Welcome to Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) at Penn State!
CAMS is the study of cultures that arose and flourished around the Mediterranean basin (including Egypt, Greece, Rome, Anatolia, Israel, Mesopotamia, and North Africa) from ancient Mesopotamia (ca. 4000 BCE) to the end of Greco-Roman antiquity (ca. 600 CE). CAMS investigates the whole scope of the ancient Mediterranean world and trains students to interpret the linguistic, historical, and archaeological evidence of its cultures.
Committed to Diversity
The Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) at Penn State is devoted to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all who study the ancient world. As an open and welcoming academic community, we embrace a view of the ancient Mediterranean and its legacies as the common heritage of all people, regardless of gender, color, race, nationality, religion, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
In keeping with our conviction that scholarship on antiquity benefits from a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, CAMS supports diversity in research areas, classroom activities, and above all in its membership, especially among groups historically underrepresented in the field.
We affirm Penn State’s commitment as a public institution of higher education to effectively serve the members of our communities at all levels—on campus, across the state, and beyond—and we welcome the input of our students, colleagues, and friends as we pursue this goal.
Monica Pineiro named Liberal Arts college marshal for summer 2024 commencement
Monica Pineiro will represent the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts as its college marshal at the summer 2024 commencement ceremony on Aug. 10 in the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park. Pineiro will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and a minor in history.
Profs. Killebrew and Moore promoted!
The Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies is excited to congratulate Ann Killebrew and Christopher Moore on their recent promotions to full professor!
CAMS 45 gets shout-out in Penn Stater magazine
In CAMS 45, students get creative in exploring the modern relevance of ancient myths.
CAMS professors win Liberal Arts teaching awards!
Laura Marshall is the recipient of the College of the Liberal Arts’s Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Line Faculty and Erin Hanses is the recipient of the College’s Outstanding Teaching Award for Teaching Faculty. Congratulations, Laura and Erin!
Grace Blaha selected student marshal in CAMS
Congratulations to Grace Blaha, our spring 2024 Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies student marshal in Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts!
Grace is the daughter of Martha and John Blaha of Los Altos, California. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Labor and Human Resources, a bachelor of science degree in Anthropology, and a minor in Jewish Studies.
Thad Olson promoted
CAMS’s own Thad Olson has been promoted to Associate Teaching Professor of Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies. Olson is known to students and faculty for his broad array of courses in the CAMS department (e.g., Greek and Roman civilization, Classical mythology, ancient warfare, Latin language, and more) and for leading the CAMS Rome summer study abroad program several times. Pictured here is the Jan 25 reception at the Hintz Family Alumni Center recognizing recently-promoted teaching faculty. Congratulations, Thad!
