While Classics is the name traditionally given to the study of ancient Greece and Rome from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages, the Classics curriculum also includes opportunities to study diverse cultures around the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to read ancient literature both in the original languages and in English translation, and to explore the life and culture of antiquity. Several courses examine the reception of antiquity and its influential role in shaping the modern world. Students pursuing a major or minor in Classics are encouraged to study abroad in Athens or Rome.