Introduction to the Major
The Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (AGRS) major is an opportunity to explore Mediterranean antiquity in the company of a diverse cohort of undergraduates. AGRS professors are renowned for innovative scholarship and dedication to undergraduate teaching. Students explore multiple disciplines within the ancient Mediterranean world including archaeology, literature, philosophy, and many more. The major can be completed in English or include the study of Greek and/or Latin language. Students develop their own personalized program of study in close consultation with our advising team.
“Classics [now AGRS] courses push you to explore, be creative, and interpret….Also, they have the best professors.”
- Jake Quinn, Classics Alumnus
The AGRS Community
Being a part of AGRS is to be connected with a community at Berkeley and beyond:
- AGRS hosts gatherings and lectures.
- Our student club, The Classical Forum, connects students from multiple majors.
- Our advising team includes a professional advisor and two faculty advisors. Students have support in course planning, student life, career exploration, and navigating the university.
- Get to know our graduate students who lead discussion sections and teach some language courses. Learn directly about graduate education.
Amplify Your Major
- Participate in archaeological field work with an AGRS professor.
- Learn research techniques by assisting a professor through a URAP position.
- Achieve a broader perspective on AGRS through study abroad.
- Expand your knowledge of an AGRS subject by pursuing honors in the major.
- Publish your work in the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Take a Freshman Seminar with an Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (AGRS) professor.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in AGRS 10A or 10B (Greek or Roman civilization) or AGRS 17A or 17B (Greek or Roman archaeology).
Connect and Build Community
- Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
- Sign up for the AGRS undergraduate email list and start attending department events.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
- Visit a professor or graduate student instructor during office hours. Discuss assignments and ask about studying the ancient Mediterranean world.
- Read the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
- Start Greek or Latin with an elementary course.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Sign up for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) if eligible.
- Join the Classical Forum and explore student organizations related to your community or hobbies.
- Discover new interests in a student-run DeCal course.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Talk to your major advisor about careers for AGRS degree holders.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Apply for a work-study position and learn about working at a university.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Declare the AGRS major.
- Take an upper division AGRS class such as “The History of Hell,” “The Roman Economy,” or “The Trojan War: History or Myth.”
- Look into Berkeley Study Abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Get involved with the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
- Check out departmental resources from AGRS.
- Attend the Sather Lecture series.
- Connect with a research librarian and learn to use the vast library resources.
Discover Your Passions
- Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Develop research skills in HUM W101: Research Bootcamp.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator and Tang Center counselor.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Attend an Internship Fair and discover other ways to find one for summer.
- Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Review degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Ask your major advisor about the AGRS honors program.
- Begin preparing for archaeological summer field school in Nemea or Rome.
Connect and Build Community
- Work with peers and graduate students in HUM 196: Mentored-Research and Discovery Groups.
- Join the Society for Classical Studies.
- Consider submitting your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
Discover Your Passions
- Do research in the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP).
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
- Attend the annual Pritchett Lecture hosted by Ancient History & Mediterranean Archaeology (AHMA).
Engage Locally and Globally
- Volunteer to represent AGRS at an event.
- Study and intern in government with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
- Apply for a department travel award to support study, travel, or excavation abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Sign up for LinkedIn and join the AGRS Group.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
- Shadow alumni during a winter externship.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses.
- Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
- Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Become an editor of the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics.
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach an AGRS DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Students majoring in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies acquire the skills and develop the discipline to succeed in graduate study as well as many different fields, including business, law, tech, and education.
Jobs and Employers
- Art Institute of Chicago - Assistant Curator
- AV Squad - Editor
- Behavior Educ. Service Team - Clinical Sup.
- Cartoon Network - Mgr. of Development
- Centers for Disease Control - Fellow
- Charles Schwab - Senior Specialist
- Deloitte and Touche - Tax Consultant
- Dept of Veterans Affairs - Nurse Practitioner
- Far Western Anthro.l - Archaeologist
- Doc. Tracking Svcs. - Dir. of Translation
- J. Paul Getty Museum - Curatorial Asst.
- LA Kings - Director, Hockey Admin.
- Law Office of K. Peterson - Principal Attorney
- LADWP - Electrical Engineering Assoc.
- National Geographic - Dir. of Dvlpmnt.
- Pacific Boychoir Academy - Latin Teacher
- Pixar - Systems Analyst
- Preservation Arts - Conservator
- The Nielsen Company - Sr. Analyst
- UCLA - Graduate Teaching Fellow
- ZBiotics - CEO
Graduate Programs
- Art and Archae., PhD - Columbia Univ.
- Classics, PhD - UCSB
- Philosophy, PhD - UCLA
- Philosophy, PhD - Brown Univ.
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April. AGRS hosts an information table with current students and faculty. There is an AGRS presentation as well.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students. Attend an AGRS event to explore the major.
Events
AGRS has special events and lectures throughout the year. Check out dagrs.berkeley.edu and sign up for our mailing list to be notified.
Advising
Meet with Undergraduate Advisor Cassandra Dunn:
- Schedule and appointment via Calendly
- Email: cassandrajj@berkeley.edu
- Phone: (510) 642-3672
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
