Wofford provides an array of majors, minors, and concentrations for students to pursue and has added a new discipline to this collection: the Ancient World Studies program (AWS). The coordinators of this program are Jessica Tomkins, assistant professor of history, and David Efurd, associate professor and chair of art history and coordinator of Asian studies.
Tomkins expressed extreme gratitude with Wofford’s assembly of faculty members who are experts in the fields of ancient studies.
“The AWS program is a way for Wofford to make the most of the expertise offered by the faculty of Wofford in a way that benefits students with an interest in ancient studies,” Tomkins said.
This is made possible by the numerous faculty at Wofford who teach and research non-western ancient history.
“The ancient world course we already offer at Wofford covers geographical, thematic and disciplinary breadth [that] most other institutions would be envious of,” Tomkins said. “The Ancient World Studies program simply enables Wofford to use this advantage to its fullest potential.”
The program was developed in response to student interests. Tomkins noticed students enjoying courses related to the ancient world, but unable to continue with them due to commitments made to another major. With this program, students are flexible to continue with their majors and pursue a passion for the ancient world from various disciplinary perspectives.
Efurd shared the benefits of expanding one’s educational palette through this program.
“This is a program that provides an opportunity to clarify certain ideas students may have about studying abroad, doing additional research, or working on different projects,” Efurd said.
By requiring five courses across at least three departments, the program ensures that students gain a well-rounded understanding of the ancient world from multiple disciplinary perspectives. These courses are extended across the art history, religion and history departments at Wofford.
A major advantage of this program is its benefit for students considering graduate school as it portrays the perpetual interest the student maintained in the ancient world. Other opportunities provided through this program can be participating in archaeological excavations, museum internships or partaking in specific interim courses, such as traveling to Egypt.
Engaging with ancient texts, archaeological discoveries and artistic traditions promotes the ability to incorporate complex information and draw conclusions. Whether in business, medicine or the arts, the capacity to think critically about past civilizations augments problem-solving skills and helps to draw conclusions factually.
Beyond academia, students can gain critical thinking as an essential skill that future employers look for. This can be learned by gaining an understanding of the ancient world from various perspectives.
Efurd and Tomkins encourage students to venture out and experiment with their academic interests.
“A liberal arts education is about trying a little bit of everything and discovering new things. Be courageous and follow your interest,” Tomkins said.
Students interested can declare the program by filling out the declaration form which can be found on MyWofford, or can send an email to Dr. Tomkins.
With the expertise of Wofford’s faculty and the interdisciplinary structure of the program, the Ancient World Studies program offers students a deeper understanding of the ancient world that created the outlines of the present world today. Whether it is for pursuing graduate studies or following a passion, students now have the resources to engage deeply with the ancient world.
