The Ancient World (PhD)

Department Website

Program Description

Encompassing the ancient world from the western Mediterranean to East Asia, from the Neolithic to the early Medieval period, ISAW is focused on creating a new generation of scholars whose work crosses over the disciplinary boundaries of traditional departments. In this way, knowledge of the cultures, art, languages, religions, economic systems, and interactions of the ancient world can be deepened and expanded. Students have the opportunity to take research seminars, colloquia, lectures, and directed readings with the outstanding faculty within ISAW and NYU and at other universities and institutions in the metropolitan area. Additionally, the ISAW Visiting Research Scholar program brings in experts in a variety of fields from across the world who participate in the graduate seminars and present public lectures, serving as an additional vital resource for our students.

Students interested in incorporating scientific methodological work into their studies will benefit from a collaboration between ISAW and the Department of Scientific Research at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, including an introductory course on material studies and opportunities for student practica and research in the Met's world-class laboratories.

Courses of study are structured to suit individual strengths and interests in consultation with a small faculty committee arranged for each student. The program is recorded in a written ‘doctoral contract,' which may be revised by mutual agreement of the committee and the student as the student’s work develops. All students are supported by multi-year 12-month fellowships.

Furthering its goal of making connections across disciplines is ISAW’s strong sense of community. Daily communal coffee, lunch, and tea times offer opportunities for all students, visiting research scholars, and faculty to come together to discuss their research projects, classes, and experiences.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See Study of the Ancient World for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World
Select 8 credits from the following:		8
ISAW-GA 3030	Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World: Themes
ISAW-GA 3031	Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World: Periods
Research Seminar (taken 6 times, for a total of 24 credits)		24
Electives
Other Elective Credits		40
Total Credits		72

Additional Program Requirements

Foreign Language

Students are expected to have four appropriate foreign research languages at minimum. It is expected that most students will learn more, however, and additional languages will be specified in the “contract” for individual students. The supervising committee for a student may, where appropriate (for example, in the case of a student working mainly on preliterate societies), permit the substitution of a comparably demanding scholarly technical skill for one of the languages. Satisfaction of the language requirement will be demonstrated by examination or successful completion of a course at an appropriate level.

Teaching Experience

Students are expected to gain teaching experience of a minimum of two semesters. This experience may be gained in a combination of Core Curriculum courses and departmental courses. With faculty approval, students may substitute a semester of museum practicum for one of the two required semesters of teaching experience.

Comprehensive Exams

Students must pass comprehensive doctoral examinations, to be taken during the third year of study. These consist of an initial written component, followed by an oral examination. The examinations cover three subject areas to be discussed between the student and his or her committee and specified in the “contract” for the individual student.

Dissertation

Students must write a dissertation and do fieldwork as required by the dissertation. It is expected that most dissertations will require either archaeological fieldwork or research in archives and museums abroad.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

General Information

Students must enroll in one research seminar (4 credits each) each semester during the first three years, for a total of 24 credits. In addition, students must enroll in at least two Seminars on the Interconnected Ancient World, ISAW-GA 3030 Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World: Themes and/or ISAW-GA 3031 Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World: Periods (8 points). No other specific courses are required of all students. After the third year, such participation will be strongly encouraged whenever the student is in residence in New York. Students typically enroll in 30 credits in each of the first two years and 12 in the third year for the normal distribution of the 72 credits. The student’s supervising committee will have the authority to vary this distribution, however. Apart from the research seminars, these credits will come from the supervised independent study described above plus graduate courses or seminars. Only graduate-level language classes will be counted toward this point total.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
ISAW-GA 3030	Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World: Themes	4
Research Seminar		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
2nd Semester/Term
ISAW-GA 3031	Seminar on the Interconnected Ancient World: Periods	4
Research Seminar		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
3rd Semester/Term
Research Seminar		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	12
4th Semester/Term
Research Seminar		4
Elective Course		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	12
5th Semester/Term
Research Seminar		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	8
6th Semester/Term
Research Seminar		4
Elective Course		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	72

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GA 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will display:

1. Competence in a range of theories, methodologies, data and languages enabling studies crossing boundaries of time, place, and discipline.
2. Proficiency in oral and written communication concerning the ancient world.
3. Ability to make a significant and original contribution to the study of the ancient world.

Policies

Degree Time Limit

The minimum time to degree will be three years, of which a minimum of two years must be spent in residence at ISAW; one year of previous advanced study (with minimum of 18 credit hours and maximum of 23) may be credited toward the minimum time to degree. The total length of the course of study will depend on individual factors like needed fieldwork. The normal length is anticipated to be six years. 

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.