Egyptologist Dr. Julia Troche and ancient history scholar Dr. Bryan Brinkman saw an opportunity to build scholarly community when the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences were recently formed.

The two RCASH faculty members have created Cultures and Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (CRAM), a “brown bag” forum series highlighting research and scholarship conducted by Missouri State University faculty.

“The idea is based on a lecture series of the same name from Brown University,” Troche explained. Both Troche and Brinkman obtained their doctorates at Brown.

“Having received our [doctorates] at an institution with a robust interdisciplinary institute for the study of the Ancient World, we sometimes miss that culture of intellectual exchange,” Troche said. “We also know our colleagues are active researchers and innovative educators and we want to learn about all of the amazing things they are working on.”

The series’ “brown bag” format allows faculty and advanced students to discuss their work in a collegial setting.

Although Troche and Brinkman are the two founding members of the series, they have enjoyed widespread support from faculty and administration.

“I applaud the initiative and I love seeing the energy build around Ancient Worlds scholarship and programs,” associate dean of the Reynolds College and professor of Spanish Dr. Jason Jolley said.

Scholarly emphasis benefits faculty and students

Sessions will emphasize scholarly research on the ancient Mediterranean world and will adopt four different presentation methods: the pre-circulated draft of scholarly research (articles, chapters, conference papers), oral presentations of work, research/challenge question feedback, and pedagogy/teaching presentations.

While most of the presenters will be faculty members, Troche pointed out that the forum will serve graduate and advanced undergraduate students quite well.

“Attending students will have unique opportunities for professionalization and networking,” Troche said. “Getting into graduate school is extremely competitive, and this would provide students with the chance to develop their professional relationships with potential letter writers or thesis advisors and to see what ‘real scholarship’ looks like in action.”

The series will begin in Fall 2023, meeting monthly on Wednesdays. Locations are yet to be determined. Those interested in presenting during the 2023 academic year should contact Dr. Brinkman.

Student interest inspires new certificate program in Ancient Worlds

Faculty members also created the Ancient Worlds certificate to complement the CRAM series and address student demand.

A team of several faculty, led by classics instructor Dr. Kristin Harper, developed the certificate program to meet student interest in ancient world topics such as art, language, religion and history, according to Troche.

“Unlike some other institutions, scholars and students of the ancient Mediterranean world at Missouri State are spread across numerous departments and programs. In the past this has led to some isolation,” Troche explained.

Housed in the Department of History, the certificate requires students to take four classes: two from a list of core courses and two from a large list of electives. “Courses are drawn from programs in history, culture, ancient languages (such as Greek or Latin), philosophy, religious studies and anthropology,” Troche said.

“We hope through [the CRAM] series to bring together faculty and researchers, just as the new Ancient Worlds certificate hopes to unite students with similar interests,” Troche said.