Department Head
Prof. Lisa Maurice, Head of the Department of Classical Studies
BA in Classical Studies from the University of Cambridge
Direct PhD in Classical Studies from Bar-Ilan University
How often do you get asked, “What can I do with a degree in Classics?” How have your answers evolved over the years, and what is your answer today?
Many people are interested in learning about the ancient world and are genuinely passionate about the subject, but they ask themselves, “What can I do with this degree? Where can I find a job with a degree like that?”
The truth is that there are many things you can do with a degree in classical studies. Some of these are directly related to the subject itself, but many others are unconnected to the actual subject but rather to the skills we acquire during our studies. Oftentimes, this field can even open doors: employers receive hundreds of resumes, most of which are quite similar to one another. When they suddenly come across an interesting, unusual, and even impressive detail, such as a knowledge of Latin or Ancient Greek, they stop and take a second look. Often, that’s all it takes to get an interview.
In addition, the skills we teach through Classical Studies prepare our students to perform many tasks in the best possible manner. Our graduates are critical thinkers, skilled in writing and public speaking; they are open-minded and highly curious.
You can combine classical studies in a double major with a wide range of subjects and fields offered at the university, and the knowledge and skills you gain from Classics only helps and complements those acquired in the other subjects. We teach the entire compass of the Greco-Roman world, exploring these civilizations throughout a significant and fascinating period. This knowledge allows us to employ a much more critical and profound view of our world today. Thus, a psychologist will be a better psychologist, a programmer will be a better programmer, and even an engineer will be a better engineer, if they have studied with us.
What attracted you to the field? Why choose classical studies in this day and age?
It’s quite simple! A fascination with the field and a passion for the subject! I grew up in England and studied Latin and Ancient Greek in school. For me, delving deeper into classical studies in my undergraduate degree was a natural progression. I completed my first degree at the University of Cambridge.
And why learn classical studies today? Here in Israel, as in England, where I grew up, we live in a land packed with history, filled with remains from when the Greeks and Romans lived and ruled here. The classical world is also the world in which the Jewish Sages lived – How can we understand the Mishnah without knowing the world in which its authors lived? Doing so is like trying to understand responsa about the Holocaust without understanding the background from which they emerged.
But beyond that, our field of study is simply remarkable! We deal with some of the most beautiful texts and works of art in human history, learn about the most intriguing periods in history, discuss philosophical works written by those who established this field of thought, and more. We even cover the Greek and Roman influence on our modern world – a field called “Classical Reception” – which reveals how relevant and vital the ancient world still is today. And as I mentioned earlier, studying an unusual subject, dare I say even a cool one, also makes a positive impression on people you will meet at all sorts of institutions, businesses, and points of life.
Perhaps the question we should be asking is – Why not study classical studies today!
What’s an interesting anecdote from your academic career that can shed light on the research in the field?
Three years ago, Dr. Ayelet Pe’er and I initiated a project for children with autism. We used classical mythology to help the children participating in the project cope with complex emotions. It was an emotional project for everyone involved, myself included. The words that touched me the most were those of the teacher, who wrote at the end of the project:
The hero’s journey exposed the children to a world that some were already familiar with and interested in. It allowed them to share their knowledge enthusiastically and actively participate in the meetings. The stories, adapted to simplify the complex emotions and accompanied by videos, captivated everyone, including the staff.
By connecting to the content and the emotional issues that were raised, it was possible to have an emotional conversation in which I encouraged the children to remember similar past situations and everyday experiences. The children opened up and shared difficult memories and experiences such as rejection, fear, and jealousy.
The emotions we discussed in the meetings were integrated into the classroom discourse, and I made sure to articulate them by name in different situations during the week’s lessons.
The journey, structured as an evolving game, created continuity that kept the children curious and highly motivated, week after week. The children made sure not to miss a meeting. There were occasions when one of the children could not attend and demanded that we repeat the meeting they missed.
We displayed the children’s art and the journey map on the classroom walls. Friends who came to the classroom were curious, asked questions, and the children explained. Children from other classes also wanted to participate in a “hero’s journey” activity like this. When journey was over, the children asked for another.
The journey was an unforgettable experience for me and the children.
What other academic fields do you think go best with classical studies? What is the added value of these combinations? What do graduates have to offer potential employers?
Of course, some academic fields have a clearer connection to classical studies, such as philosophy, history, archeology, English literature, and comparative literature. However, a wide range of fields, which at first glance seem to have no affiliation to classical studies, will also make an excellent combination. Criminology, for example, and anthropology, like classical studies, examine social behaviors and societal phenomena. In classical studies, we explore how similar topics were treated in ancient times and the influence of that culture on contemporary society. Even mathematics and computer science use ways of thinking and logic that are similar to those we use to study ancient languages. Psychology, which strives to understand human emotions, is a topic we delve into when studying ancient texts such as Greek tragedy. In fact, any field of knowledge can be relevant to our field because, in classical studies, we observe a whole civilization over a long period at the beginning of the history of Western culture.
What is unique about the department and Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Humanities?
Many things make our department unique, but it was one of our students who said it best when he spoke to prospective students on an open day: “It’s simply wonderful! The classes are the most interesting and enjoyable you can imagine. We even produced a play in the Drama Workshop course! We learned about Hercules and how the ancient world influenced Disney, and we studied Plato and Julius Caesar. The lecturers are all incredibly caring. I’m so glad I chose this department.”
His words were heartwarming, and I have nothing more to add!
What is the most important tool or skill that people engaged in the humanities should develop?
Curiosity! Without curiosity, it is impossible to start thinking, researching, and comprehending – in any field, but even more so in the humanities.
If we take a peek into your study, what interesting, perhaps surprising, object would we find there?
A laptop with two screens and lots of books, both ancient and modern texts and secondary sources – including my publications. In addition, a board with family pictures and my grandchildren’s drawings, funny quotes, greeting cards, and more...
