How many History majors focus on Ancient History?

Question

I saw a demographic of history majors recently, but I would like to know how many of them focus or specialize on ancient history.

Answer 1

I am about to graduate college and one of my majors is History.

At my college we don't have a ancient focus. Often times colleges will classify ancient history/lit as "Classics." This major can often be found and from my experience, where this is offered they don't always offer this ancient focus.

If you are interested in history as a major and would like to focus on ancient studies, you may want to look at "Classics" as well.

Since there is a break down between Classics and Ancient History the statistics may not be accurate. I have not seen a break down. I know most in my college either focus on Modern Euro hist or American Hist... with different specific focuses in each.

Answer 2

Give "Ell" the credit: the language requirements, demands are brutal, but such a hieroglyphics is not all that hard, but add in Hebrew and such and that is why most are in Anthropology areas (archeology). Frankly German is rather useful.

See it here everyday: folks trying to treat Latin as a literal language and expect translations to be offered, out of context,
but a "good" historian requires no real knowledge of Latin or Greek, as such knows to check the translations in different sources.

My point is that small % are those who can bridge the different disciplines as to 'see" the important points and issues. There must be a modern quote like "if you cannot read Latin, keep out of Rome"?

Good fun for all.

BTW: I do not "accept" the concept of "Ancient History" as valid for such as the study of anything before Caesar except in a historical framework: as also a sociologist, unless one is trained in the classical languages. Oh, I have the "D" in Latin.

Answer 3

I have a perspective on that which is somewhat difference from what the above answerers said, since i am a german history major (Master).
I'd say about 5 - 10 % specialize in ancient history.Keep in mind that history can be divided in up to 20 disciplines (contemporary, new, postmedieval, medieval, egyptian, byzantine, asian, hispanic, earliest (stone age) history and so on.)
Specializing in ancient history usually requires expert knowledge of latin and hellenic greek, which is why many students stay away from it.Plus, its (in my opinion) pretty boring, hence the guess about 5 - 10%

Hope I could help.

Answer 4

As a history major getting your BA or BS, you don't get to formally focus on one aspect of history. You have to take so many credits in various catagories of history. The only way to informally focus on a certain historical place or period would be to take all of your history electives, (once you fill up your required historical catagories you usually still need extra credits in your major, in this case history), in certain classes.

You formally focus on a certain aspect of history, (sometimes), when you get your MA and (always), when you get your Phd.

At least, this is what it was like for me. I focused on aspects of 20th Century History.

Answer 5

I majored in history. It is strongly urged to pick an a'rea. I did not. I choose random topics 'french revloution' 'russia from 1990 to today', 'american culture circa 1900-1990'...


most focus on a history if they want to teach or go on to further schooling like a doctors. I just wanted to know so I was accross the board and honestly it doesn't matter either way. It is all about what you want to do with that degree. I have a more legal approach since graduating - i am a paralegal- but right now like working in financial aid in education.

do what you like.


ps - i get paid a lot less than paralegal but i enjoy helping kids persue their dreams so I do like my financial aid job.

you need to ask what is your goal? money, talent, skill, happiness???

great question babe! you are going !

Answer 6

anyone with a 6 yr history master degree can teach world history 101