critically analyze said sources. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements and complements other courses in ancient Mediterranean history.
Credits: 4
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
Ancient History
General Education: Humanities
General Education Learning Objectives: effective communication, global learning, key literacies, critical and analytical thinking
HIS 313: The Late Roman Republic (4 credits)
This course surveys the diverse factors that led to the fall of the Roman Republic. Students are introduced to the wide array of characters involved in the breakdown of the Republic as well as their differing world views, motives, and aims. The course also analyzes the social and legal structures employed by the Romans to govern an ever more ethnically and religiously diverse population. Students consider the forces that shaped social and cultural life in the late Republic and analyze the works of the great poets, orators, and historians of the day. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Prerequisite: HIS 208
Credits: 4
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
Ancient History
HIS 324: The Roman Empire (4 credits)
This course surveys the time period from the rise of the Caesars to the disintegration of the empire. Students analyze key factors that shaped events during these centuries, such as the imperial succession, the rise and expansion of Christianity, external enemies, and the demands of governing an enormous empire. The course also examines Roman society during this time period and considers key themes such family, the role of women, urbanization, religion, and entertainment. Rome’s profound impact on western civilization is analyzed and discussed throughout the course. Finally, students explore the disintegration of the empire and evaluate the differing reasons given by historians for the “fall” of the Roman Empire. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Prerequisite: HIS 208
Credits: 4
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
Ancient History
Research Project
HIS 414: Daily Life in Pompeii (6 credits)
An investigation of Pompeii. The principal aim of the course is to assist in training history majors by pursuing the study of one historical topic in detail. The course analyzes how Pompeii has contributed to our understanding of the Roman Empire and daily life in ancient Italy. Students are introduced to the geological and topographical background of Pompeii and the region of Campania. We explore the city's roads, dwellings, and civic and religious buildings to further our understanding of Etruscan, Greek, Samnite, and Roman cultural contributions to the makeup of Pompeii and key events in its history. The course aims to develop students’ skills in comparative analysis as they compare the disparate experiences of Pompeii’s inhabitants (for example, slave girls and upper-class women). Students also consider the economy, industry and lives of workers in the region. Guided by eye-witness accounts, students experience the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and the sudden destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Finally, the course analyzes the afterlife of the city and its refugees. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Prerequisite: HIS 208
Credits: 6
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
Ancient History
Senior Thesis
Capstone Project, 11 credits
Your thesis assignment is to research a subject of your choice related to ancient history and write an essay to present your findings.
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