Doctoral Program in the Ancient World

Encompassing the ancient world from the western Mediterranean to East Asia, from the Neolithic to the Early Medieval period, ISAW is focused on creating a new generation of scholars whose work crosses over the disciplinary boundaries of traditional departments. In this way, knowledge of the cultures, art, languages, religions, economic systems, and interactions of the ancient world can be deepened and expanded.

Students have the opportunity to take research seminars, colloquia, lectures, and directed readings with the outstanding faculty within ISAW and NYU and at other universities and institutions in the metropolitan area. Additionally, the ISAW Visiting Research Scholar program brings in experts in a variety of fields from across the world who participate in graduate seminars and present public lectures, serving as an additional vital resource for our students.

Students interested in incorporating scientific methodological work into their studies will benefit from a collaboration between ISAW and the Department of Scientific Research at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, including an introductory course on material studies and opportunities for student practica and research in the Met's world-class laboratories.

Courses of study are structured to suit individual strengths and interests in consultation with a small faculty committee arranged for each student. The program is recorded in a written ‘doctoral contract,' which may be revised by mutual agreement of the committee and the student as the student’s work develops. All students are supported by multi-year 12-month fellowships.

ISAW is a center for advanced scholarly research and graduate education, which aims to encourage particularly the study of the economic, religious, political and cultural connections between ancient civilizations. It offers both doctoral and postdoctoral programs, with the aim of training a new generation of scholars who will enter the global academic community and become intellectual leaders.

In an effort to embrace a truly inclusive geographical scope while maintaining continuity and coherence, the Institute focuses on the shared and overlapping periods in the development of cultures and civilizations around the Mediterranean basin, and across central Asia to the Pacific Ocean. The approaches of anthropology, archaeology, geography, geology, history, economics, sociology, art history, digital humanities, and the history of science and technology are as integral to the enterprise as the study of texts, philosophy, and the analysis of artifacts. The Institute's Director and permanent faculty determine particular directions of research, but both historical connections and patterns, as well as socially illuminating comparisons, will always be central to its mission.