From Classics to Ancient Mediterranean Studies: Departmental Innovation

FAIN: AB-50132-13

Howard University (Washington, DC 20059-0001)
Molly Myerowitz Levine (Project Director: July 2012 to October 2015)

A three-year series of faculty workshops, public lectures, and course development activities leading to the transformation of Howard University's Classics Department into a Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies.

The Department of Classics at Howard University requests NEH support for a series of workshops and public lectures by visiting scholars who work in two areas: (1) cultural connections in the ancient Mediterranean and (2) the classical tradition with emphasis on Classica Africana. The planned workshops will provide the intellectual underpinning for our process of transformation into a Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies. The public lectures will introduce the Howard community to a new degree program in ancient Mediterranean studies planned to replace the former Classical Civilization degree, terminated as of 2015. The grant proposal requests funds to develop the full Ancient Mediterranean Studies degree program, especially (1) to provide funds to bring in outside scholars as guest lecturers/workshop leaders; (2) to procure reading materials to be used as shared readings for our core team; (3) to create opportunities for our core team to study, innovate and plan together.