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Ancient Studies Courses 2025/2026 (TENTATIVE)
Note: This list of tentative course offerings for 2025/2026 is subject to budgetary approval and changes. Please check back on a regular basis for updates. For the most up-to-date information about courses, including classroom locations, check LORIS Browse Classes.
To make course registration easier, we have provided you with the course registration numbers (CRNs). You won’t have to search for each course one-by-one, which will save you a fair bit of time.
- Enter the CRN number of each course you wish to enrol in, in the boxes along the bottom of the course registration screen in LORIS.
First-Year Courses
- CRN: 4112
- Time: TR 11:30-12:50 p.m.
- Instructor: TBD
This course introduces students to peoples and cultures of the ancient world across several continents, including Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe prior to European imperialism and contact. These cultures may include the Kingdom of Mutapa, the Olmecs, Han China, Classical Greece and Rome, and the Celts. The focus will be on seminal characteristics and achievements in their respective historical, political, and economic contexts such as the burial of royal retainers, the development of writing, forms of worship including sacrifice, alignments, menhirs, and henges, and ziggurats and pyramids.
Second-Year Courses
- CRN: 2604
- Time: MW 1:00-2:20 p.m.
- Instructor: TBD
Mesoamerica defines a region of relative historical and cultural continuity that also contain distinct ancient civilizations. This course will examine the roots of pre-conquest Mesoamerican culture and its development, with particular focus given to the Maya and Aztec civilizations. Emphasis will be placed on architecture, religion, social organization, and values.
- CRN: 4116
- Time: MW 4:00-5:20 pm
- Instructor: TBD
Prior to 1800 Asia was the centre and engine of the global economy and boasted the longest life spans, the largest and richest cities, and the most sophisticated and stable governments in the world. This course examines the histories of China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and India at the height of their economic, military and cultural confidence. In addition, the course will study the major religious and political philosophies of the Asian world before significant European interaction.
- CRN: 1362
- Time: MW 10:00-11:20 a.m.
- Instructor: TBD
A survey of Greek history from the rise of the city-state to the empire of Alexander with emphasis upon the evolution of Athenian democracy and upon movements toward unification of the Greek cities. (Cross-listed with AR225)
- CRN: 1182
- Time: MW 8:30-9:50 a.m.
- Instructor: TBD
A survey of the development of Rome from its founding to the later Roman Empire. The emphasis is upon the unification of Italy, the growth of political institutions and the expansion of the Empire. (Cross-listed with AR226)
- CRN: 3263
- Time: TR 1:00-2:20 p.m.
- Instructor: TBD
There's more to Egypt than mummies and pyramids. Egypt can also be seen as a cradle of civilization. This course will provide an introduction to the rich and fascinating civilization of Ancient Egypt. Topics to be addressed may include Egyptian religious beliefs, developments in medicine and mathematics, social relations, burial practices, and warfare.
- CRN: 2605
- Time: TR 5:30-6:50 p.m.
- Instructor: TBD
- CRN: 4121
- Time: MW 2:30-3:50 p.m.
- Instructor: Dr. Judith Fletcher
This course explores how the ancient Greeks and Romans treated crimes such as homicide, assault, theft, adultery and perjury. Students explore the historical development of legal systems and penal procedures, the phenomenon of popular (informal) justice, ancient ideas about the causes and nature of criminality and the representation of crime in drama and literature.
- CRN: 3485
- Time: MW 4:00-5:20 p.m.
- Instructor: TBD
Genghis Khan has the reputation as one of the greatest warriors of all time. He was also the leader of the largest contiguous empire in history. This course will explore the rise of the Mongol Empire. Topics may include the horse culture of the nomadic tribes, relations with China, the Silk Road, religious accommodations, the character of the Mongol Empire and military tactics during the 13th century. {P,G}
Third-Year Courses
- CRN: 2990
- Time: MW 2:30-3:50 p.m.
- Instructor: Dr. Judith Fletcher
A survey of historical beliefs in the afterlife, covering the Ancient Near East, the Greco-Roman world, and Medieval societies. Topics may include the geography of the underworld, Mystery cults, Heaven and Hell, literary and artistic representations of the kingdom of the dead, ghosts, revenants, and reincarnation.
- CRN: 3273
- Time: TR 1:00-2:20 p.m.
- Instructor: Dr. Karljurgen Feuerherm
With the emergence of writing the mid-fourth millennium BCE, treasured tales began to be recorded and new ones composed in a variety of genres and for a number of purposes. Signature narratives from selected ancient Near Eastern cultures will be examined in light of their audiences' world view, including creation myths, legends, spells and incantations, and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Fourth-Year Courses
- CRN: 1440
- Time: MW 11:30-12:50 p.m.
- Instructor: Dr. Karljurgen Feuerherm
This seminar investigates selected topics in the history and culture of the Ancient World.{P}
- CRN (fall): 1092
- CRN (winter): 1445
Directed study and research on a topic appropriate to the student’s specialization and chosen in consultation with the faculty supervisor. Students in the single honours History BA program who receive departmental permission to take this course must also take two 400-level seminars (either two readings seminars or one readings seminar and one research seminar). Students in the combined honours History BA program must also take a 400-level readings seminar.